The year 11 St Margaret’s College student from West Melton has a passion for biology, and from a young age has always been interested in how things work, often taking items apart just to put them back together.
That passion has now landed her the opportunity of her dreams.
Julia, 15, is one of 25 young women chosen from around the country to participate in the GirlBoss Advantage programme next month in Christchurch, which is designed to mentor the female leaders of tomorrow in industries that were often male-dominated, with a particular focus on science, technology, engineering and maths.
She was shocked when her mother told her she had been accepted into the prestigious programme.
“At first it was really shocking, and then it really settled in that this is actually happening and it’s amazing to have this opportunity,” she said.
The programme helps young females gain important skills and exposure in a series of masterclasses and rapid-fire internships.
While gaining experience and connecting with industry leaders to fulfill their dreams, it simultaneously addresses the skills and gender diversity gap in workplaces today.
Said Julia: “The programme will be beneficial for young women because it will encourage them to believe they’re more than capable of working in those industries.”
Julia moved to New Zealand from Essex, United Kingdom, in 2011 with her parents and twin sisters for better schooling opportunities.
She was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as a child, which she and her family began to understand once they moved to New Zealand.
“I have ADHD, so at the time, Selwyn House School helped my parents understand what that was and helped me get on the proper medication so I could focus,” she said.
She dreams of becoming a geneticist one day, using genetic modifications to improve the lives of the less fortunate.
Her love of biology stemmed from a family member who had a rare, chromosomal disorder which sparked her interest in learning more.
“I want to help in some sort of way using genetics, like genetically modifying plants to help with world hunger,” she said.
“I’ve also been working on a project called Project X in school, where I’m researching how I would be able to genetically modify mosquitos to carry a vaccine which could prevent disease in third-world countries.”
The five-day GirlBoss Advantage programme is set to go ahead in Christchurch next month, where the students will have the opportunity to intern with Orion Group. It will be hosted by power company Connetics.
Julia hopes to gain a number of key skills and experience to aid her on the road to becoming a geneticist.
“This programme might be able to help me get some feedback from experts and mentors on the project I’m working on, and that I’ll be able to use later in life.”
It is often a man’s world in her chosen industry, but she believes now is the time for girls to lead the world.
“Don’t listen to the people who tell you that you can’t do it.”
