Focus On..

Michelle Harris

I was appointed the new Industrial Liaison Co-ordinator for Dinnington Comprehensive School in September 2005. The Main aspects of my role are to build links with Industry and the local community, which the school serves, promoting ‘engineering’ to encourage future engineers. ’IS THIS YOU’. The school is very fortunate to have many sponsor companies, which have supported the school in achieving the ‘Specialist School Status in Science and Engineering. We now need to build on this support and learn from the 21 st century engineering that is present around us.

My background is in ‘Engineering’. After gaining ‘O’ & ‘A’ levels I studied a Design Foundation course, which gained me a place at Leeds Metropolitan University. I left the University with a BA Hons Degree in 3 dimensional Product Design.

My first initial job was working for a company as a desktop publisher before moving into a Product Design position. From this position I then moved into a Senior role as a Design and Tooling Engineer, (in between all this busy schedule I have had 2 babies and many sleepless nights). Through my career I have been faced with numerous design and tooling projects, by using state-of-the-art equipment and advanced CAD (computer aided design) software I have achieved many successful products to market. My portfolio can be viewed here website link or a few images of projects?

In 2004 I was involved in a Promotional video engineering now video link aimed at encouraging engineering in schools, specifically aimed at girls.

Why am I doing it? Moving to Dinnington, as been a new angle to my career. I have gained through my career an extensive knowledge base in the Design and Engineering Industry, and this is an opportunity for me to share the knowledge and support Dinnington Comprehensive in reaching the goals of the special status, by encouraging pupils and parents into Engineering with the support of the local industry.

Just one more thing! ‘Engineering’ is not all it appears to be, there are over 75 different careers available, something to suit all and gender, whether you are scientific, artistic or mechanically minded take a look at the Engineering website links I have collated, you maybe surprised.

Do You! want to build the next tallest building, design the next super sports car, or create a life saving medical device, maybe even design the next top of the Christmas list gadget! interested?

Any questions about me, my role or ‘ENGINEERING’ email me michelle.harris@dinnington.etc.etc if I can’t help, I’ll know someone who can.

Best Wishes

Michelle Harris