Sophie is building her future in Electrical Engineering through the UTS Women in Engineering Scholarship, industry experience and global study opportunities.
Sophie Walker didn’t always see herself in engineering. She loved maths, science and solving problems, but the world of engineering felt big, complex and maybe even a little intimidating.
Today, she’s proving her younger self wrong.
Now, in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Electrical at UTS, Sophie is already shaping Australia’s future energy systems through her industry work with Transgrid. And right now, she’s studying abroad in Milan through the UTS Global Mobility program, expanding her perspective in one of the world’s leading engineering and design cities.
Receiving the Women in Engineering Co-op scholarship was a turning point for Sophie.
“When I got the call, I felt a mix of joy and happiness,” she says.
“I was able to achieve something like this, and it really took the stress off finances. I could just focus on learning and seizing every opportunity.”
The scholarship didn’t just open doors, it helped her walk through them with confidence.
Industry experience from day one
From her first semester, Sophie found herself in highly collaborative spaces, tackling real projects with other students and learning to think beyond the textbook.
At the end of first year, she stepped into the industry for the first time through a summer internship at Transgrid, an opportunity that grew into ongoing part-time work.
“My first year sharpened my communication and collaboration skills and honed my curiosity. I learnt to be confident in what I know, and courageous enough to ask what I don’t.”
Sophie Walker
Redefining Engineering through community at UTS
Before uni, Sophie imagined engineers as quiet, solitary problem-solvers, a world away from her own collaborative nature.
The reality surprised her.
“Engineering is so collaborative. It’s about talking to people, bringing ideas together and solving problems.”
While some of her electrical engineering classes have only a handful of women, Sophie has never felt alone. She found connection and community through UTS Women in Engineering and IT (WiEIT), a network that supported her early on and one she now gives back to.
“Now I’m the one speaking at events and helping students who are just starting,” she says.
Taking engineering global
This semester, Sophie is studying abroad in Milan, through the Global Mobility program.
She’s spending six months in Milan at a leading technical university, gaining new academic insights and experiencing daily life in one of Europe’s most innovative cities.
“I wanted to see engineering from a different point of view, and experience something completely new.” She says.
Engineering her own future
The Women in Engineering Scholarship gave Sophie more than financial support; it gave her freedom.
The Women in Engineering Scholarship gave Sophie more than financial support; it gave her freedom.
Freedom to take on industry roles.
Freedom to study overseas.
Freedom to focus on growth, not just grades.
She’s on track to complete her five‑year degree in four. Not because she must, but because she can.
Her message to young women considering engineering?
“Think about what you love learning. If you’re curious about building a better future, if you like problem-solving and STEM, don’t let the stereotype stop you. Engineering is what you make it.”
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Through hands-on projects, Vaibhav applied engineering principles to real-world problems.
Webpage
The world is changing fast, and engineers are driving that change.
Webpage
Hailing from Magura, Bangladesh, Taskira Islam graduated from UTS in 2017 with a Master of Engineering (Extension) in Environmental Engineering. In 2022, she became a Traffic Engineering Officer at Transport for NSW.