Joined:14/12/2008
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Posted by Dad on 01/01/2009 at 16:06:54 | |
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So, what about Jo?
She’s the older of our two daughters both of whom have excelled in their own ways to become the women they are today, ones we are immensely proud of.
Like Ian, Jo loved school. I don’t ever remember her having difficulties with her work. She was nearly put off a scientific career path though, when her physics teacher on her first day at Sutton Girls school asked her in a very stern way if she would like to be “radio active”; he scared her to death. Maybe it’s a technique she should try now the boot is on the other foot, scare the new intake to death on their first day, it might be the only chance she gets.
It didn’t put her off though she did well in her GCSEs, especially in maths and the sciences and then went on to get A grade A-levels in Maths and Physics and grade B in Chemistry and Further Maths. It was during her years in the 6th Form that she got involved with the Women in Engineering initiative. She became the spokeswoman for her school team at the regional final where projects carried out by teams from around the West Midlands were displayed at the NIA. It was one of those tear-jerking moments as she stood there making her presentation in front of the crowds of distinguished people. We felt so proud.
Also while in the sixth form Jo had the opportunity to spend a month in Chicago living with a family who had a daughter of the same age. It was her first long spell away from us and gave her her first taste of independence.
Full independence came a year or so later when she embarked on a Masters Degree course in Mechanical Engineering at Loughborough University. She spent the next five years (including a year out in sunny Wolverhampton) working hard and playing hard. Playing included karting, which, as we all know, is how she met Ian.
Jo was in her final year when they met and Ian still had his year out and his final year to go so they were soon to be split apart. Jo graduated in 2001 with a 2.1 M.Eng. Her first job was with Ricardo on their graduate training scheme but unfortunately she was posted to their engine R&D centre in Shoreham on the south coast. Ian at this time was doing his year out at B.Ae, Warton approximately 300 miles away. I guess it was a test of their devotion to each other that their relationship survived the distance they were apart.
After two years at Ricardo Jo decided on a career change. In 2003 she started a Post Graduate Certificate in Education course at Leicester University, which of course is not a million miles away from Loughborough where Ian was now in his final year. Jo completed her teachers training and took up her first teaching post in Kirkham. Ian graduated the same year and started back at Warton enabling them to set up their first home together in Fulwood. The rest, as they say, is history!
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