The University’s School of Engineering recently celebrated 20 years of delivering the Insight into University outreach programme (previously known as Headstart), with another successful event for 30 secondary school pupils interested in exploring STEM studies at University.
An education programme delivered in partnership with the Engineering Development Trust (EDT), Insight into University provides students who visit Liverpool with the chance to find out what it would be like to study Aerospace Engineering, and to experience student life by staying in the accommodation on campus.
During their visit, participants were supported by a team of current students and graduates as they worked in teams on engineering related activities, took part in traditional lectures and lab classes, and had the chance to try out the University’s flight simulator. They also met former participants who have now graduated, where they learned about the wide range of career opportunities that STEM subjects can lead to..
This year we were particularly pleased to welcome back two participants from the first course that took place in 2003. Dr Garnet Ridgway and Oliver Kinsey-Jones both went on to study Aerospace Engineering at the University of Liverpool, and Garnet continued his studies by completing a PhD with the School of Engineering.
Also helping out was Josh Panikkar, who took part in the programme in 2009. Josh studied Aerospace Engineering with Pilot Studies, and has returned as a mentor every year since 2015.
Josh said: “Since graduation I have worked as an Engineering Manager at the Ministry of Defence and am currently on Secondment to NATO supporting the Eurofighter Typhoon Programme in Germany as an Avionics Software and Cyber Specialist.”
“Taking part in the programme while at school gave me my first experience of life at University and what it might be like studying a degree in Engineering. I started mentoring as an undergraduate in 2012 and have been coming back every year since graduating to mentor and provide career guidance to the participants and undergraduate helpers.”
“It made a huge impact on where I wanted to study, and if it wasn’t for the programme I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Dr Mark White, who organises the programme at Liverpool said “Each year the students produce high quality work and this year was no exception. I have to thank our graduates for their support as mentors and acting as role models in the careers session.”
“There are now Liverpool graduates who have participated in the programme who are working at organisations such as the Ministry of Defence, Accenture and QinetiQ, and having them coming back to talk to the new students is a big help in informing them about future careers prospects.”