Placement Review at BAE Systems Submarine Solutions

The Role

Role Description

Responsible for the performance and welfare of the Astute Class Submarine.

Placement consisted of four threee month placements put these are very flexible. Worked in Naval Architecture, Commisioning, Platform Design and Marine Design.

In Naval Architecture I worked on producing documentation for command guidance, done through checking previous calculations and learning how to use software that simulates the behaviour of the Astute Class submarine.

In the Platform Design looked at the integration of the whole design and assessed the effect upon the performance of the boat when certain parameters of the design were changed. Got a good overview of the design. Also worked with the MOD to produce a Propulsion and Manoevring Systems Certificate of Safety to go to Sea. My Role in this was to look at all on board systems and describe how they fitted into the Scope of the Certificate.

1. To what extent did you enjoy your work placement or internship?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Very good, work has been varied and interesting I cannot give it the maximum as it is still the only job I have had related to this profession, which I now want to work in!

2. To what extent did you feel valued by your colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Most people at the company are friendly and happy to help, everyone has to help each other to get things done.

3. To what extent were you given support and guidance by management/your supervisor(s)?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

All of the Managers were very approachable and I had the freedom to work independently and prioritise my work myself.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Work is very up and down, sometime you are very busy, other times you struggle to find things to do, greatly depends upon the Manager, but you can easily leave a placement that is not going well.

You can always find soem work to do.

5. How much responsibility were you given during your placement?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

In some instances I was given a lot of responsibility I got the opportunity to present some of my work at a senior level to the Royal Navy, which was brilliant.

Most of the work you get given is important, it doesn't always seems that way though as you son't always get a lot of deadlines to go with te work.

6. To what extent did/will the skills you developed, and training you received, assist you in your degree studies and beyond?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Definetely a worthwhile experience, I have made a career decision, I know what I want my profession to be now from this experience. The amount of departments at the company from project management through to engineering and the freedom to do a placement in any of the departments (providing you have the adequate qualifications) ensure that most people can find a job that is right for them.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Depending on the office I worked in, most places were good, always sat next to friendly people. The heating in the office is not always regulated well, feels hot and stuffy sometimes in two of the offices I was in.

8. How well organised was the overall work placement or internship set up?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Relatively well, have the freedom to do what you want, not sure if there should be more regulation though to help you get relevent competencies to become chartered, however you can choose where you work and there is something to learn wherever you are.

9. In terms of personal training and development, to what extent did the company or firm invest in you?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Not very much as a placement year, I had the choice to do some courses and i know others that have done very expensive courses. But I could not find a courses that were necessary for me. I have given it the highest rating though as opportunities are here and less investment in placements as oppose to graduates is understandable, but the best thing was having trips to university to see my tutor and for presentations, etc. paid for by the company, this really helped.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised/Company Gym

11. How appealing are future employment prospects within the organisation?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Very Good place to work. Although I would say it is there are few products produced by the company and the overally product (a submarine) takes decades to build you will never see it though. There is enough complexity and diverse areas in the design to keep you busy for a long time though and you are always learning things

Other Information

12. Was there a good social scene amongst any fellow placement students/colleagues?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The location is not great at all for me and the town is not nice but there are about 190 graduates and placement students so there is always people about, some places only have about 4 or 5 people. So this is excellent. I live with two other placement students who work in a different area to me.

13. What was the cost of living and socialising in the area you worked in?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Extremely Cheap

14. What was the Nightlife like in the area you worked?

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 0/10

There is one but it is not very good, although there are always people about you can go out with. Other places to go out are too far away.

15. Were there many opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

A lot of charity work etc. to get involved in. I personally try to get involved in promoting engineering more then anything else.

I am from South England and it is too far away for me to partake in some of my hobbies.

There is stuff to do here, especially in the lake district, which is good, providing you look in the right places.

I got a bit too used to city life.

In addition to these questions, is there any extra information you would like to leave about your experiences on your work placement that other students may be interested in?

Very good placement, job is amazing, so many opportuities.

Location isn't that good in my opinion, you will struggle to get by without a car (as I have done). However if you are willing to Travel there are some very nice places in the lake district and villages outside the town probably about 20 to 30 minutes from work depending on where you go.

Would reccomend to anyone, also a company that provides a secure job as the contracts are for defence they are needed, people are always in demand and there is always a big choice of work to do.

Review 12/42 for BAE Systems Submarine Solutions

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