Sombto Ibe

Somto Ibe

Somto Ibe

Engineer, Renewable Energy

Enbridge

Created On: July 19, 2021
Sector:
Engineering
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Chemistry,  Environmental Science,  Alternative energy,  Climate change,  Sustainability,  Math,  Physics,  Technology & Engineering

Learn About My Career

Somto Ibe is responsible for ensuring that wind turbines and solar panels operate safely.

I was born/grew up in: Benin City, Nigeria. I grew up in several cities across Nigeria including Lagos, Ibadan and Kano.

I now live in: Calgary, Canada.

I completed my training/education at:  Chemical Engineering (CO-OP) with a minor in Management at University of Ottawa.

I work out of the office (now my home since COVID-19) and every week is a little different. I work alongside other engineers, including electrical and mechanical engineers. We each look after different parts of the wind and solar facilities. While reviewing data, sometimes I will notice a problem with a piece of equipment. Often I will have to work with other engineers and technicians on site to fix the problem.

Math and physics are very important in the type of work that I do, especially statistics. There's also a lot of creativity involved. We often have to think out of the box to solve a problem. As an engineer, I make decisions based on facts and data. Safety is my number one priority. I have to make sure that whatever decisions I make do not put any person or thing at risk.

In high school (in Nigeria), I planned to become a doctor. Both my mother and grandmother worked in healthcare. It seemed like the obvious thing to do. Also, I was afraid of math.

When I came to Canada, I was too young to enter university. I completed Grade 12 again. My teacher, Mr. Cressman, helped me fall in love with math. He also encouraged me to study engineering. I picked chemical engineering but I still planned to go to medical school when I completed that degree.

In my third year, I had an internship with an energy company. This experience caused me to fall in love with engineering! I knew I wanted to work in the energy sector. I encourage everyone to consider co-op or internship programs. They are a great way to find out what you like and what you don’t like. My internship with an energy company helped me decide to become an engineer!

I like the fact that my job allows me to work on a variety of exciting projects. My work is never boring. Some days, I'm working as a 'detective' and looking through tons of data to try to solve an issue with a piece of equipment. I enjoy looking through data to solve problems!

Other days, I'm preparing reports to present to senior managers. Some days I'm creating a safe work procedure so that we can train new folks. There's never a dull moment! I appreciate that about my work.

Most of all, I love that I work in the energy sector. I’m helping provide the electricity people want and need in a clean and sustainable way. I also like the people I work with and the company I work for. To me, those things make a huge difference and make me excited to come to work.

I find my work with wind turbines and solar farms to be very rewarding. I help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save the environment. At work, the other engineers and I ensure that our wind turbines and solar panels are operating in the best shape. The helps them produce clean energy to power our daily lives.

I love exploring all my interests and talents. In a typical weekend or evening, you can catch me reading African historical fiction, volunteering to promote STEM activities or at a local food bank, narrating an audio book, trying a new recipe, cycling or trying new arts and crafts like making jewelry.

Two pieces of advice: 1) Stay curious and ask lots of questions. 2) Be afraid but do it anyway! Engineering may seem like a scary program to study but it's not. With practice, anyone can learn to fall in love with, and excel at, math and science.

What I do at work

I work out of the office (now my home since COVID-19) and every week is a little different. I work alongside other engineers, including electrical and mechanical engineers. We each look after different parts of the wind and solar facilities. While reviewing data, sometimes I will notice a problem with a piece of equipment. Often I will have to work with other engineers and technicians on site to fix the problem.

Math and physics are very important in the type of work that I do, especially statistics. There's also a lot of creativity involved. We often have to think out of the box to solve a problem. As an engineer, I make decisions based on facts and data. Safety is my number one priority. I have to make sure that whatever decisions I make do not put any person or thing at risk.

My career path is

In high school (in Nigeria), I planned to become a doctor. Both my mother and grandmother worked in healthcare. It seemed like the obvious thing to do. Also, I was afraid of math.

When I came to Canada, I was too young to enter university. I completed Grade 12 again. My teacher, Mr. Cressman, helped me fall in love with math. He also encouraged me to study engineering. I picked chemical engineering but I still planned to go to medical school when I completed that degree.

In my third year, I had an internship with an energy company. This experience caused me to fall in love with engineering! I knew I wanted to work in the energy sector. I encourage everyone to consider co-op or internship programs. They are a great way to find out what you like and what you don’t like. My internship with an energy company helped me decide to become an engineer!

I am motivated by

I like the fact that my job allows me to work on a variety of exciting projects. My work is never boring. Some days, I'm working as a 'detective' and looking through tons of data to try to solve an issue with a piece of equipment. I enjoy looking through data to solve problems!

Other days, I'm preparing reports to present to senior managers. Some days I'm creating a safe work procedure so that we can train new folks. There's never a dull moment! I appreciate that about my work.

Most of all, I love that I work in the energy sector. I’m helping provide the electricity people want and need in a clean and sustainable way. I also like the people I work with and the company I work for. To me, those things make a huge difference and make me excited to come to work.

How I affect peoples’ lives

I find my work with wind turbines and solar farms to be very rewarding. I help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save the environment. At work, the other engineers and I ensure that our wind turbines and solar panels are operating in the best shape. The helps them produce clean energy to power our daily lives.

Outside of work I

I love exploring all my interests and talents. In a typical weekend or evening, you can catch me reading African historical fiction, volunteering to promote STEM activities or at a local food bank, narrating an audio book, trying a new recipe, cycling or trying new arts and crafts like making jewelry.

My advice to others

Two pieces of advice: 1) Stay curious and ask lots of questions. 2) Be afraid but do it anyway! Engineering may seem like a scary program to study but it's not. With practice, anyone can learn to fall in love with, and excel at, math and science.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • Business & Economics
  • Geography
  • Literature and Language Arts
  • Home Economics
  • Foods & Nutrition
  • Science
  • Technology

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Brought People Together
  • Liked helping people
  • Was motivated by success
  • Liked being given specific instructions
  • Engaged in volunteer activities
  • Liked reading
  • Was really creative
  • Felt great satisfaction in getting good grades
  • Wasn't sure what I wanted to do
  • Learned Best by Doing

Related Topics

Careers Careers 9 Chemical Engineering Climate Change Engineering Green Economy Management Renewable Energy SDG7-Energy Sustainability Sustainability Wind Power

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen