Shini Somara: What did you study and why?
Rebekah Reavell: Last year I finished my Motorsport Engineering Masters at Oxford Brookes. Before that I completed a Bachelors in mechanical engineering with automotive at Leeds. At my all-girls school, I was encouraged to study English and Economics A Levels because I enjoyed reading, but halfway through, I decided to change career direction and follow my passion for automotive racing. I still had to complete the A Levels I had chosen, but then went on to do a Foundation year in Engineering to get into university.
During my teenage years, I had no clue what engineering was about. I thought engineers just built buildings and bridges, which did not interest me at all. Careers advisors suggested following the subjects we enjoyed. No girls from my school had chosen engineering for their further education – it was simply not on our radar. When I made the decision to change careers, I had to do so much of my own research...