We’re catching up with Becky Ridler, a former UCW degree apprentice who since graduating has gone on to play a key role in inspiring, supporting and empowering women and girls to pursue careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) by founding Not Just Girls.
What do you do at Not Just Girls?
We work with schools, colleges, universities and employers to improve access to opportunities, increase visibility of female role models and help young women build confidence in pursuing careers that they may not have previously considered.
Our work includes delivering outreach sessions, careers talks, workshops, mentoring opportunities and employer partnerships. We also run a growing ambassador network made up of women working across different STEAM industries who share their experiences and provide relatable role models for the next generation.
At the heart of everything we do is our belief that “You can’t be what you can’t see.” By helping girls see successful women in STEAM, we can help them imagine themselves in those careers too.
What is your favourite part of running Not Just Girls?
Without a doubt, it’s seeing the impact we have on young people.
Some of the most rewarding moments come after an event when a student says, “I didn’t know that job existed,” or “I didn’t realise engineering was something I could do.”
Many young women rule themselves out of opportunities before they’ve even had the chance to explore them. Being able to challenge those perceptions and help someone feel more confident about their future is incredibly rewarding.
I also love bringing together our growing community of ambassadors and supporters. Seeing women from different industries come together to support the next generation reminds me why Not Just Girls exists in the first place.
One thing that’s really important to us is that we’re not just focused on inspiring young women to enter STEAM careers, we’re focused on helping create environments where they can thrive once they get there.
Improving representation isn’t simply about increasing numbers; it’s about building cultures where everyone feels welcomed, supported and able to succeed.
We’re currently focused on expanding our partnerships with employers, schools and educational organisations across the UK so that we can reach even more young people and continue driving meaningful change.
What did you study at University Centre Weston?
I completed the Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship at UCW, specialising in Cyber Security.
Whilst my academic pathway was centred around cyber security, the apprenticeship exposed me to a wide range of disciplines and helped me develop skills that I now use every day in systems engineering, stakeholder management and problem-solving.
My time at UCW was incredibly valuable and played a huge role in shaping both my personal and professional development.
Studying as a degree apprentice gave me the opportunity to immediately apply what I was learning in a real working environment, which made the experience highly practical and engaging.
The lecturers were supportive, the learning environment was collaborative and I was surrounded by people from different industries and backgrounds, which helped broaden my perspective and develop my professional network.
How has doing a degree apprenticeship helped in your career?
I completed my degree apprenticeship whilst working at Synoptix.
The biggest advantage of the apprenticeship route was being able to gain real industry experience whilst studying for a degree. Rather than graduating and then entering the workplace, I was able to develop technical skills, professional confidence and practical experience simultaneously.
The apprenticeship accelerated my development significantly. It gave me exposure to real projects, senior stakeholders and complex challenges much earlier than I might have experienced through a traditional university route.
Since completing my apprenticeship, I’ve progressed into a Principal Systems Engineer role at a new company, and I firmly believe the combination of academic learning and hands-on experience played a major role in that journey.
We’re honoured to have been of the journey that Becky has taken into STEAM which in turn has helped her grow as a passionate advocate for women and girls in these areas. We wish her all the best with her efforts with Not Just Girls! If you are as inspired as we are and want to study on Becky’s course, click here! As we celebrate ten years of UCW in 2026, we want to look back at the thousands of students and alumni from the beginning through to the present. We are so proud of our alumni, with many going onto incredible jobs, both in the local community and around the world!
This degree apprentice alumni success forms part of the Computing and Digital Technologies Careers Excellence Hub; University Centre Weston is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands.
