For Alma Gaso, becoming an engineer was never part of the plan. Growing up in Popondetta, Oro Province, she did not dream of working with complex machinery or leading engineering teams in one of Papua New Guinea’s largest energy projects. Yet today, she is doing exactly that — proving that sometimes the best opportunities are the ones we never see coming.
As the world marks International Women in Engineering Day, ExxonMobil PNG is celebrating women like Alma whose dedication, skills, and leadership are helping keep the PNG LNG Project operating safely and efficiently.
“I never planned on becoming an engineer,” Alma says with a smile. “Life just took me down this path, but I enjoyed the journey and I like where I’ve landed.”
That openness to new experiences has defined her career.
The second of three siblings and the only engineer in her
family, Alma joined ExxonMobil PNG in 2015 as one of just two women in her graduate engineering intake. Since then, she has built an impressive career that has taken her from technical engineering roles in Papua New Guinea to commercial and supply planning positions in Singapore, where she spent two years on an international assignment.
Today, she serves as Machinery Engineering Lead, a role that combines technical expertise, leadership, and problem-solving.
To explain what she does, Alma uses a simple comparison.
“Machinery engineering is like being a doctor, but for machines,” she says. “We diagnose problems, fix them, and make sure everything runs at its best.”
What she enjoys most is solving problems.
“The exciting part is troubleshooting. It’s like being a detective, piecing together clues to find out what’s wrong and how to fix it.”
While engineering presents technical challenges every day, Alma says some of her biggest personal challenges have been learning to trust her own voice and speak up with confidence.
“I’m still working on it,” she admits. “But I’ve become more comfortable sharing my perspective.”
For Alma, those moments matter because they represent growth.
“They might seem small, but they show progress.”
Beyond her own success, Alma is passionate about encouraging more young women to explore careers in engineering. She believes opportunities and exposure can make a huge difference, especially for girls who may never have considered engineering as a career option.
She points to programs such as ExxonMobil PNG’s Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day, which help young women see what is possible and build confidence from an early age.
Alma knows firsthand how important encouragement can be. Throughout her career, mentors and colleagues have helped guide her journey, providing support and advice when she needed it most.
Today, she hopes to do the same for others.
“I want my work to improve safety, efficiency and performance, but I also want to inspire others to step outside their comfort zones,” she says.
Asked what advice she would give to young girls considering a future in engineering, her answer is simple.
“Be curious, be adaptable, and don’t limit yourself.”
Her story is a powerful reminder that engineering is no longer a field defined by gender. Across Papua New Guinea and around the world, more women are stepping into technical and leadership roles, helping shape industries and drive innovation.
For Alma Gaso, the journey may have started by chance, but her impact is anything but accidental. Through determination, continuous learning, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities, she is helping pave the way for the next generation of women engineers.