Placement Year Review at NATS

The Role

Role Description

I have been looking at what avionics/equipment the airlines currently have installed on their aircraft for various communications, navigation and surveillance systems and services. I am then investigating the airlines future intentions. This work has allowed me to be in communication with various senior engineers within NATS, contacts in Europe, as well as contacts within the airlines themselves.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

My placement has been highly enjoyable. I have been able to explore an area of engineering where I have not had any previous experience and it has exposed me to a technology rich environment. I have been able to appreciate the complexities of Air Traffic Control and the amount of engineering which is required which is rarely seen.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was welcomed within my section from the first day and have felt a valued member of the team since. I have been treated the same as any other employee which has been a great experience as it is very different to university life!

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I have been highly supported by my managers. Training has been given where appropriate, reviews have been conducted and I am able to speak to my management whenever I require any assistance. My managers are always willing to stop what they are doing to have a chat at any time.

4. How busy were you on a daily basis?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Some days I have been very busy, other days have been more steady. I have been aware of the work which I have to do and the timescales in which it must be completed which has enabled me to effectively manage my time so that I don't become swamped with work or have too little to do.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I feel as though I have been given a lot of responsibilty throughout my placement. As I settled into my section and gained experience in the relevant areas, I was given new pieces of work to complete which have some degree of importance attached to them, for example a report to be presented to senior management and external contacts.

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

Although I haven't used any of the technical content from my degree at university, I have been able to apply all of the softer skills and be able to think like a professional engineer. The industry of Air Traffic Management is new to me and I hope to be able to extend my knowledge of this field of engineering in the future with the possibility of completing further studies which are relevant to the industry.

The Organisation

7. What was the general atmosphere in your office?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The atmosphere in my office is relaxed yet professional. Everyone knows they are here to work but they have fun at the same time. This increases moral and results in a well-knit team of engineers.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

On the first day I was given a training booklet. This contained details of my placement including, background to NATS, information about the engineering department and details about my specific role. NATS have a buddy scheme which entails a placement student being paired up with a graduate engineer as someone they can have a chat with. The placement students and graduates and actively involved with shaping the future of the schemes and have the opportunity to have some responsibility within this.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

I was given the relevant training required to complete my job and we had various training courses and away days. I received all the support I required and NATS help you on the route to become a charted engineer by providing an IET mentor if this is a route you wish to take.

10. What were the perks on your work placement?

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

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

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Since working for NATS I feel that this is a company which I would definetely want to work for once I have completed my studies. From the work I have been conducting, there are areas which I would be highly interested in exploring further and participating to in the future.

Other Information

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

The placement students and graduate engineers at NATS are constantly intergrating. We frequently go out in the evenings, have a pub lunch or just meet up for a coffee and a chat.

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

★★★★★★★★★☆

Rated 9/10

Hampshire is an expensive county to live in although it is not as expensive as Surrey where my university is situated! There are many pubs, clubs and restaurants and they are all reasonably priced.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

Being situated near Portsmouth and Southampton there is always something going on at night which placement students and graduates can be involved with.

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

★★★★★★★★★★

Rated 10/10

NATS have a sports and social club which enables employees to attend a whole variety of clubs and participate in many different sports.

Review 4/10 for NATS

Previous Next