Charlotte Kenyon and Olivia Wilson, both 18, are in the first year of their degrees and two of six young female students in the UK who will be chosen to receive the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary this year.
The Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary offers funding of between £3,500 and £7,500 per year to a female student planning to attend one of the three universities which neighbour its three UK Development Centres, including the University of Edinburgh, Kings College London and Churchill College in the University of Cambridge.
Students from households with an annual income under £42,620 are eligible for the bursary.
“We’re incredibly passionate about discovering and inspiring the next generation of innovative female leaders and the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary is one of a number of ways we’re keen to help young women around the UK achieve their STEM career ambitions” said Doug Gurr, UK Country Manager, Amazon. “I’d like to congratulate Charlotte and Olivia for being awarded a bursary and thank Churchill College in the University of Cambridge for their continued support with the programme.”
As well as the bursary helping with Charlotte and Olivia’s living costs over four years of their degree, Amazon will also provide mentoring on business skills like CV-building and interview techniques, as well as a potential work placement at Amazon’s local Development Centre.
Amazon’s Cambridge Development Centre houses research and development (R&D) teams working on a range of projects that serve customers around the world including:
- Amazon Devices including Echo voice-controlled speakers and the Amazon Cloud Cam
- Amazon Alexa, the brain that powers devices such as Amazon Echo, Echo Dot and Echo Show
- Prime Air, Amazon’s future delivery system designed to safely get packages to customers in 30 minutes or less using small unmanned aerial vehicles
- Core machine learning and retail systems, improving the shopping experience for Amazon customers.
Charlotte, who is studying general engineering, says her parents played a big part in her choosing a degree in engineering.
“My mother is a chemistry teacher and my father is an engineer so I think being exposed to those subjects from a young age had a big impact on me developing an interest in them. Luckily the stereotyping of STEM as being for boys didn’t affect me. For other young women, to see Amazon supporting someone like me shows that the company cares about nurturing talent and encouraging women into STEM subjects.”
“I studied science and mathematics all the way through school and I always wanted to go to the University of Cambridge,” says Olivia. “When I found the actual sciences course, which allows me to study maths, chemistry, physics and biology for the first year before specialising, I knew it was the one for me. I wasn’t ready to commit fully to one specific area of study and this way I can keep my options open.”
Both students will receive support from Amazon for the duration of their studies, which they agree will be invaluable as they progress towards a career in technology.
“It’s such an important thing in university to forge links with the professional world, so to have that connection and support from Amazon is brilliant,” says Charlotte. “It’s an opportunity to find out more about the world of work and see the things we learn about in theory at university applied in the real world. I’m excited to learn more about how Amazon works. I think the Alexa technology being developed here in Cambridge has the potential to be huge and is already having a positive impact.”
“I’m the first in my family to pursue a career in science and technology, so to have a mentor with experience in the industry will be a massive help,” Olivia adds. “I can’t wait to get started. The potential to explore such an influential company like Amazon is a fantastic opportunity.”
Charlotte and Olivia’s eyes are already turned towards the future, with both seeing technology as having the potential to make the world a better place. They agree that selection for the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary represents an opportunity for them to play an immediate role in the futures of young women who are interested in technology.
“I think I’d like to work in bio engineering or energy, particularly renewable energy,” says Charlotte. “Those areas are so important and they have the potential to really improve people’s lives. I want to work where I can see I’m making a change, and part of that change will be encouraging more young women to study STEM subjects.”
“Technology is really changing the world,” adds Olivia. “I want to play a leading role in helping to make people’s lives better, but I haven’t decided exactly which discipline I want to follow after university. My mum really inspired me, she was always encouraging me and telling me I could do it. It’s important for other young women to see companies like Amazon helping students like me and Charlotte explore their passion for technology.”
Professor Dame Athene Donald, Master of Churchill College at the University of Cambridge added, “Churchill College in the University of Cambridge is proud to continue its partnership with Amazon for the Women in Innovation Bursary, providing funding, mentoring and the potential for work placements for female students. I hope that the support provided by the Amazon Women in Innovation Bursary will encourage more young women to consider a career in innovation and apply for this funding to help them achieve their goals. The tech sector urgently needs greater diversity. I’d like to congratulate Charlotte and Olivia on being selected for the programme and wish them all the best in their studies.”
More information on the Amazon Women In Innovation bursary
Image: Charlotte Kenyon (left) and Olivia Wilson