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News: Ada Lovelace Day — Fiorella is smashing stereotypes

Please note: This news story may contain information that is no longer current or up to date.
Engineering student Fiorella
Engineering student Fiorella

Ada Lovelace lived in the 1800's and is regarded as the very first computer programmer in history! Every year on the second Tuesday in October, it's Ada Lovelace Day - a celebration of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). We spoke to one of our engineering students to find out how she feels about choosing a STEM subject.

Fiorella is originally from Venezuela, and she moved to Nottingham with her family in 2017. She completed Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations earlier this year and is now studying a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Engineering.

Some people think that engineering is not a career for girls and that kind of stuff, but I can prove they are wrong! 

 — Fiorella

Fiorella told us about about her experience of being a young woman in engineering

She said: ​“My Level 2 course was an amazing experience, I learned a lot of new things like welding and designing 3D objects with a computer. I learned something new every day.

“Some people think that engineering is not a career for girls and that kind of stuff, but I can prove they are wrong. I think it depends on every person, what they believe they can do, because as hard as something looks, if you put some effort in you can do it! The only one that can determine your limits is you.

“I used to study in a school just for girls, and I knew that in this career area there would be a lot of guys in the classroom. So it was a bit scary at first, but once you go to College you notice all of them treat you really well, and also they respect you.”

Fiorella has big plans for the future, and is using the engineering course as a pathway to reach her potential.

After my course in College I am planning to go to university and study robotics engineering, and I feel that this Level 3 course will really help me to get there. 

 — Fiorella

You can find out more about Ada Lovelace Day at the dedicated Finding Ada site.

Published on:
  • 7th October 2019 (4:28 PM)
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