Sailing enthusiast Maya Korouei surpassed her expectations by receiving an offer to study aerospace engineering at university this autumn.
Like many other A-level students, studying for important examinations during lockdown periods at home has been a challenge. Maya credits the support she received from her mentor on the Student to Stemette programme for helping her achieve her goals.
“I had a wonderful mentor who supported me through my A-level studies and it was beneficial to gain professional advice which helped increase my confidence.”
Maya first heard about Stemettes through the television show, The Apprentice. Since joining in 2020, she has thrown herself in and taken part in several interventions and events, including a live session with the European Space Agency’s Payload Manager Anne Pacros and a virtual panel event with DfT – Meet the Stemettes in Aviation.
Having set her sights on studying aerospace after completing her school studies, Maya requested a mentor from this industry when applying for the Student to Stemette Programme last year. In her application, she wrote:
“I would love someone who works in engineering (aerospace preferably) to be my mentor, as I’d like to expand my network and contacts and get some guidance and advice from somebody who is in that industry. Also, a mentor who can provide help and tips with university applications too.”
Maya was allocated a relevant mentor who introduced her to an aerospace engineering graduate and her confidence went from strength to strength.
“Through the Student to Stemette programme, I was able to take part in networking sessions with my peers and people in industry. The part I love most about the Stemette society is the sense of community and knowing that everyone here is supportive. It’s empowering to be surrounded by so many people who are so successful and I love hearing about all the cool projects other Stemettes are doing.”
A Levels completed, Maya now feels she can breathe a sigh of relief.
“I felt proud of myself on results day because I achieved good results despite the pandemic impacting my education. I kept my hard work up and it paid off!”
In her spare time, Maya loves to sail. She has taken part in several local races and is now a qualified sailing instructor. Over lockdown, she learnt how to sew her own clothes and crochet and has set up a business on Etsy (MakerMaya) which she says taught her a lot about managing her time and finances.
We look forward to watching another Stemette with lofty ambitions make a mark in the world of STEM.
