In recognition of International Women’s Day, we are celebrating the women who are integral to our Company’s operations.
Derika Furbert: Engineering Technician, T&D
Derika has been with BELCO for almost 17 years, having started in July 2006 as an Engineer-In Training. During her training, Derika had the opportunity to spend time in a majority of the various departments at BELCO to gain an understanding of how each one works and works hand in hand with the other. She has for the most part been on the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) side of BELCO’s operations and spent some time in the Operations Centre doing Data Analysis.
Ongoing training and professional development are important parts of working at BELCO and Derika has completed several training courses over the years, toured a few of BELCO’s vendors’ manufacturing plants and she is currently being supported with her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and Professional Engineering designation.
As a member of the Events Committee, Derika enjoys the satisfaction of knowing everyone enjoyed the events that the Company hosts. She believes bringing staff together for events is an important part of creating teamwork and said when she first started at BELCO there wasn’t a committee in place and attendance at certain events was dismal.
Derika’s favourite part of her job is project design and execution. She said: “I really enjoy being on site with the various contractors and other utilities, Works & Engineering, the municipalities, etc. when we undertake shared initiatives. My favourite things about BELCO are that no day is alike in the T&D space as well as working with my colleagues.”
One of Derika’s career highlights was designing a meter switch that is UL listed and that has become an inventory item at Milbank and is currently in use by BELCO.
While confirming that her field of expertise is predominantly male and has often been referred to as a “boys club” and feels that this has definitely impacted her career growth when seeing others who have started after her and have progressed faster, she said: “However the experiences that I gained as I had to prove myself, and still at times have to, those experiences can never be replaced, both the good and bad.”
When asked if her gender had held her back or been held against her in her working life, Derika said: “My gender has definitely held me back and to some extent been held against me during my working life. When I became a mother – it wasn’t viewed favourably. I had to regroup, reflect and make decisions about staying in this field. I could have easily walked away but I would have never had the sense of accomplishment and another opportunity to use my degree to this extent in Bermuda.”
As far as the strengths she brings to her job, Derika believes that working in other industries before starting at BELCO was a huge asset. She also credits her family for instilling in her the drive to do things correctly the first time and prides herself on being as thorough as possible in all that she does. Indeed, family is most important to Derika, and she spent a considerable amount of time with her grandparents and great aunt prior to her death.
Derika was born in Bermuda but spent several years living in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Somerset Primary in Bermuda and Peace Lutheran, St. Ambrose Academy and Remus Robinson Middle School in Detroit. On returning to Bermuda, she attended the Berkeley Institute and spent a few years studying at Bermuda College before attending New York Institute of Technology in Manhattan, Old Westbury and Central Islip campuses and Pace University Manhattan, New York.
Derika holds a BSc in Electrical Engineering and an MSc in Telecommunications. She has also completed the ILM Level 3, Applied Project Management Certificate, Professional Certificate of Competency – Substation Design (Main Equipment), Professional Certificate of Competency – Power Distribution, iLex Certificate in Vocational Paralegal Studies and Immigration Legal Training.
Outside of work, Derika is a member of the Sandys Secondary Middle School Board of Governors. She will also participate in St. Baldrick’s this year in honour of her Great Aunt who recently passed. She also enjoys taking her daughter to her activities and doing a few DIY projects at home and is also studying for a few exams. Derika enjoys spending time with her friends, dining out, listening to live music and moments of solitude. She was also a former Miss Tourism and enjoys volunteering.
While Derika didn’t have any women mentors specific to her profession, during her career she cited several women who have guided her when she needed advice on matters, women including Ms. Jocene Wade, Ms. Rozy Azhar, Ms. Brenda Smith, Mrs. Pamela Hodgson, Ms. Ngadi Kamara, Ms. Andrea Daniels, Ms. D. Wilson and an honorable mention to Mrs. Albertha Waite, Mrs. Belinda Wright and Mrs. Maria Ming.
As far as advice or encouragement for other women looking to get into her profession, Derika said: “The only advice I can give is that the utility industry is not for the faint of heart – you have to be committed to it and if you are willing to do the work, as the road is not easy, the greater accomplishment of self is the reward. Do not be discouraged. But if this area of Engineering is for you, there is a world of opportunity that awaits.”
Derika is clear on her continuing career path and says that in 5 years she will have obtained her PMP, PE and CEng. In 10 years, she aims to be in a management role and in twenty years she will be looking forward to retirement, serving on several Boards, continuing with community service and possibly becoming a Member of Parliament.
Working at BELCO has also helped Derika grow professionally. She commented: “I have grown tremendously! I had a slight disadvantage coming in as at the time my school was focusing on more electrical and computer engineering, so I was one of the last to obtain an EE degree with limited power courses offered. Participating in the EIT programme really opened my eyes to the industry. I got hands on experience reading meters, cleaning engines, spending time in procurement, working shift work, working with the folks in the plant, linesmen, jointers and fitters – it has had a huge impact on how I view my day-to-day tasks. That foundation was priceless. This is an industry of continuous learning.”
As far as what the future holds for Derika at BELCO, she said: “I am looking forward to being a part of the evolution of BELCO with alternative energy and other technologies being added to the mix. The way we operate is changing and these are exciting times ahead as no one knows exactly what the future of energy production and usage will be.”