WHAT and WHO inspired you to become an engineer

I was one of the few girls at my convent grammar school (St Bernard's, Westcliff-on-Sea) who really enjoyed Maths and Physics (and English and Geography because we had wonderful teachers).  I thought the electricity part of the 'O' level course lacked something (as did the chemistry course, but that's beside the point). So I spoke to a friend (Derek, a young man, seven years older than I was) who lived in our road; he was an electrician, and lent me his books: I was hooked. The result was that I loved the electricity part of 'A' level Physics better than the rest, so electrical and electronic engineering were the obvious choice. I built a wireless during my 'A' level years - with a "transistor"!!! This was 1961 to 1963 when transistors were just taking over from valves for some uses. I should add that my teachers encouraged me in this unusual calling. A friend from my primary schooI had been accepted for Northampton CAT, so I applied the following year and was accepted. By this time N CAT had become The City University. In 1969 I was the only female to graduate from the faculty of engineering, although four other young women had started with me.

I was one of the few girls at my convent grammar school (St Bernard's, Westcliff-on-Sea) who really enjoyed Maths and Physics (and English and Geography because we had wonderful teachers).  I thought the electricity part of the 'O' level course lacked something (as did the chemistry course, but that's beside the point). So I spoke to a friend (Derek, a young man, seven years older than I was) who lived in our road; he was an electrician, and lent me his books: I was hooked. The result was that I loved the electricity part of 'A' level Physics better than the rest, so electrical and electronic engineering were the obvious choice. I built a wireless during my 'A' level years - with a "transistor"!!! This was 1961 to 1963 when transistors were just taking over from valves for some uses. I should add that my teachers encouraged me in this unusual calling. A friend from my primary schooI had been accepted for Northampton CAT, so I applied the following year and was accepted. By this time N CAT had become The City University. In 1969 I was the only female to graduate from the faculty of engineering, although four other young women had started with me.