Woman of many talents - Multifaceted Khashanti Campbell at home in the lab, nail shop and kitchen

In the intricate tapestry of life, some individuals stand out for their remarkable versatility and sheer determination.

Khashanti Campbell, 25, embodies this ethos, a woman whose journey through various spheres of expertise reveals a remarkable resilience and an indomitable passion for creativity and innovation. A chemical engineer by profession, Campbell is no stranger to the complexities of science and mathematics. Her journey into engineering began with a deep-rooted passion for numbers, ignited during her formative years.

Reflecting on her early aspirations, she recalled, "I was so enthusiastic about math, I felt myself absorbing everything in Mr Johnson's class so I decided to go that route because the love for it would continue." However, her path soon diverged into a realm where mathematics intersected with a myriad of other disciplines.

"I wanted to switch when I got into the technicalities of it because by this time, it wasn't just math, it was applying the principles of math, chemistry, physics, and even economics to efficiently design, develop, and operate processes," she explained.

Yet, amid the rigours of academia, Campbell discovered another facet of her personality, a creative spirit infused with a zest for expression. Creativity permeates every aspect of Campbell's life, from her passion for nail artistry to her culinary pursuits. She is a self-taught nail technician and cook. She utilises the former skill to supplement her income, while the latter is only for family at the moment. But she is not shy about showing off her handiwork with either. She reflected on one occasion where her artistic side potentially spared her from having to retake a course. The group she was in procrastinated until the 11th hour on a project, only realising belatedly that they were given a month to complete it.

"We realise say this ya project ya come fi kill we," she laughed. After the group's requests for an extension were ignored by the lecturer, she wrote a poem to her, which persuaded the lecturer to grant the extension.

"I get excited for problem-solving. I like the challenge so that is where doing the nails integrates with my engineering abilities, constructing certain styles and designs to fit different personalities and finger shapes," she explained.

But behind every successful journey lies a support system that fuels the drive of ambition. For Campbell, it was the unwavering encouragement of her loved ones, especially her mother that propelled her forward. For example, it was her mother who bought her the necessary tools for her nail artistry. Despite facing challenges along the way, including the untimely passing of her father, she persevered, driven by the memory of the pride he took in her achievements.

"He was always proud of what I was doing and spoke about me in a positive light. He didn't get to see me at the finish line," she shared with a touch of nostalgia.

Yet, despite her multifaceted talents, Campbell, like many of her peers, faces the daunting challenge of securing permanent employment in her chosen field of engineering. Campbell, who graduated from the University of Technology, Jamaica, last year, got intern experience at Jamaica South Power Company, where she is occasionally asked to help out. But a full-time stint is yet to materialise. Undeterred by the current landscape, she remains optimistic, believing that perseverance and strategic decision-making will pave the way to success.

"We are finding it hard to attain jobs in the field," she acknowledged. "But I am hopeful that within a year, opportunities will present themselves."

Until then, Campbell is determined to continue honing her skills and inspiring others to do the same.