When it comes to learning, they say that ‘you get out what you put in’, and that’s proven true for Kira McLaughlin, who completed the most hours on the 60 Scholars programme’s online learning platform, provided by McLaren Racing’s Official Learning and Skills Partner, Udemy.

Kira McLaughlin is in her first year at Ulster University, where she’s studying global business and data analytics. A lifelong Formula 1 fan, she applied to the 60 Scholars programme to find out more about potential STEM pathways and to make the most of every online learning opportunity.

Through mentorship sessions, hands-on experiences, skills workshops and access to Udemy’s learning platform, the 60 Scholars programme is helping young women such as Kira to build an impressive suite of skills to step up their STEM careers.

Throughout the programme, we’ve been speaking to a selection of scholars to learn more about what they’ve gained from the experience.

A dream come true

Kira earned a prize for clocking up more learning hours on Udemy than any other student, but for her, the real reward was being accepted onto the course in the first place, which she says was a dream come true.

“60 Scholars has completely exceeded my expectations,” says Kira. “I’ve loved Formula 1 for years and I’ve always wondered what it’s like behind the scenes - I can’t believe I finally got to see it for myself when I visited the McLaren Technology Centre for the launch and wrap events. Stepping onto the MTC Boulevard was a real pinch-me moment, seeing all the cars lined up and the trophy cabinet, and I had so much fun doing the pit-stop challenge!

“The talks we heard there, too, were so inspiring - I’m interested in the intersection of innovation, sustainability, and data science in motorsport, so hearing from Kim Wilson (Director of Sustainability) and Daniel Gallo (Chief People & Sustainability Officer) from McLaren Racing was really impactful. Overall, the combination of in-person and online elements, and with the input from the partners, it felt like a really rounded, comprehensive programme that’s opened my eyes to how many female leaders are in such pivotal roles.”

A summer of study

While many of us might struggle to motivate ourselves to dedicate so many hours to learning in our spare time, Kira knew that opportunities like 60 Scholars don’t come around often, and she wanted to immerse herself in the experience.

“You can’t take opportunities like 60 Scholars for granted, so I wanted to squeeze every drop from it and gain as much knowledge as possible to give me a head start both at university and in my STEM career – I suppose it’s a bit like getting Pole after a good Saturday Qualifying,” Kira continues. “I now feel like I’m in the best possible position to thrive. The extra courses and modules on Udemy perfectly complemented the knowledge we gained through the masterclasses and sessions, and meant I could dive deeper into specific areas.”

Thanks to the speakers she saw, Kira was also inspired to develop her own process to support her learning.

“One of my takeaways from the panel discussions was that victory lies in preparation, constant refinement, the ability to overcome obstacles and the continuous pursuit of improvement,” Kira says. “This ethos underpinned my approach to learning, and I looked to the Udemy courses to help me cement and sometimes expand on what I’d learnt in the sessions.

“After each immersion, I’d identify key themes and find relevant courses on Udemy, such as modules on personal branding, resilience and communication. I also used it to deep-dive into my areas of academic interest, so I found courses around ESG, business analytics and carbon emissions. I think my favourite course was Unleashing High-Performance Culture with McLaren Racing, with its insights into working in high-pressure environments.”

The confidence to fly high

Like many participants, Kira’s noticed her confidence has improved – but not only as a woman in STEM.

“To be honest, flying from Northern Ireland solo for the first time was a big milestone in itself, but of course, it was worth it,” Kira says. “It’s all given me such a boost, especially meeting so inspirational female leaders who’ve given me hope that there’s a place for me in the industry.

“Confidence doesn’t just come from telling yourself you can achieve big things though: learning new skills builds confidence, being able to explore your passions and interests builds confidence, and I’m so grateful I’ve had the opportunity to do this and prepare myself for the future I want.”