Spotlight on the Women of Bristow: Joy Tanimowo

In honor of Women's History Month, Bristow shines the spotlight on Engineer Joy Tanimowo from our Lagos base in Nigeria.

Talk about your role at Bristow and what you are currently working on?

I’m currently a Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) in Lagos, Nigeria. I work on the line and base maintenance of the Sikorsky S-76D and S-92A aircraft, which includes fault rectification before and after flights, as well as scheduled inspections for aircraft airworthiness.

What is a recent success you’re particularly proud of?

Being able to juggle work, family life and other extracurricular activities which helped me discover that I have innate strength I never knew existed, and also that I can multitask in a way I never dreamed possible. Navigating the uncertainty and unique obstacles of the pandemic together with my co-workers was challenging, but we worked together to develop creative solutions.

What in your background prepared you for this assignment?

Having an engineering background helped a great deal in preparing me for this role. I also learned attention to detail and resilience from my experience as a service advisor in engineering.

What are some challenges you’ve faced in your career? How did you overcome them?

Building a career in a male dominated profession – especially at the beginning – was challenging yet fulfilling. With God’s help through hard work, resilience and support from colleagues and superiors, I have built a solid career and earned the acceptance of my industry and peers. Striking a balance between work and family demands is challenging, but with a very supportive spouse (who is also my number one fan), I have achieved a balance that makes me happy.

Who inspires you (Work, personal and/or historical)?

The women who broke the bias and carved a niche for themselves in their professions inspire me greatly. Professor Dora Akunyili (Former NAFDAC Director General) and evangelist Kathryn Khulman were driven by passion to overcome challenges and shortcomings and establish high standards in their chosen fields.

I learned the value of integrity in business and how there is no shortcut to success from my mum and grandma, who were successful retailers in consumer goods based on the trust they built for their brand with their customers.

I respect Bristow’s own Engineer Joy Ekeruche as a trailblazer in her field, and I’m truly inspired by her.

What advice do you have for women just beginning their career?

Give it your best shot! Being among the best requires passion, intelligence, resilience, self-motivation and the ability to multitask, so put everything you can into achieving success. It’s hard work, but worth it to achieve your goals!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy reading historical and motivational books and spending quality time going on vacations and watching movies with my family, and visiting friends and extended family members.