Her Story
About Shima
Shima Shojae is a senior electrical engineering, transmission, substation, power systems, utility infrastructure, and engineering consulting professional with experience in high-voltage substation equipment, facility development, project scoping, system studies, technical evaluation, design review, procurement support, construction coordination, commissioning, grounding analysis, arc flash studies, and utility standards compliance. She currently serves as Senior Electrical Engineer for Transmission and Substation Facility Development at LCRA. Her background includes senior engineering work with BC Hydro, consulting through Saman Systems Engineering, electrical design engineering with Phasor Engineering, and electrical contracting support for HTEC Hydrogen Technology and Energy Corporation. She earned her master's degree from the University of British Columbia in 2015 after completing her Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Technology. Since 2020, she has held a Professional Engineering designation with EGBC in British Columbia and is planning to obtain her PE license through the Texas Board of Engineers and Surveying. Shima attributes her success to accepting challenges, staying on course when things get difficult, putting in extra effort, seeking advice when needed, and finding solutions rather than giving up. She values discipline, professionalism, respecting boundaries between her roles as a single mom and engineer, trust, healthy communication, and loyalty to her path and company.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shima
01What do you attribute your success to?
I accept challenges and stay on course when things get hard. I put in more effort, ask around if I don't know something, and do my best to find a solution and resolve the challenge rather than giving up. That aspect of my personality has helped me grow and become who I am today.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Stay within a path and do not jump around. Sustainability helps you grow in a specific area and become an expert. Stick to the same industry as much as possible and build everything strongly rather than jumping from here to there, while still keeping knowledge updated on related areas like data centers and renewables.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be confident and brave. Promote each other. Be willing to make more effort to prove yourself as a woman in a male-oriented field. Maintain open communication with team members to clarify things professionally rather than getting emotional or personal. Having more women in the field, especially in leadership, helps adjust the environment.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Male domination is still present, especially in power system construction. It may take more time and effort as a woman to build trust during site visits or meetings. There is room for improvement by having more women graduate from engineering schools and choose the field to build up the women community.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Discipline, professionalism, respecting boundaries between roles (as a single mom and engineer), trust, healthy clear communication, and loyalty. Loyalty to a company means sticking to the path, learning, developing skills, promoting the company, sharing knowledge, and improving the community.
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