The Columba College year 12 boarding pupil is the only female in the automotive engineering course at Otago Polytechnic this year, and is about to receive her national certificate in motor industry (foundation skills).
The course is run via the Otago Secondary-Tertiary College - a partnership with secondary schools in the Otago region.
It means she can do the course while continuing to study NCEA level 2 at Columba College, and the credits she earns at polytech go towards her NCEA course.
It gives secondary school pupils a head start in achieving career-based qualifications while still at school.
Although Jess loves school, she said Fridays were her favourite day of the week - not because it was the last working day of the week, but because she got to swap the chatter of her high school peers for the clatter of engines.
''It's my time away from all the girls at the hostel.
''All the drama . . . gone.''
Jess grew up on a farm in Heriot and has been riding motorbikes since she was 7.
It was a natural progression to want to tinker with their engines, she said.
''I was thinking I wanted to be a mechanic, so I decided to do the course to test if it was right for me,'' she said.
''I've learnt so much. The first day I came I was so scared, but I've made some friends here. We all get on well.''
Jess hopes to continue in another automotive engineering course next year while studying NCEA level 3 at Columba College.
Her five-year plan is to become a qualified mechanic and work on motorcycles.
