STUDENT VOICE AUTUMN 2016 | Page 23

NASA Engineer Sarah Murray Women make up a very small proportion of engineering, technology and construction courses in Scottish colleges and universities. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FEMALE STUDENTS WHO ARE IN MALE-DOMINATED COURSES BENEFIT FROM SUPPORT SUCH AS: Social contact and support particularly at particular points in their educational experience Contact with women working in the field Careers advice and links with industry Ayrshire Connects is a mentoring network for female STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) and construction students across the College to connect to each other, to students in other colleges and universities, to employers and women in the industry sectors they aspire to enter, and to senior pupils in secondary schools across Ayrshire. AYRSHIRE CONNECTS WILL PROVIDE: Opportunities to meet female students in similar situations to reduce isolation and build confidence Contact with women professionals providing role models of successful career development Opportunities to build links with industry and potential employers Student members of Ayrshire Connects will decide on future events. For more information or if you would like to get involved please contact: [email protected] THE STUDENT VOICE EDITION 7 23