Lucy, Engineering

Lucy Parnell is blazing a trail as she looks forward to going onto a career in product design engineering.

The 18-year-old has achieved a distinction* in a technical qualification in engineering and A Level grades A and D in maths and product design. 

Lucy joined the UTC in Year 10 at the age of 14 and now has an unconditional offer to study a Degree in Product Design at Sheffield Hallam University. She said: “I’m pleased with my grades. I felt so nervous beforehand, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders once I opened my results.”

Lucy commented: “You get the best of both worlds at the UTC with the chance to do hands-on technical learning and qualifications alongside academic ones. By the age of 13, I knew that I wanted to study engineering. I chose the UTC because engineering is one of its specialisms and it has some great teachers, equipment and facilities. 

She continued: “I’ve enjoyed studying engineering and using the computer aided design systems at the UTC. Initially, I felt nervous about leaving my friends at my old school but the move, although challenging, has been worth it. Everyone was friendly and in the same situation.

Lucy added: “I feel very proud to be a female going into engineering as women are under represented across the sector. My advice to others would be to just go for it! I think more young women should consider a career in engineering as there are some great opportunities out there.”

Alex Reynolds, Principal, UTC Sheffield City Centre, said: “Lucy has been with us at the UTC since she was 14 and we have watched her talent for engineering and design flourish over key stage 4 and 5. She is a prime example of what hard work combined with talent can achieve when channelled into a destination driven education. She is a fantastic student who will go on to great things in the future. She will be real asset to the industry.”