Placement Year Review at BAE Systems

The Role

Role Description

The BAE placement scheme at Military Air Solutions consists of 3 placements over 13 months. It is possible to choose from a wide range of diciplines in the final two placements to suit your own interests and abilities. My first placement was working on Eurofighter Typhoon in service support during which I analysed data taken from the aircraft to monitor the structural health of the airframe. The second placement I undertook was in the Simulation Department. This placement involved 3D modelling of aircraft, ships and vehicles as well as terrain design and some progamming all to help create the syntehtic environment used in BAE and customer simulators. My final placement was in Concept Demonstration. As it sounds, it was very much a cutting edge department, testing out new ideas and helping turn them in to a viable product both engineering and business wise.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The opportunity to have 3 placements during my time there was fantastic. It made sure that work in new, unfamilliar environments and made for great personal development. The work was extremely intersting and always challenging. The icing on the cake for me was the chance to travel to Spain on trials to test out our new product and watch it work!

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

During my time at BAE, I always felt that my work was valued. All of the tasks I did had real meaning and were not simply exercises for the placement student. The people around me treated me as full employee and were a pleasure to work with.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The undergraduate manager and my departmental managers were fantastically helpful thoughout the year and continue to be so even now I am back at university. There is always someone there to help answer questions and guide you.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

I was given alot of responsibility and work to do during the year, in particularly during my last placement. As with anywhere however, there are always quiet days. Overall, there was a lot of work to do and people counting on you to complete your tasks.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

In my first placement, I was liasing with the customer though telephone and email aswell as producing important reports that help keep the aircraft flying. in my second placement I was given a fesability study to concuct in to the possible use of a new piece of software and by the end of the placement and as such I was the only person there taht could use it and it was down to me to pass on my knowledge to the other members of the team. My last placment was extremely challenging and I was given the role of chief engineer on a project whilst helping on others.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The placement year at BAE has really helped me, not only in terms of the engineering content of the year, but in terms of personal skills development as well as reinvigorating me ready for my last 2 years at university.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Having experienced 3 different departments, generally, the atmosphere was very good. There is quite a number of other young people there (appretices or graduates) so you are not on your own by any mean.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

BAE Military Air Solutions have a fantasic set up for their placement scheme, wherby as a student, you complete 3 placements. As such you never get bored of a particular place/job role. Furthermore, there is a engineering HR placement manager who is always there to help you choose your next placmenet and give general placement advice.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

I felt a real valued employee, espcially with the opportunity to be chief engineer on a project and the trip abroad.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

• Flexi Time
• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Above 25 days holiday

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I have been asked to go back for a summer placment in 2010 and to go back after my degree to enter on the graduate scheme!

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

It was a small intake and as such it was as easy to loose contact with the few undergrads that were about!

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The prices did seem to be cheap that the area where I come from (Staffordshire).

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Preston and Blackpool are nearby so not bad but not great!

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

There are ususally departmental football teams join as well as a variety of social clubs and societies for hiking, flying etc

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?

BAE really was a fantastic company to work for and I really look forward to going back next summer!

Review 14/27 for BAE Systems

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