Her Story
About Onjeinika
I am an engineer by trade who started technical writing right out of college. I write proposals for government and public institutions focused on facilities like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems. Previously I worked as an assistant editor for The Military Engineer journal. I self-published a memoir five years ago to help women heal from difficult relationships with their mothers after losing my own to breast cancer. My passion for writing comes from my mother who wrote poetry and a fourth-grade teacher who introduced journaling.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Onjeinika
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my upbringing and my grandmother who raised me and my sister, instilling values of hard work, saving, kindness, and thinking of others. She taught me to never give up. I also have a strong faith and believe spiritually I wouldn't be able to do all I did without God.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I received was at my NC State commencement when a professor told us to always be learning in your role and to be generous. If you want to move to another level, train and work with the person who will step into your shoes so you can comfortably move forward while helping someone else. It keeps you humble.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Recognize that your voice is important. Even if you are the only one or in a male-dominated field, remember your voice is valuable and needed. Don't be afraid to speak up, even if you make a mistake, because you are in the room for a reason.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The challenge is the learning curve since I am still new to proposal writing, having been fully immersed in this specific role for under 2 years. The opportunities are amazing because there is a growing need for communicating technical concepts well, and once I master the jargon there will be lots of opportunity to grow.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value integrity, honesty, and transparency. I also value boundaries, making sure people have downtime and are not pushed too hard. Kindness is important, taking time to think about other people rather than running over them to reach an end goal. Being in the moment and not rushing because some things take time.
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