“The school collaboration with Knightec opened a door I did not know much about nor was particularly interested in. During the project, I was introduced to a broader picture of what technology and innovation could mean, which increased my interest in the subject”, says sixteen-year-old Meng, who was a part of the school collaboration in Gothenburg last spring.
Meng’s newfound interest in technology made her the winner of this year’s scholarship assignment in Gothenburg. Her innovative massage and exercise chair, which she designed and invented, impressed both the jury and her classmates and teachers at Vättleskolan.
“In the beginning, I had many different ideas. I thought a lot about the problems that arose during the pandemic. For example, most people became more sedentary in front of their computers, and the idea of my chair was born. A chair that can offer massage and pedals for training”, says Meng.
The scholarship assignment resulted in a week’s summer job at Knightec’s office in Gothenburg. Meng says that meetings with employees and the tasks she performed were essential, but a specific task that made a big impression was the “private lessons.” An occasion where she was given a topic, project, or challenge presented by a consultant.
“Earlier, when I learned things, it was in a classroom with about 30 other students. Now I got an opportunity where I had every chance in the world to ask questions and develop my abilities. And everything I learned does not stay within the office walls, but the knowledge I generated during the week I carry with me into other challenges and situations in life”, says Meng.
Today, she is in her first year of high school, and the choice of education fell on International Baccalaureate (IB). But already during the Christmas holidays, Meng was back at Knightec when she applied for an internship.
“During my summer job, I realized that there was more to learn. I enjoyed hanging out with employees and exploring everyday life at an actual workplace where everything happens sharply”, says Meng, who emphasizes the importance of having inspiring and responsive role models.
She talks about the importance of having an adult who believes in young people’s dreams and goals. The school collaboration has successfully motivated and engaged students to build and expand their networks. The plans and visions for the future are many, just as they should be when you are sixteen years old and have all the possibilities in the world.
“I have many thoughts about my future. I have always been in the same area during my upbringing, in one place. Now I dream of working in an international atmosphere. In the future, I want to explore the world and discover those places that I have only seen online. But I do not know where I end up, that we will see”, Meng concludes.