Electronics engineer at Cambridge University says her career was a choice between science or childcare!

Abbie Lowe is forging a successful career in physics and electronic engineering at Cambridge University after a chance opportunity steered her away from working in childcare.

Abbie spends her days carefully making and testing intricate semi-conductor devices at Cavendish Laboratory, involving hours of skill and patience.

Having completed her science apprenticeship, she is starting Higher Education qualifications in Electronic Engineering at Cambridge Regional College.

However, it could have been a totally different story, had she not discovered apprenticeships at CRC.

“I sat A Levels in English, Biology and Chemistry and had always loved looking after my young cousins so decided childcare would suit me as a career,” Abbie said.

“I successfully applied to Bath and Northampton University to study Early Years Childcare, but it just didn’t feel right.

“I worried university was not for me. So I looked around at what I could do instead.”

Twenty year old Abbie had always enjoyed the science element of her A Levels so when she saw an apprenticeship as a Research Lab technician in semi-conductor physics at Cambridge University she decided to give it a go.

For two years Abbie spent a day a week at college and the rest of the time learning alongside her mentors at the Cavendish Labs.

“I’m blown away by how far I’ve come and how much I can do,” Abbie said. “It has been so worthwhile learning how to juggle college and work. I’ve learnt something new every day.”

With great support from her manager at Cambridge University, Abbie says one of the best things has been relating her college studies to what she does inside the labs.

Abbie said: “I used to have trouble believing in myself and my abilities but since this apprenticeship I know I can achieve.”

Next step for Abbie is studying Level 4 and 5 in Engineering at Cambridge Regional College.

“I feel very lucky to have found a career I enjoy,” she said.