2021 Annual and Sustainable Performance Report

Malaysian-born Sharifah is 26. After graduating as a Process Engineer from ENSICAEN (the national school of engineering and research) in Caen, she completed her internship at Arkema and was offered a permanent job in Malaysia. “As a Process Engineer, I work under the supervision of a Senior Engineer to monitor processes and help solve problems. It’s stimulating and also challenging. Working in a factory requires safety and security management, which are aspects of the job that my studies didn’t prepare me for!”

But in her working relationships, the key word is calmness. “My colleagues are very helpful and always remember that I’m just a young graduate. Of course, by the end of the day my head is bursting with information as there’s so much to learn! But I feel supported by the management team and the people around me. And, I’ve just been offered training in project delivery. It’s very rewarding.”

Being a woman in a male-dominated environment is not a problem for her. “Firstly, because I’m the only girl in my family so I’m used to living with my brothers in a male environment, and, more importantly, because I know that Arkema has firm rules and robust policies that protect us from discrimination. The engineering sector remains male-dominated but this doesn’t cause me any problems at work.”

As a Muslim, Sharifah wears the traditional headscarf, again without any apprehension. “In Malaysia, Islam is the main religion and it’s common to wear a headscarf. However, some of my friends have to take theirs off for work. Arkema lets me choose, which is great. I just have to make sure I wear a cotton scarf to avoid any kind of fire hazard, and it must be knotted simply so it can be taken off quickly.”

Sharifah is looking to the future with enthusiasm and confidence, supported by the HR team which is “always willing to find a practical solution to any request.” She is extremely committed and preparing for an international career - and why not! She even plans to spend a few years at Arkema France. Nothing would make her happier than to go back to France, “to relive the simple things that I enjoyed, like going to the bakery in the morning and buying a croissant!”