In our pursuit to address the gender gap in STEM fields and uplift young women from disadvantaged backgrounds, SI Leeds, within the SIGBI Federation, collaborated with Leeds Beckett University to establish a three-year scholarship program. This initiative, aimed at empowering aspiring individuals, has already made a transformative impact. Laura, a recipient of the scholarship pursuing Occupational Therapy, shares her inspiring journey from doubting her educational path to achieving newfound confidence and success.
‘At SI Leeds we decided we wanted to try to end the gender imbalance in STEM careers and support young women from deprived backgrounds to supported throughout university. We thought that a good way to do this was by the use of scholarships and together with Leeds Beckett University set up a 3-year scholarship programme. Members of SI Leeds interviewed the short list drawn up by the university and selected our recipient.’
Laura, is studying Occupational Therapy and has these words for us.
“I left school in 2008 with only a C in maths, strongly believing that education wasn’t for me. I struggled academically and later realised I had undiagnosed dyslexia. For many reasons, I never believed that university was possible for me, that it was something other people could strive towards, but never me. I later began working in the NHS as a clinical support worker with the initial hope of progressing into nursing.
However, a few years in I became a mum and my priorities and goals shifted. Once I discovered where I wanted my career to go I had to start from the beginning. I gained an English GCSE, completed an access course, and was finally accepted into university. It meant so much to receive this scholarship. I’ve been able to completely focus my studies, and it really took away some of the financial pressures I faced while juggling my role as a single parent.
I’ve gained so much confidence in my first semester at Leeds Beckett and overcome so many of my own worries and fears about studying in higher education. The Soroptimist International of Leeds Scholarship has allowed me to purchase equipment to create a dedicated study space whilst working from home, which has really helped me to continue my studies flexibly and comfortably outside of the university environment. I’m so very grateful to have been chosen for the scholarship, and it has had a huge impact on my life this year. Thank you so much to Soroptimist International of Leeds for this opportunity!”