We were delighted to welcome back Emma Pittaway née Cocksworth (OH 1990-92), Emily Kirwin (OH 2006-16), and Lisa Webster (OH 2000-10), who supported our recent careers in engineering evening. The event was aimed at students in Year 10 upwards who are considering their career options after Hymers and are showing an initial interest in an engineering route. All three of our panelist speakers were able to share their route into their profession alongside some beneficial and useful tips.

Charlotte Cooper (OH 2012-22), a second-year Electrical and Electronic engineering student at UCL also spoke on the evening virtually.  She was able to advise on applying to universities to study engineering, and how the staff support and co-curricular activities that Hymers offers were hugely beneficial to any application for university.

We had many of our students and families who were keen to ask questions afterwards and all of our speakers very kindly offered any further assistance with the students in the future. We are extremely fortunate to be able to draw on such a wide range of expertise in the Hymers community. We are very grateful for the skills, knowledge, and talent that continue to support our current students and beyond their lives at Hymers. 

Thank you to all of our Old Hymerian community who are supporting us in this series of careers events with our students. Your help is invaluable and of huge benefit to Hymers' students in 2024.

Emma Pittaway (née Cocksworth), OH 1990-92

Emma Pittaway is the Head of Future Systems at BAE Systems (Brough, East Yorkshire) where she has worked in Aeronautical Engineering for 27 years. As part of the Air Sector, Emma has worked on the production and support of Military Fast Jets for numerous international customers. She has experience in multiple Engineering disciplines including Mission Systems, Software, Governance, and Integration, with a specialism in Product Integrity.

Currently, Emma is working with her team to develop next-generation combat systems.

Emma was at Hymers College, alongside her older brother, Graham Cocksworth (OH 1977-87) and she also met and married classmate Graeme Pittaway (OH 1983-92).

Emily Kirwin, OH 2006-16

Emily Kirwin graduated in 2021 from the University of Nottingham in Chemical Engineering. She works at Tronox, on the South bank of the River Humber.

Tronox produces titanium dioxide, a white pigment that goes in paint, paper, and plastics. She works within the Process Improvement department, working on a mixture of small and large projects to improve the manufacturing process in some way. She has also spent time in the Operations department, focusing on the day-to-day running of the process.

Lisa Webster, OH 2000-10

Lisa Webster is a Mechanical Engineer with a passion for bridges. As a Site Agent at Balvac Ltd, she leads on-site construction teams for various projects across the UK, ensuring their successful planning, management and timely delivery within budget constraints.

She graduated with a Mechanical Engineering Honors degree, after which she entered the field as a Design Engineer. Specializing in structural movement control, she contributed to the design of mechanical bearing components and hydraulic jacking systems for bridges. Over time, Lisa transitioned into project management, overseeing the on-site installation of these systems.

Lisa also has experience managing difficult access situations. As a qualified Confined Space High Risk Rescuer, she demonstrates her commitment to safety and problem-solving in challenging environments. Lisa's achievements include winning the IMechE Speak Out for Engineering competition in Yorkshire in 2017, for effective communication skills and ability to articulate complex engineering concepts. Additionally, she demonstrated her leadership by delivering two key national projects last year, with one of them being shortlisted for an award.

Lisa is passionate about advocating diversity in engineering and is enthusiastic about an inclusive and empowering environment in the field.

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