Profiles

Edwina Cooke is a Headstart co-ordinator and has worked at The University of Birmingham for 27 years, 21 years of that time has been spent in Engineering. Three years ago she joined the School of Engineering's Business Development team and has been actively involved in its recruitment drive ever since.

Taking up her present post saw Edwina's first involvement with Headstart - initially as co-ordinator and now, from this year, sole organiser of the programme at Birmingham. During the running of the course she is closely involved in the day and evening events and activities, ensuring that delegates are continually occupied and kept interested.

Edwina is a stalwart supporter of Headstart, believing it to be an invaluable opportunity for young people to gain a 'taste' of engineering before actually committing themselves to study for a subject that may not suit them; but also
reinforcing in those who have a flair for design and creative problem solving the knowledge that they will be taking just the right 'A' levels for just the right degree course for exactly the right career.

Edwina's role in the School is extremely challenging and fulfilling. When she is not organising residential courses, her job takes her into the following areas:

• Outreach to schools and colleges as part of her School's own effort and also in collaboration with the University's Widening Participation Unit
• Organising and taking part in Engineering Roadshows to schools
• Arranging and/or setting up of activities for schools visiting The University of Birmingham's campus
• Organising and co-ordinating the School's effort at University Open Days
• Marketing the School and maintaining its corporate image on course literature
  and promotional items and materials
• Day to day administration of the School's Undergraduate Recruitment area

She also has a life outside the University of Birmingham which she has shared with husband, Roy, for 28 years and their four grown-up children over a span of 22 years who are all making or have made their own in-roads into university life. She cycles, likes to take long walks (mainly in the Lake District) and hibernates whenever the
opportunity arises.