Placement Review at NATS

The Role

Role Description

Worked on the voice communication systems between air traffic controllers and aircraft. This included:
- producing safety assurance documents
- installing and testing new voice control systems
- conducting audio quality investigations around Wimbledon
- producing voice communication outage analysis software
- testing airborne radios with the military
- conducting site surveys at remote outstations (e.g. Tiree island)
- producing technical evolution plans for voice communication systems

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The job was very interesting with oppertunities to do some very exciting and varied work.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The people at NATS, especially in my section, were incredibly friendly. They were always willing to help and made the job so much more enjoyable.

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

★★★★★☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 5/10

Management support is given when asked for. I was treated, for the most part, as an experienced engineer. This was daunting and meant I was out of my depth a lot. However, this was great experience and I have developed much more because of it.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Vaired hugely. At times work was lacking. Others I was overloaded. The majority of the time the work balance was appropriate.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

As previously stated, I was thrown right in! I was given a lot of resonsibility with certain tasks, sometimes pivatol roles.

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

Working with people skills developed which will never leave me. Also 'thinking on my feet' skills developed and will be very useful in future.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★☆☆☆☆

Rated 6/10

It's an open plan office. So as expected is very quite most of the time.

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

I was the first placement student to NATS in many years. Hence the placement work was mostly ad hoc. However, there is now an official scheme which I hear is well structured.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

The company invested much money in sending me on courses and developing me.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

• Subsidised Canteen
• Sports and Social Club
• Subsidised/Company Gym
• National Travel
• Financial Bonus
• Company Parties/Events
• Above 25 days holiday

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Got a job with them. Start back when I complete my degree.

Other Information

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

★★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 4/10

There were no other placement students so there was no social scene! However retirements, leaving doo's and away day socials were always very good fun - even if i was the youngest by 15years!

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

★★★☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Rated 3/10

Hampshire is an expensive area, especially renting. However Portsmouth and Southampton Uni are close by hence some clubs were cheap.

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

★★★★★★★★☆☆

Rated 8/10

Portsmouth and Southampton very close by. Big cities with universities hence a good night scene.

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

★★★★★★★☆☆☆

Rated 7/10

Lots of social clubs and events related to work.

Review 2/10 for NATS

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