Kate Harwood

I was so pleased to have been awarded an Arkwright Scholarship – it was really rewarding to be recognised for something I wanted to pursue after school. As a result of the positive relationship with my Arkwright mentor, I gained a better understanding of engineering and the different roles that engineers play. The scheme was invaluable in providing me with experience for my application to University and supporting my projects during A-levels and it was great that my peers benefited from the funding my school received, which went towards a new CNC machine.

"Kate is a key part of the technical sales team and has brought skills and enthusiasm that she developed during her degree course to the role. At HepcoMotion we believe strongly in developing young engineers for the future; the skills that Kate has built on following her scholarship complement our work and continue to grow as she faces new challenges and projects."

Russell Gellman, Ancillary Products Manager, HepcoMotion

I then studied for a Masters in Product Design Engineering – a combined course in Mechanical Engineering and Product Design – at the University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art. This course was fantastic for building a solid understanding of engineering, whilst developing design and business skills. During the course, I worked on a range of projects in collaboration with external clients including the NHS, Coughtrie International and NCR. For my Masters project, I worked in collaboration with The Scottish Beaver Trial, for whom I conducted research into communications technology, enabling me to design, engineer and prototype a method for tracking wild animals in difficult terrains.

In the summer breaks between studies, I undertook a number of work placements, most recently working as a design engineer for an LED lighting manufacturer near Shanghai, China. This was a fantastic professional and cultural experience!

After graduation, I worked as the product designer for Woof Wear, an international equestrian company who design and manufacture protective equipment for horse and rider. I had responsibility for the development, manufacture and introduction of a number of successful product lines, which received positive ‘tried and tested’ reviews from professional riders and equestrian magazines.

I currently work as an Internal Product Specialist for HepcoMotion, a world-leading manufacturer of linear motion technology. My role is based primarily in engineering sales; I have significant involvement in the technical specification of products for engineering projects and providing application advice for customers. Our clients span many industries, from nuclear and defence to manufacturing and architectural design. The number of projects I work on makes the role very interesting – no two days are the same and there is always opportunity to learn something new.

Being an engineer is very rewarding – it is such a well-respected profession that enables you to positively impact on a range of projects. The role is great for opening doors - there are so many roles and opportunities available and you can work anywhere in the world if you wish!