A budding scientist has spoken about her aspirations in the industry after completing a week’s work experience placement at CMG Technologies.
Ellie Leonard, 16, joined us in June to learn more about the industry as she looks ahead to a career covering chemistry and computer science.
She learnt valuable information about the science behind both MIM and 3D printing, investigating the role chemistry plays in the way each process works.
Ellie, speaking on World Youth Skills Day, said her experience was “thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding”.
She added: “It was inspiring learning about the manufacturing process and the whole team at CMG made me feel very welcome and involved.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better company to host my work experience.
“I learned about the processes of MIM and 3D printing and began to look more closely at the chemistry behind them.
“I was also shown the software used to produce g-codes for 3D printing, learning how to use a few parameters and send messages to the printers when we wanted to print highly complex components.
“It has been very helpful to see this as I realised a career in science doesn’t always mean working in a lab.”
Ellie, whose father Mark is our Technical Sales Manager, finished her placement by producing a presentation on her work throughout the week and everything she had learnt.
She added she would love to see more young people – especially women – join the industry and challenge previous stereotypes about it being male dominated.
She said: “UK manufacturing and engineering needs to encourage more young people, especially women, to enter the industry to promote new ideas and developments that our generation will soon be responsible for.
“If you are passionate about something, regardless of stereotypes, you should pursue it. No industry is out of bounds.
“After finishing my A-levels at sixth form, I want to pursue a degree in chemistry and computer science where I can learn more about the subject I love and incorporate levels of more technical and analytical understanding from computing skills.”
Rachel Garrett, our Managing Director, added: “Ellie was an absolute delight to have with us at CMG.
“Her passion for science is infectious and it is great to see a young person show such drive and ambition in the sector.
“We know she will go on to achieve great things and we wish her all the best in her studies and beyond.”
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