Hi Again everyone,

I want to first say a HUGE thank you to all the students who voted for me as their winner!!! It really means a lot to me to know that you found value in what I had to share with you all.

Also a thank you to all the other phenomenal engineers in the Kelvin zone, I enjoyed reading over your answers learning about your respective areas.

There were some stellar questions from lots of the students and plenty of head scratchers that I had to think quick on my feet in the chats for.

In particular one question that stood out to me was during a chat, one student asked if having ADHD meant it was harder to become an engineer, initially we want to be positive and say of course not but in reality yeah it did.

However, we all have things we find difficult and everyone has a different mountains to climb. As a woman in stem with a neurodiversity I had plenty of difficult moments in my journey and found certain obstacles very tough to overcome but I had plenty of strong role models before me who showed me how to believe in myself and where to get the help I needed.

So while yes my ADHD made some stuff super tough to do, once I set my mind to it AND put my hand up for help I’ve achieved every goal I’ve set so far (even if there were some detours along the way)

Speaking of detours though, to quote James Joyce “ sometimes the longest way round is the shortest way home”, and I can for sure say it has been the most exciting and colourful. I am very fortunate to have had a super interesting journey to where I am.

Coming from an apprentice electrician to now a Technical Architecture specialist with Accenture. I am so lucky to have taken a path that has gifted me so many opportunities to learn and develop a broad range of skills. The importance of my early days as an apprentice have shaped the engineer I am today which is why I am working on a way to use the money to help showcase apprentice routes into engineering. I hope that this money can go towards opening more doors for another young person to find their passion and to pursue a very rewarding career path.

For those interested in apprenticeships you can find out more on the Generation Apprenticeship site or check out introductory courses like the TU Dublin Access to Apprenticeship program to help get their start into one.

The AtA team work extremely hard to help the young people realise their true potential and get their start into the highly rewarding world of skilled trades and crafts. The rising tide lifts all boats and I hope that this money can go towards helping them open more doors for another young person to find their passion and to pursue a very rewarding career path.

Once again a big bualadh bos ó gach duine and remember, you can do anything as long as you put your hand up for help and ask LOADDSSS of questions!!!

Stay curious
Aisling Lee 😃

Kelvin Zone winner