A university level Engineering student from Solihull College & University Centre is blazing a trail for women in the industry after winning a special award at the College’s Graduation ceremony.
Mia Sandham always wanted to get into electrical engineering and design after falling in love with the subject when she completed a project in Year 9.
After finishing school, Mia followed her dream and enrolled at the College’s Woodlands Campus – she is now on her university level course as part of her level 6 apprenticeship at AtkinsRéalis. She comments: “I was undeterred by the fact I was heading into a very male dominated industry. To be honest, I used that as a strength, a reason to push harder to achieve my goals.”
Mia has dyslexia, but says she see it as an opportunity: “I sometimes have to think outside the box and see things from a different perspective, which isn’t a bad thing. Things take me longer, but I just put in more effort to get great results.”
She also found time during her time at Solihull College & University Centre to become a student rep and said she wanted to make a positive impact on her own education and that of others in her class.
Mia was awarded the Pearson Award at Graduation. Her tutor, Graham Cornwell, comments: “Mia was an outstanding student, who was friendly, focussed and enthusiastic with great attention to detail. Her work was always a more advanced level and detail than required and she showed excellent depth in knowledge and understanding of any subject being studied.”
The College is proud to be lead partner of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Institute of Technology GBSIoT. IoTs focus on the specific technical skills needs required in their area. They provide employers with a skilled workforce and students with a clear route to technical employment.
