2022 - winner
Luella phillips
After almost failing maths at high school and overcoming a diagnosis of ADHD, Canberra student Luella Phillips is now embarking on a STEM-based career as the first winner of the Next Gen ICT prize.
Organised by Canberra recruiting firm Keane Consulting, the $6,000 prize will support Luella’s first year at the Australian National University (ANU) as she undertakes a Bachelor of Engineering. It also includes access to career advice and support as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.
The Next Gen ICT prize is awarded to a young Canberra local who has overcome challenges in their learning journey through high school and college, is an active participant in their community, and is committed to studying a STEM-based tertiary or university course. Keane Consulting Managing Director Owen Keane said there is strong evidence that women are underrepresented in STEM careers, and equality and diversity requires multiple sectors and stakeholders to be involved in eliminating barriers women face in STEM.
“We want to support the growing movement to support women in STEM in a very practical way,” Mr Keane said.
“We don’t just want this prize to be about cash. We also want to provide practical skills and access to people that will help the recipient each year develop relationships within the industry and obtain a better understanding of business and further their career prospects.” Ms Phillips said an inspiring tutor helped her overcome her early learning hurdles, and she is now looking forward to forging a career in an industry where women are heavily underrepresented. “I almost failed maths in year 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD in year 10,” she said.
“With the help and support of an inspiring tutor, my eyes were opened to so many opportunities. Also, having a strong concern for the environment and the impact of climate change, I realised that engineering could be the pathway for me to make a positive difference in the world.” Ms Phillips will also work directly with Women in ICT (WIC) members, who bring people together to champion women in the information and communication sector. Tara Searle, President of WIC, “We are really excited about what Keane Consulting is doing to provide a wonderful support for a local female student,” Mr Keane said.
“At WIC, we know the issues faced by women in STEM, from pay gap discrepancies to stereotyping and gender bias. We know it can be particularly difficult at university when often you are sometimes the only women in tutorials, computer labs and group projects.” Ms Searle said encouraging women to enter and stay a STEM-based course is the first step in a long and rewarding journey. “This award will provide Luella with immediate support for her study and will connect her with a network of supportive and like-minded people to lean on throughout her career,” she said.
This sentiment is supported by Sarea Coates, one of the first female ANU engineering graduates, who reflected on her journey. “When I started in the 1990s, you often heard about the need to support girls in STEM careers, but 20 years later progress on this still seems to be slow,” Ms Coates said. “There are still way too few girls in engineering. We are increasingly dependent on technologies across society, with people now really at the centre of technology, so more than ever we need engineers with diverse skills and perspectives. It’s really great to see businesses getting proactive and engaged.” After almost failing maths at high school and overcoming a diagnosis of ADHD, Canberra student Luella Phillips is now embarking on a STEM-based career as the first winner of the Next Gen ICT prize.
Organised by Canberra recruiting firm Keane Consulting, the $6,000 prize will support Luella’s first year at the Australian National University (ANU) as she undertakes a Bachelor of Engineering. It also includes access to career advice and support as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.
The Next Gen ICT prize is awarded to a young Canberra local who has overcome challenges in their learning journey through high school and college, is an active participant in their community, and is committed to studying a STEM-based tertiary or university course. Keane Consulting Managing Director Owen Keane said there is strong evidence that women are underrepresented in STEM careers, and equality and diversity requires multiple sectors and stakeholders to be involved in eliminating barriers women face in STEM. “We want to support the growing movement to support women in STEM in a very practical way,” Mr Keane said. “We don’t just want this prize to be about cash. We also want to provide practical skills and access to people that will help the recipient each year develop relationships within the industry and obtain a better understanding of business and further their career prospects.”
Ms Phillips said an inspiring tutor helped her overcome her early learning hurdles, and she is now looking forward to forging a career in an industry where women are heavily underrepresented. “I almost failed maths in year 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD in year 10,” she said. “With the help and support of an inspiring tutor, my eyes were opened to so many opportunities. Also, having a strong concern for the environment and the impact of climate change, I realised that engineering could be the pathway for me to make a positive difference in the world.” Ms Phillips will also work directly with Women in ICT (WIC) members, who bring people together to champion women in the information and communication sector.
Tara Searle, President of WIC, “We are really excited about what Keane Consulting is doing to provide a wonderful support for a local female student,” Mr Keane said. “At WIC, we know the issues faced by women in STEM, from pay gap discrepancies to stereotyping and gender bias. We know it can be particularly difficult at university when often you are sometimes the only women in tutorials, computer labs and group projects.” Ms Searle said encouraging women to enter and stay a STEM-based course is the first step in a long and rewarding journey.
“This award will provide Luella with immediate support for her study and will connect her with a network of supportive and like-minded people to lean on throughout her career,” she said. This sentiment is supported by Sarea Coates, one of the first female ANU engineering graduates, who reflected on her journey. “When I started in the 1990s, you often heard about the need to support girls in STEM careers, but 20 years later progress on this still seems to be slow,” Ms Coates said. “There are still way too few girls in engineering. We are increasingly dependent on technologies across society, with people now really at the centre of technology, so more than ever we need engineers with diverse skills and perspectives. It’s really great to see businesses getting proactive and engaged.”
Organised by Canberra recruiting firm Keane Consulting, the $6,000 prize will support Luella’s first year at the Australian National University (ANU) as she undertakes a Bachelor of Engineering. It also includes access to career advice and support as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.
The Next Gen ICT prize is awarded to a young Canberra local who has overcome challenges in their learning journey through high school and college, is an active participant in their community, and is committed to studying a STEM-based tertiary or university course. Keane Consulting Managing Director Owen Keane said there is strong evidence that women are underrepresented in STEM careers, and equality and diversity requires multiple sectors and stakeholders to be involved in eliminating barriers women face in STEM.
“We want to support the growing movement to support women in STEM in a very practical way,” Mr Keane said.
“We don’t just want this prize to be about cash. We also want to provide practical skills and access to people that will help the recipient each year develop relationships within the industry and obtain a better understanding of business and further their career prospects.” Ms Phillips said an inspiring tutor helped her overcome her early learning hurdles, and she is now looking forward to forging a career in an industry where women are heavily underrepresented. “I almost failed maths in year 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD in year 10,” she said.
“With the help and support of an inspiring tutor, my eyes were opened to so many opportunities. Also, having a strong concern for the environment and the impact of climate change, I realised that engineering could be the pathway for me to make a positive difference in the world.” Ms Phillips will also work directly with Women in ICT (WIC) members, who bring people together to champion women in the information and communication sector. Tara Searle, President of WIC, “We are really excited about what Keane Consulting is doing to provide a wonderful support for a local female student,” Mr Keane said.
“At WIC, we know the issues faced by women in STEM, from pay gap discrepancies to stereotyping and gender bias. We know it can be particularly difficult at university when often you are sometimes the only women in tutorials, computer labs and group projects.” Ms Searle said encouraging women to enter and stay a STEM-based course is the first step in a long and rewarding journey. “This award will provide Luella with immediate support for her study and will connect her with a network of supportive and like-minded people to lean on throughout her career,” she said.
This sentiment is supported by Sarea Coates, one of the first female ANU engineering graduates, who reflected on her journey. “When I started in the 1990s, you often heard about the need to support girls in STEM careers, but 20 years later progress on this still seems to be slow,” Ms Coates said. “There are still way too few girls in engineering. We are increasingly dependent on technologies across society, with people now really at the centre of technology, so more than ever we need engineers with diverse skills and perspectives. It’s really great to see businesses getting proactive and engaged.” After almost failing maths at high school and overcoming a diagnosis of ADHD, Canberra student Luella Phillips is now embarking on a STEM-based career as the first winner of the Next Gen ICT prize.
Organised by Canberra recruiting firm Keane Consulting, the $6,000 prize will support Luella’s first year at the Australian National University (ANU) as she undertakes a Bachelor of Engineering. It also includes access to career advice and support as well as mentoring and networking opportunities.
The Next Gen ICT prize is awarded to a young Canberra local who has overcome challenges in their learning journey through high school and college, is an active participant in their community, and is committed to studying a STEM-based tertiary or university course. Keane Consulting Managing Director Owen Keane said there is strong evidence that women are underrepresented in STEM careers, and equality and diversity requires multiple sectors and stakeholders to be involved in eliminating barriers women face in STEM. “We want to support the growing movement to support women in STEM in a very practical way,” Mr Keane said. “We don’t just want this prize to be about cash. We also want to provide practical skills and access to people that will help the recipient each year develop relationships within the industry and obtain a better understanding of business and further their career prospects.”
Ms Phillips said an inspiring tutor helped her overcome her early learning hurdles, and she is now looking forward to forging a career in an industry where women are heavily underrepresented. “I almost failed maths in year 8 and was diagnosed with ADHD in year 10,” she said. “With the help and support of an inspiring tutor, my eyes were opened to so many opportunities. Also, having a strong concern for the environment and the impact of climate change, I realised that engineering could be the pathway for me to make a positive difference in the world.” Ms Phillips will also work directly with Women in ICT (WIC) members, who bring people together to champion women in the information and communication sector.
Tara Searle, President of WIC, “We are really excited about what Keane Consulting is doing to provide a wonderful support for a local female student,” Mr Keane said. “At WIC, we know the issues faced by women in STEM, from pay gap discrepancies to stereotyping and gender bias. We know it can be particularly difficult at university when often you are sometimes the only women in tutorials, computer labs and group projects.” Ms Searle said encouraging women to enter and stay a STEM-based course is the first step in a long and rewarding journey.
“This award will provide Luella with immediate support for her study and will connect her with a network of supportive and like-minded people to lean on throughout her career,” she said. This sentiment is supported by Sarea Coates, one of the first female ANU engineering graduates, who reflected on her journey. “When I started in the 1990s, you often heard about the need to support girls in STEM careers, but 20 years later progress on this still seems to be slow,” Ms Coates said. “There are still way too few girls in engineering. We are increasingly dependent on technologies across society, with people now really at the centre of technology, so more than ever we need engineers with diverse skills and perspectives. It’s really great to see businesses getting proactive and engaged.”