Civil Engineering student wins a £10k sponsorship with major player in construction industry

A first year student at Northumbria University, Newcastle, has successfully secured a £10k sponsorship with Taylor Woodrow, including placements throughout her course and a guaranteed job when she graduates.

Civil Engineering student Isabella Ponton was only five weeks into starting her course when she won the lucrative sponsorship.

“I heard about the scholarship from the Institution of Civil Engineers website and my dad encouraged me to apply for it”, said Isabella. “After finding out I had an interview for the scholarship I was extremely excited, especially as the interview was held at 1 Great George Street in Westminster, the ICE headquarters. I didn't feel the interviews had gone particularly well so when I found out that I had been awarded the scholarship I was extremely overwhelmed.”

This opportunity means that Isabella will begin her career in one of the largest housebuilding and general construction companies in Britain, helping to give her a fantastic head start in her future career.

“Being sponsored by Taylor Woodrow means that I am expected to work for them after graduating, and the thought of already having a job after university takes a huge amount of pressure off and allows me to concentrate more on my degree. It is difficult to put the feeling into words”, she added.

Dr Alan Richardson, Reader in Mechanical and Construction Engineering at Northumbria, also congratulated Isabella on her outstanding achievement.

“Isabella has the makings of a very successful young woman if these qualities have been recognised so early in her career”, he said. “It is a testament to her tremendous self-motivation and willingness to give life a go, rather than to wait to be asked, she has been proactive in taking steps to improve her lot in life.”

Northumbria offers Civil Engineering as an undergraduate course with pathways into a wide range of mechanical and constructional engineering work, from water storage and provision, to the delivery of energy systems and iconic structures.

There is currently an international shortage of civil engineers to fulfil global need, which means that graduate job prospects are strong. Demand for talent is expected to rise further as economies across the globe recover, giving civil engineering students like Isabella a great opportunity to build a rewarding career.

“Knowing that Taylor Woodrow is making this commitment to me already is almost unbelievable and makes me even more enthusiastic about my degree”, said Isabella.

“For me, civil engineering isn't just a degree choice; it is an interest and a passion so to have this recognised by such a big player in the industry is amazing.”

For more information about civil engineering at Northumbria University please visit https://www.northumbria.ac.uk/study-at-northumbria/courses/civil-engineering-ft-uusceh1/