You've helped Jess through an incredibly challenging year
Jess is one of 22 scholars to benefit from the Women in Engineering Scholarship, which aims to support women to inspire other women into STEM roles.
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This year I achieved 68% overall, which I was extremely proud of and especially because it's been the most challenging year of my life so far.
In January 2016 I had an accident, and although I could walk around, I could no longer play sports or run. I had an operation in December 2016, and had a never-seen-before complication, which caused my right leg to be stuck at a 30 degree angle.
I couldn't walk and had the devastating experience of being told I would be in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.
In April, after research by the surgeon, she decided there wasn't anything else that could be done but to do another operation. I was told it was unlikely to work. It was a miracle that I woke up with my leg still in one piece. I had to keep it in a CPM machine, where you get your leg strapped in and the machine bends and straightens your leg constantly, 24/7 for eight weeks.
It was the most challenging thing I have ever experienced, but it was worth it to have the chance of walking again. I couldn't go out anywhere because the machine wasn't portable; it was extremely painful and I couldn't sleep because it was so uncomfortable.
After November, I missed the rest of my second year at university, which itself was very upsetting. I was determined to have a try at my exams because I didn't want to do another year, I didn't want this injury to stop me from doing my degree. On June 21st I got the 'you’re good to go back to work' from my surgeon, and five days later I started a summer internship with Jaguar Land Rover. I worked 40 hour weeks whilst also trying to catch up on all the uni work I had missed during the year, and revise for my exams which were the first week in September. So, even if I got 100% next year, I still wouldn't be as proud as I am of getting 68% this year.
The scholarship was a life-saver.
Because I had a yearly contract for the rent on my house at university, I still had to pay for it, even though I was at home because I was sick for most of year. If I was relying on job money to pay this, I don't know what I would have done.
Following my summer internship at Jaguar Land Rover, I have been offered a place on their graduate scheme next September for when I graduate. I have always wanted this job so I am thrilled to be offered it! The summer internship really made me realise that I am ready for the world of work and to start the next step in my career. I'm excited to use all the things I've learnt at university to contribute to the development of Jaguar Land Rover vehicles!
Women in Engineering is a huge talking point for me. I think that although lots is being said about it, not enough is being done to encourage girls to choose a career in this field.
More women studying engineering is a huge passion of mine (I write a blog called Girls in Engineering) and I know the scholarship has really motivated me and encouraged me.
It sends out the image that the university and the scholarship sponsors think that it's a worthwhile cause, and that women have the potential to be the best in the field, even though some people still don't think women are equal to men.
Thank you to my donor for giving me a scholarship!
It's given me the confidence to think that I've got a chance at a great career, and encourages me to try things that I would have been too nervous to do before.
Pictured above: more scholars from the Women in Engineering Scholarship Programme 2017
