“My ambition with engineering is to make a real difference to people’s lives. I couldn’t wait to come to university to study engineering.”
With a passion for engineering running through her family history, Gemma Maynard hopes to work in developing countries and make a positive impact on communities. As an MEng (Hons) Civil and Coastal Engineering student, this ambition is now within Gemma’s reach.
Gemma’s appetite and enthusiasm for engineering is long running in spite of socioeconomic barriers, with an outstanding achievement record throughout her education.
Unlocking the potential of talented students like Gemma is a high priority for Stephen Ball, alumnus and former CEO of the great engineering firm, Lockheed Martin UK. Stephen understands that with the right support and guidance, students like Gemma can become world-changing engineers.
Working with the University, Stephen is championing the Tamar Engineering Project, a scholarship that provides financial support and one-to-one industry mentoring for engineering students. This mentoring will lift the non-academic skills of the project’s recipients, boosting their confidence, business acumen and networks, and employability.
The project supports up to five selected engineering students each year to receive support throughout their degree course. Gemma’s application was selected from a pool of high-calibre candidates.
"When I found out I had been accepted I was ecstatic. I was really looking forward to all the opportunities it was going to bring me and how much it was going to help me develop my career as a civil engineer," said Gemma. "I am most looking forward to the mentoring side of it, to gaining insight and knowledge that not many others will get… learning from their years of experience."