The school motto for St Augustine Girls’ High School is ‘Per Ardua ad Astra’, which is a Latin phrase that means “through adversity to the stars.”
And it’s a phrase that Dr Priya Marajh still uses as a guiding principle in her life today.
While Marajh said she did not face any significant hurdle in her academic pursuits the same could not be said about her work success.
“I am grateful that I did not face major challenges in my academic pursuits. I went to St Augustine Girls’ High School where we were always encouraged and taught to excel in whatever we sought to do.
“Even at the university level, I can safely say that I was fortunate to have lecturers that were very encouraging and supportive. Also, both in high school and university I had the support of my parents and friends, which was imperative. My one little challenge was that I was a bit of an introvert throughout my academic life. I was able to eventually use this to my benefit though as I was always very focused and was not easily distracted from my studies.”
After secondary school, Marajh did her law studies through the University of London and the University of Staffordshire.
“When I was in high school and even in university, I really did not envision a career in the energy sector. What I did have was a mindset that I did not want to be pigeonholed into one particular area of study and I think that mindset has afforded me to have a diverse career which includes working in energy but also lecturing at the University of the West Indies in the field of International Relations.”
Marajh has been making waves in the energy industry.
She is currently a director at Touchstone Exploration Inc, and at TOSL Engineering Ltd, along with being the vice president at the Energy Chamber of T&T.
“Work success had some hurdles along the way but none that were insurmountable. The energy sector remains one of the least gender diverse sectors. So as a woman that wants to assume leadership roles within the energy sector you have to sometimes be prepared to be the only female in the room and you have to be prepared to make a space for yourself where that space may not be readily available.
“What I have found is that you have to ensure that you are always willing to speak up and have your voice and opinions heard. You would not excel in any industry if you sit on the sidelines, but for women in male-dominated industries, it is even more crucial to know and say exactly what you want and to voice your opinion.”
Generally, however, Marajh does not think about challenges.
“I am always focused on the opportunity to succeed. At a young age my father made it very clear to me that work that was well done will be rewarded. He cultivated in me from a very young age, the importance of consistency and hard work and this has stuck with me throughout my career. I’ve always worked for what I wanted, and I am confident that this approach, regardless of gender, is a golden rule. Whatever challenges pop up, it’s just an opportunity to find strategies and solutions to overcome them.
“With that being said I can tell you what actually worked well for me during both academic pursuits and my career advancement, and that was having excellent mentors who were always willing to listen and offer advice when needed. I think we underestimate the power of mentorship and the value that it can bring in advancing your career. I have had the support of strong women who cheer on and give advice and I have also had strong male mentors who had a wealth of experience who were always willing to share knowledge and to encourage me on my journey.”
Growing up as a teen, Marajh said she was very introverted.
“Back then I did not really know what an introvert was. I just knew I was a little different and did not fit the role of being the traditional outgoing high school teenager. Most other teenagers and adults I interacted with could not understand why I was happiest alone reading a book or why I could only bring myself to hang out with one or two friends at a time. But I always had this need to recharge and reflect. At some point, I wondered if something was wrong with me!
“It took me a while to realise that I was simply an introvert, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. However, there are a few things I wish I could tell my teenaged self one of them being that you will find your way without compromising what you believe in or changing who you are. As you get older you will find ways to use your introverted nature to enrich your career and relationships. Also being introverted does not mean that you are shy or insecure in who you are, instead, it allows you to develop quiet confidence, which in my opinion exudes self-assurance and strength in a way that is respectful but impactful.”
Marajh said finding balance in life is really about knowing what you want and knowing what your priorities are.
“I don’t think balance requires sacrifice and I think that balance means different things to different people, and the meaning of balance would also change depending on where you are in life. What I do have is a really strong support system in my friends and family and that has afforded me the opportunities to find balance. I think having a strong support system at home is crucial in achieving balance, we have to move away from thinking that there are prescribed roles for men and women, it really is about doing what you can to support each other.”
Marajh said her goal is to get more involved in giving back in meaningful ways.
“As such I have been looking at getting involved in working with NGOs that are focused on getting young women more involved in the energy sector through education and providing them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the energy sector. I am focused on doing this through mentorship, career guidance, and providing opportunities for training and development. I would like to ensure that the work I do now and in the future results in greater awareness of the role that women can play in bringing new ideas and different solutions in an energy sector that is undergoing a significant amount of change.
“I want to influence changes that will transform the energy sector so that women in leadership positions are seen as the norm and never as the exception.”
Marajh said for her International Women’s Day is a day for the celebration of the accomplishments of women and a reminder to us all that we need to promote women at all levels.
“It affords us the opportunity to raise awareness around discrimination and to promote gender parity. It serves as an annual reminder of the women that have blazed a trail for us all, which empowers our generation to take up a place of leadership and encourage those that will come after us.”
