In a tale of perseverance, resourcefulness, and determination, Nour Al-Rammah, a young Saudi female engineer, defied expectations and found her place in the male-dominated environment of GE Power, despite lacking a formal engineering degree. Her journey to success not only shattered stereotypes but also led her to write a comprehensive 400-page manual, “Nour’s Book,” to help others without technical backgrounds pursue careers in one of the world’s largest companies.Born and raised in France, Nour returned to Saudi Arabia after 17 years and settled in Riyadh. She pursued a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a focus on marketing and finance at Al-Yamamah University, a decision that initially seemed disconnected from her future career at GE Power. She confessed, “When I studied marketing at university, I expected to land in a marketing company, doing some public relations, marketing, and advertising. But I ended up in an engineering company.”Her path to GE Power was far from straightforward. Nour aspired to join the company’s elite leadership program, a prestigious opportunity that selects only one candidate in the Kingdom each year. However, she faced rejection in her first application, primarily due to the program’s stringent engineering background requirement.Before her encounter with GE Power, Nour took on a sales and commercial internship with the company, despite her limited knowledge of its operations. She was enticed by the opportunity, driven by her familiarity with the company’s logo and the significant role GE turbines played in generating Saudi Arabia’s electricity.Reflecting on her internship, Nour shared, “Today in Saudi Arabia, we have more than 500 GE turbines that generate over 60 percent of the Kingdom’s electricity. I could not reject such an offer. I wanted to explore the opportunity, and I do not regret my decision.
“Once her internship concluded, Nour’s commitment to GE Power deepened. She was determined to secure a permanent position within the company, and she embarked on a remarkable journey to achieve that goal. To solidify her place, she penned “Nour’s Book,” a comprehensive manual designed to demystify all things related to GE for individuals lacking an engineering background.Her inspiration for writing the book was twofold. First, she aimed to gain entry into GE’s competitive Commercial Leadership Program (CLP) despite her non-engineering background. She refused to let this obstacle hinder her progress and used the 400-page technical handbook to accelerate her learning curve, successfully navigating the program. As a result, her book became a key resource for newcomers, and it is now distributed to every new GE employee as a valuable manual.Secondly, Nour wanted to ensure her knowledge and experience were shared with those joining the company, from trainees to full-fledged employees.
She desired to leave a legacy and make it clear that anyone, regardless of their educational background, could excel in the power business. To compile the book, Nour simplified technical language, shared insights from internal courses, and consulted GE engineering experts for clarity whenever needed.Nour Al-Rammah currently holds the position of a commercial manager at GE Gas Power. Despite being the only woman on her team, she has never felt inferior to her male colleagues. She emphasized the strong sense of equality she experiences in the workplace, describing her colleagues as supportive and empowering.”When I ask for help, they always give me (more) than what I ask,” Nour said. “If I need any explanations, they share documents or connect me to the right person. In meetings, my points are always taken into consideration. When I make mistakes, they correct me without leaving me intimidated or they call me after the meeting and correct me. They make sure that I always do better.”
She also highlighted the evolving landscape of opportunities for women in today’s Saudi Arabia, encouraging ambitious ladies to pursue their goals. Nour’s remarkable journey serves as a testament to the possibilities that await those who are determined, regardless of the challenges they may face.In a world where perseverance, resourcefulness, and determination can open doors to new horizons, Nour Al-Rammah’s story stands as a beacon of inspiration for aspiring professionals, particularly women, seeking to break barriers and make their mark in traditionally male-dominated fields. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of ambition, knowledge-sharing, and the unwavering belief that, with dedication, any dream can be realized.
