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Jason Taylor, IET Jubilee Scholarship winner

An outstanding young engineer, IET member Jason Taylor talks of taking advantage of all opportunities available to you…

 

Jason Taylor first started considering Engineering as a career during GCSE, since he enjoyed DT/Electronics so much. Starting to investigate the industry, he learnt that it incorporated most of his favourite subjects: maths, physics, DT etc.  With a little help from his school’s DT department he started doing extra-curricular courses and schemes including Smallpeice courses, The Arkwright Scholarship (and the work experience that came with it at Thales UK), Young Engineers, Engineering Education Scheme and a Headstart course to name a few. 

“The wonderful thing I found is that one thing seemed to lead onto another, akin to a snowball; each thing opened another door, each more interesting and beneficial than the last,” he enthuses.

This beginning has ultimately led Jason to where he is now; after spending his Gap Year working at Cambridge Consultants - a placement he gained through the Year In Industry Scheme (YINI) - and being awarded an IET Jubilee Scholarship, he is currently in his first year of studying Engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge.

”My interests extend far beyond Engineering though; I have set up and now run and sing in a university swing band, I make the most of my love of photography as photo editor for a number of college and university newspapers, as well as acting as a mentor for various photographical societies and working as a part-time commercial photographer,” he adds. “I am also involved in College/Uni pool, badminton and shooting teams and enjoy swing, jive and ceilidh dancing.”

After his degree Jason can see himself returning (as many YINI graduates do) to Cambridge Consultants. “After that, who knows,” he says, “but I do know that the wealth of experience I have gained, starting more than four years ago with the first Smallpeice course, has helped shape my life and given me the confidence and knowhow to make the most of any opportunity.”
 

Talking of opportunities, Jason didn’t let one go by when he heard about the IET’s Jubilee Scholarships.

These Scholarships consist of awards of £1000 for each winner, and were established with the intention that they should assist outstanding students to obtain professional qualifications in electrical, electronic, IT, manufacturing or related engineering. Scholarship holders who satisfactorily complete their course of study may use the title 'IET Scholar'.

"I was introduced to the idea of applying whilst at Cambridge Consultants, by the coordinator who arranged our projects and mentors. It seemed especially appealing when I discovered how it could aid me in my current education, as well as my career later on.
 

“I was over the moon when I heard I’d won,” he continues. “I feel that apart from the obvious financial assistance, it will be a source of countless opportunities and resources further down the line, in particular helping to give me a head start on planning CEng applications and the like.”

Jason had begun to apply for IET student membership at the beginning of his Gap Year, but when he discovered that membership was granted as part of the Scholarship, he concentrated on that. Membership was also recommended by his uncle, himself a member, and it seemed an excellent accompaniment to his academic education.

“There is a wealth of benefits to being a student member. From mentoring opportunities to contact with foremost experts in a myriad of fields, and from employment introductions and seminars to access to technical magazines and journals, there is something to be gained by anyone, at any level.

"In particular I make use of the magazines and technical journals, which can help with research projects, as well as the employment and business networking events and guidelines on continuing personal development,” he notes.

“If you, like me, are keen to make the most of every opportunity you are presented with, IET membership is an easy choice,” he highlights. “It gives you access to courses, placements and technical references which can help your immediate education, while also building your confidence, as well as giving you a head start when it comes to employment further down the line.”