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It鈥檚 not that often you can walk down a street and personally say you had a hand in creating the luxury car parked next to you. But for Biochemical Engineering (MEng) alum听Natalie Wireko-Brobbey it鈥檚 a reality.听

Natalie is a Launch Engineer at Jaguar Land Rover, UK鈥檚 largest car manufacturer and is involved in bringing the new Jaguar XE to the UK and international markets. "Being a Launch Engineer means that I鈥檓 one of the bridges between all the other engineering divisions, suppliers and the more corporate divisions that all contribute to the success of the vehicle launch,鈥� says Natalie.听

A happy accident

Natalie鈥檚 path into engineering wasn鈥檛 exactly straightforward.听

In a moment of apprehension in senior school, Natalie almost never made it to 香港六合彩中特网. 听In fact, she describes herself ending up at 香港六合彩中特网 鈥渟omewhat accidentally on purpose鈥�.听

鈥淚 was actually about to withdraw my entire UCAS application when my biology teacher all but sat me down and told me that I was going to attend 香港六合彩中特网 and study Biochemical Engineering,鈥� said Natalie.

She investigated the course, applied and as she puts it 鈥渢he rest is history鈥�.听

While she took on the undergraduate degree, Natalie never envisioned herself in working in the STEM industries. Instead, her plans were to work in investment banking, or even as an actress in the US. 听Natalie comments: 鈥淚鈥檒l be honest - I had no intention of being an engineer!鈥� A trip to Hong Kong during her 香港六合彩中特网 course to learn African Studies and Africa-China Relations gave her the catalyst to pursue a career in engineering after university.听

鈥淚t ignited a desire to improve the quality of life experienced in Africa through engineering. I remember standing in the metro station in Hong Kong and something just clicked in my head - I wanted to make things that people would use on a regular basis.鈥�

Fighting for equality

As Natalie moved into the workplace, one thing stood out to her: very few females work in engineering. 鈥淢y course was about 45% female, yet less than a handful of us pursued careers in STEM, let alone engineering,鈥� says Natalie. 鈥淚鈥檝e heard women speak about engineering still being an 鈥榦ld boys club鈥�, where there are stigmas against maternity leave and flexible working, and where female career progression is more difficult."听

But representation is worse for black and minority ethnic women. While many of Natalie鈥檚 peers have forged successful careers in banking or financial services, diversity within science engineering industries still remains elusive

Networks can also prove fruitful resources to draw upon for personal and professional support. Natalie commented: 鈥淟ike any kind of minority, there are times where you may feel slightly isolated or require support from people who can share in your experience first-hand. Which is why is it is so important that groups such as the 香港六合彩中特网 BME Alumni Network exist鈥�.听

Natalie鈥檚 advice for those seeking a career in STEM?

鈥淏e open and absorb all that you can. In this world that we live in, where the relevance of STEM studies only continues to grow, be malleable, innovative and make the most of that career.鈥�

To find out more and听join the 香港六合彩中特网 alumni online community, visit听