A once-in-a-lifetime experience for a young woman aspiring to work in Formula 1 was recently enjoyed by Emily Weeks, a local Yass Valley student, who was supported to attend the prestigious Formula 1 Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne.
Ms Emily Weeks, who is studying a Bachelor of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering (Honours) at the University of Technology, Sydney was just one of 22 women nationwide selected to participate in the FIA Girls on Track event at Albert Park. The program is designed to assist young women explore career opportunities in the motorsport and automotive industries. It included workshops, industry networking and behind-the-scenes experiences with the Audi Revolut F1 Team.
Selected for the program based on the strength of her academic performance and aspirations in motorsport engineering, Ms Weeks has benefited from the longstanding support of Audi Foundation and the local branch of the Country Education Foundation in Yass throughout her studies. The Audi Foundation's support helped remove financial barriers to her participation in the event.
Ms Weeks aspires to become a data engineer and race engineer after graduating. She said the experience of participating in the F1 Girls on Track program was lifechanging and instrumental for her future career.
"My dream is to work in motorsports, and it was fantastic to have a front row seat to see how the mechanical engineering works right there at the track," Ms Weeks said. "The networking opportunities were also incredible."
"I am so grateful to Audi Foundation for covering the costs for me to attend the Australian Grand Prix. Without that support, I would never have been able to attend.
Emily WeeksCEF Yass Valley
CEF CEO, Ms Wendy Mason, said she was delighted this partnership could give Emily an opportunity she may once have only dreamed of.
"CEF enjoys a longstanding partnership with Audi Foundation and it's opportunities such as these that show young people from rural and regional communities that our partners, such as Audi Foundation, believe in them too," Ms Mason said.
Director of Audi Australia, Jeff Mannering, congratulated Emily on being selected to participate in the F1 Girls on Track Program.
"We're incredibly proud of Emily and thrilled that we could support not only her attendance at this event, but her journey to get there," Mr Mannering said.
"At Audi, Vorsprung or 'progress' is in everything we do, so it is great to be able to foster real, tangible, progress here in Australia, and both Emily and the FIA Girls on Track Program represent this."
When offering advice to other students considering their career options, Ms Weeks said it was important to do what you love.
"Following your dreams is the best way to succeed, despite the challenges," Ms Weeks said. "Doing what you enjoy makes the hard times worth it."
