By Naomi Shinda
Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Trainer
“Every learner I encourage reminds me that knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared.”
My name is Naomi Shinda, and my journey in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) began in a way I had never planned. When I joined university, I was pursuing an undergraduate degree in Education because my dream was to become a teacher. However, life took an unexpected turn when my parents could no longer afford the university fees. I had to leave that path and join a technical college, one of Kenya’s national polytechnics.
My uncle suggested that I study Mechanical Engineering, specialising in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. At first, I wondered how this new direction would lead me towards the dream I had always held. Teaching was still my passion, and refrigeration was not the career I had imagined for myself. Nevertheless, I chose to embrace the opportunity and give it my best.
Something changed when I began learning how refrigeration systems worked. I became curious about the mechanisms inside a refrigerator and how the different components worked together to produce cooling. That curiosity gradually grew into genuine passion. I discovered that I enjoyed understanding the systems, solving technical problems and developing practical skills.
I worked hard and became the best student in my class. In 2015, I was among the few students who graduated with a Diploma in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. What had started as an unexpected change had become a field in which I could see myself growing.
After graduating, I gained practical experience as an intern with one of the leading Coca-Cola bottlers in Kenya. This opportunity helped me strengthen my technical skills and understand how HVACR knowledge is applied in an industrial setting. I later worked as an HVACR technician at a private technical college.
These experiences deepened my understanding of the trade and confirmed that refrigeration was more than a course I had taken because circumstances had changed; it was a profession I wanted to build my future around.
Even as I worked in the technical field, my original dream of becoming an educator remained alive. I therefore enrolled in a degree programme in Technical Education, specialising in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. This allowed me to bring together two important parts of myself: my interest in the practical work of refrigeration and my desire to teach and guide others.
My career then took me to Turkana, in the northern part of Kenya, where I worked as a trainer in a public technical college in a very dry region. After three years, I was transferred to a national polytechnic in another region, where I continued serving as an HVACR trainer.
Today, teaching refrigeration and air conditioning gives me the opportunity not only to share technical knowledge, but also to continue practising and developing my skills.
One of the most rewarding parts of my journey is training young men and women and helping them prepare for their own futures. I love developing and mentoring HVACR technicians because I understand that a change in circumstances does not have to mean the end of a dream.
Through different training opportunities, I have continued learning and have also had opportunities to train others. Every learner I encourage reminds me that knowledge becomes more valuable when it is shared.
When I look back, I can see that what first felt like a setback became a doorway to a career that combines technical practice, education and mentorship. My journey has taught me to remain open to new opportunities, work hard and trust that an unexpected path can still lead to meaningful success.
My message to young women, especially those considering technical careers, is simple: do not give up when your plans change or when the road becomes difficult. Remain focused on your goal, be willing to learn and give yourself the chance to discover what you are capable of.
You may begin in an unexpected place, but with determination and commitment, you can build a future you are proud of.
My refrigeration journey is proof that sometimes a different route can lead us to our purpose.
Local voices. Global connections. One HVACR community.
This article was contributed by Naomi Shinda for Global HVACR Women Week 2026, taking place from 25–31 October.
It forms part of our Local Voices — Speak Up. Write Now. series, in which women share their experiences of working in HVACR and the connections that have made a difference along the way. By sharing these stories, we hope to help others find people they can learn from, exchange ideas with and support.
What connection has made a difference to you? We welcome contributions from women across HVACR, wherever you work and whatever stage of your career you have reached. Your story does not need to be long or polished—a simple experience could help someone else take their next step.
To share your story or find ways to take part, contact info@worldrefrigerationday.org
