Join us in celebrating Javine Ebrubah, first year Undergraduate student at Kent studying Computer Science, who has been awarded the Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship! Find out about the challenges she’s faced as a woman in STEM and her incredible tenacity in overcoming them, plus her career goals and advice for future students looking to studying Computing at Kent.
Why did you choose Kent?
I chose Kent to be close to home as I’m a young carer and feel more comfortable closer to home. Kent was my top option for university with Lancaster being my second. As soon as I got both offers I knew exactly who I was going to pick. Kent is closer to home and offers so much support as well as having lecturers who truly care about our futures. Kent is also such a welcoming environment, allowing me to meet some of the nicest people.
How is your Computer Science course going?
My course is going amazing, I’m enjoying it so much. My favourite module is definitely the object orientated programming where we code different programs, and another of my favourites is databases and the web, as my plans for after university entail creating websites and applications for aspiring entrepreneurs.
How did you get into this subject and when did you develop your passion?
When I was a child, I had the usual career aspirations—maybe I’d become a doctor or a vet. However, when I reached secondary school, I started exploring more tech-oriented subjects. I had an amazing computer science teacher who really encouraged me to do my best, and his teaching style was incredibly effective. His lessons were unique because we didn’t just take notes; instead, we used whiteboards to answer questions or wrote down key points multiple times to help us remember them.
I began coding in Python in Year 8, and I absolutely loved solving problems. Everything just clicked. I was drawn to computer science because it challenges me to think both creatively and analytically, and I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when I successfully solve complex problems through coding. From that moment on, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in Computing.
Were there any barriers to you studying this course or coming to university – and how did you overcome them?
There were a few barriers to studying Computer Science. During secondary school and sixth form the majority of my class was male, and a lot of them were very egotistical and had the usual views that it’s not a women’s subject. There were a few times when I’d overhear some of them downplaying the girls achievements, like when we’d get a question right or did well and even better than them on an assignment. The older we got the more most of them grew out of that mindset but from a young age the damage is already done. For me, it only fuelled me to be better in order to prove them wrong. To show that I am as good – and better! I overcame a lot of the mental barriers through the support of my teacher and best friend.
A barrier that I faced coming to university was making the decision to leave home. Being a young carer from a very young age caused a lot of dependency on me and leaving home meant leaving behind my responsibilities. I remember talking to my Computing teacher and him telling me to be selfish for once and do what is best for me. So, I accepted my university offer and that was that. My decision to come to Kent was made to be close to home, so I can always come back in the case of emergencies and on weekends.
How have you found the community at Kent?
I haven’t joined any societies here at Kent as I can’t really find the time to fit everything in – with care responsibilities, my studies and job search, I don’t have a lot of time to join any. But that hasn’t stopped me from finding many new people who make Kent feel a little more like home.
Tell us about the Amazon scholarship you have been awarded – how did you get it and what does it entail? Why is this so important for you?
The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship targets young women in STEM who are keen to join the world of Engineering and Computer Science. I applied just after finishing sixth form and didn’t think I’d get the award in all honesty, but a few hours after my interview I got a phone call saying I had been awarded the scholarship. I remember feeling so overwhelmed with emotions because it felt like I had received reassurance that I’m good enough to be on this course and that there’s people who want to support and help me achieve my goals.
The Amazon scholarship is so important to me as it’s aid in all of the university finances like accommodation fees, technology, and travel home. With the award I feel more financially stable and able to live comfortably at university. The financial support is fantastic, but I think programmes like this also offer invaluable networking opportunities. Getting the chance to meet people in the industry and gain experience that will benefit my career in the future is brilliant. Without programmes like this, routes into tech careers wouldn’t be as open and I think the fact that the bursary offers me a clear pathway to the career I want is amazing.
What do you want to do after graduation?
My goal is to own my own company that gives people the opportunity to develop websites and apps for their business ideas. I want to provide a unique platform that’s creative, efficient and allows people to create exactly what they envision for their organisation.
What advice would you give to a prospective student?
If you’re considering studying Computer Science, embrace the journey with curiosity and persistence. Focus on building a strong foundation in programming and problem-solving, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—each challenge is a chance to learn and grow. Stay organized, and practice coding regularly. Most importantly, enjoy the process of creating and solving problems, as the field offers endless opportunities for personal and professional growth.