Our next alumni Kent Diamond is Kelly Princess Shungu. Kelly was recently selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering in recognition of her award-winning podcast dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in STEM. Hear from Kelly:
“I’m Kelly Princess Shungu. I graduated from the University of Kent in 2019 with a degree in Electronic Communication Engineering and since then, I’ve been working full-time as a Hardware Engineer in the Aviation & Aerospace industry which I absolutely love.
Alongside my engineering career, I’m also the founder of the Women In STEM Podcast – a multi-award-winning platform dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in STEM from around the world. The podcast has grown into a truly international community and has led me to some incredible opportunities, including being invited to speak on stages around the globe.
I’ve recently launched the Women In STEM Community, a non-profit which is the next evolution of the podcast through which I’m focused on hosting events, building community, and inspiring the next generation of women in STEM.”
Tell us about being named as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering.
“Being selected as one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering was one of the greatest honours of my career.
My podcast had already won two international podcasting awards, so to be recognised for this alongside my work as an engineer here in the UK made it even more meaningful. It felt like a full-circle moment of being seen across everything I do.
The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Institution of Civil Engineers and being in that room surrounded by so many leading women in the field was truly something special.
I feel immensely proud of all my work and the journey that brought me here.”
What are some of your favourite memories about Kent?
“The University of Kent will always hold a special place in my heart.
There was something magical about being in the student bubble that felt safe, vibrant, and full of energy. It was my first time living away from home and I really fell in love with campus life.
Some of my fondest memories are of staying late in the library during revision season, spending long nights in the engineering labs working on projects, and regularly visiting the careers fair to keep my CV sharp and make sure I was ready for life after graduation. Kent really shaped who I am both professionally and personally.”
What advice would you give to Kent students?
“Having a vision of where you want to be in the next two to five years is powerful – it’s never too early to start planning. I decided I wanted to be an engineer at 14 and having that direction kept me focused through every challenge I’ve faced so far.
I’d also encourage students to use their time at university to experiment and explore. Just because you’re studying engineering doesn’t mean you can’t join an arts society or a debating club. University is the perfect time to discover who you are beyond your subject.
Finally – to all students – your future self will thank you for visiting the careers fair!”
What’s next for you?
“I’m really excited about the next chapter.
The Women In STEM Community is a natural evolution of my podcast, which will enable me to host more events, continue to build community, and share valuable knowledge.
A recent event I hosted at Somerset House in London brought together four incredible speakers, seven workshops, and a CV clinic. We were even joined by more than 30 students from the University of Kent. Seeing that kind of energy in the room reminded me exactly why I do this work.
I’m also continuing to grow the podcast and working towards further international speaking engagements, all while pushing forward with my engineering career. There’s a lot to come, and I can’t wait to share it!”
You can keep up with everything Kelly’s working on here:
The Kent Diamonds campaign recognises the students, staff and alumni that make Kent shine. Learn more about our Kent Diamonds and our other 60th Diamond Anniversary celebrations.