b'8|Inspiring Future Engineers to leadingAaron CuthbertsonDegree apprentice in Software Engineering at Queen Mary University of LondonAaron first joined IET FIRST LEGO League at the ageI can say with absolute certainty that withoutof 12 as part of a home-educated team sponsored byIET FIRST LEGO League I wouldnt be anywhere Bechtel. He competed for three years and, in 2016, hisnear the position I am in now. I couldve answered team won a place to compete at the Open Europeanevery single question in interviews and applications Championships in Tenerife.last year with my IET FIRST LEGO League Four years on, Aaron is still closely involved, helping toexperiences alone!support regional tournaments, volunteering as a judgeIt can be a really transformative experience for and referee and mentoring teams.the competitors. Ive seen young people whove Although I decided to stop competing, I basicallynever worked in a team before and wouldnt be couldnt bring myself to stop participating in someseen dead presenting in front of a crowd become form! Every competition Ive been part of Ivefully involved in effective teamwork by the end of thoroughly enjoyed, so Ive kept doing them. the season, and absolutely come to life in front of judges when presenting. Its a lovely thing to see! I IET FIRST LEGO League inspired Aaron to pursuefind myself now comparing a large amount of what a career in engineering. He is now in his first year ofI encounter in engineering to my experiences in the a degree apprenticeship in Software Engineering atcompetition. core values, project management, Queen Mary University London. Alongside his academicworking under pressure IETFIRST LEGO League studies, he is working as an Apprentice Softwarehas prepared me for life as an engineer far better Engineer at a global finance technology company.than anything else Ive ever taken part in.'