Australian Maritime College student Anna Smith said she was inspired to study engineering after encouragement from her uncle, who works in the industry.

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"I've always enjoyed problem solving in my subjects at school and I feel engineering is a great way to apply it in the real world," Ms Smith said.

"In college I did an electronics course and it was the best course I've done really. I liked the technology and what [electrical engineering] can do."

Fellow AMC student Eddie James said she was drawn to engineering by her love of maths and science.

"From my previous career as a travel agent I also learnt that I like problem solving, and engineering seemed like a really obvious way to combine the two," Ms James said.

After completing a Diploma of University Studies last year, she was drawn to studying at the AMC.

"There are a couple of different pathways you can do through the AMC, I haven't exactly decided but I definitely want to work in the maritime industry," she said.

Ms James said the money would go a long way to helping her balance living expenses such as rent.

"It's going to be a real help, it will help me balance how much I work with how much I can study as well," she said.

Studying engineering through UTAS, Mileva Savic said she is unsure what direction she'll take after study.

"I've always had a passion for maths and science plus I want to make a difference to the world in any way I can... hopefully I can help the environment in some way," Ms Savic said.

Engineers Australia (Tasmania) acting-general manager Darren Beattie said less than 12 per cent of working engineers across the country are female.

"We're hoping that initiatives like this will help more females enter the profession," he said.

"The scholarships are a great way of supporting first year females during their studies. If they have that support and that financial support during their studies they have more time to focus on study."

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