- New vloggers hired to inspire the next generation of engineers
- Research finds one in four girls see leading vlogger as a role model
Two young people have been hired as vloggers (video bloggers) to join the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2015 campaign following a nationwide search.
Lily Kate France, an A Level student from Lancashire, and Nayeeb Chowdhury, a chemical engineering undergraduate from the University College London, have been hired to join the team in inspiring young people to consider a career in engineering.
Lily and Nayeeb will create exclusive YouTube content such going behind the scenes of well-known brands, interviews with inspiring young engineers, explanations of new innovations such as wearable tech and collaborative vlogs with well-known YouTubers.
The appointment of the vloggers comes as new figures, released by the Your Life campaign to encourage students to study maths and physics at A Level, have revealed vloggers, such as Zoella and Alfie Deyes, could have a major impact on young people's aspirations. [1]
Nearly a quarter of 11-19 year old girls (24%) and one in ten boys claim lifestyle YouTube vlogger Zoella is a role model, while Global Web Index data suggests more than half of teenagers are now using YouTube to find information. [2]
The vloggers recruited by Tomorrow’s Engineers will help dispel myths around engineering and inspire young people to consider it as a career option. Now in its third year, Tomorrow’s Engineers Week aims to challenge perceptions of engineering among young people and encourage young people to choose STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects.
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week uses topical issues, celebrities and competition prizes relevant to young people to inspire them to consider their next steps in STEM.
Lily Kate France, aged 17, from Preston, has just secured four As at AS level, and after blogging for two years has been signed up by Tomorrow’s Engineers to inspire young girls through social media to consider a career in engineering.
Lily commented:
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week team and working to help bridge the gap between young people and STEM careers. I love studying STEM subjects at college but I understand how many young people can miss the link between the things they love and the engineering processes behind them. Hopefully I can help young people realise just how interesting engineering is.”
Nayeeb Chowdhury, aged 21, from Croydon, impressed the team with his experience and accolades in STEM, and as a result, he will assist Lily in creating engaging content. He said:
“I’m really passionate about making engineering accessible for everyone and I’ve seen from my own classes, that there are not very many girls taking on STEM subjects. It would be great to inspire a future great British engineer through the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week campaign.”
Paul Jackson, EngineeringUK Chief Executive, said:
“Lily and Nayeeb are energetic STEM advocates who will bring engineering to life for young people across the UK. Vlogging brings a new dimension to Tomorrow’s Engineers Week with our new young stars showcasing engineering in action across the UK. We want as many engineers as possible to feature as they highlight the wonderful careers engineering has to offer.”
Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2015 takes place from the 2nd – 6th November 2015 – visit www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk for more information.
If you’re an engineer or engineering employer and would be interested working with these young vloggers to inspire the next generation, please get in touch.
[1] Bilendi interviewed 1,050 11-19 year olds from 4th to 7th August 2015 on behalf of Your Life. Visit www.yourlife.org.uk for more information.
[2] Global Web Index Q1 2015 Study. https://www.globalwebindex.net