System Engineer Review

Given plenty of work from the moment i walked through the door. The work was meaningful, and the team i worked with were both supporting and nurturing in giving me the best possible opportunities whilst i worked there. They gave me great advice and were willing to help whenever i became stuck or in trouble. HOWEVER THE JOB IS DRIVEN BY YOU! If you just do as your told and don't discuss with your manager what you WANT to do or what your interested in you may not enjoy the work your given.

The teams that i worked with took me in as one of there own almost instantly. Never felt like i was being left out of the loop or sidelined. This was extended to external activities with the team, such as travelling to do inspections around the company, to the team holiday dinners/ and inter team gokarting that we did.

My line manager was very supportive to me and always put time aside to push me in the right direction. Would always keep an eye on me even after i had found my feet. Very nurturing, and eased me into the company at a pace that didn't feel overwhelming or rushed.

Due to the size and nature of the company, there are (few and far between) moments where you may find yourself without work. This can easily be negated by asking for experience with other teams (a secondment), which most managers are happy to accommodate; if they're not its because they have work for you!

Once i had gotten to grips with the company structure and framework, i took on the same level of work as everyone else in the team. Eventually towards the last quarter of my placement i even began a system upgrade for one of the pieces of equipment i looked after. The upgrade was driven by my recommendations and business case.

Invaluable experience for someone looking to become an engineer, even if its just a taste of what to expect. I left with knowledge of how to work in teams, communicate between teams, and at the end of the year, i had become a fully qualified Eng Tech within the IET. My first step on the way to becoming a chartered engineer.

Office environment was very friendly and co-operative. Every one is willing to have a chat both in and out of the office. If your there for the year you will definitely make some friends in the different offices. Expect to be invited out to events or just for a drink down at the pub.

The framework for industrial placements at the Sellafield site is a ever developing process and so you should give it a bit of leeway. That being said, any issues that arose tended to be delt with very quickly.

The company will invest money into you to get you to a standard of a nuclear professional. Training is most often delivered by the company (some of which is mandatory). Training may depend on your job onsite, however it is recommended that you speak to your managers about the most beneficial training for you.

By the end of the placement you MAY be offered a chance to come back and work for the company, dependent on your performance. However if you are a strong worker and have a good attitude you should get on fine. The company offers a decent sallary to graduates and likes to open you up to as many opportunities as possible.

If you are social then you will always find activities being organised around site, both in your teams and with fellow placement students. There is also a lot of social events for graduates at the company.

Living costs in cumbria are fairly cheap, and the salary allows you a lot of options to go out and explore. However it is cumbria so options are somewhat limited, however if you make some friends this shouldn't be too much of a problem. There is also alot of development happening around west cumbria to make it a more attractive and appealing place.

Surprisingly active for what you would assume would be a fairly quiet and tame country seaside environment. Its not going to be like a city with nightclub, however there is often live music and fairly upbeat and busy bars and pubs.

Driven mostly by what your interest are. Local activities can vary from shooting to fell walking or water sports and golf. Again if you make some friends in your team or fellow students then you will find all sorts of things to do. Great outdoor go karting is fairly near by also