Simulation and Modelling Summer Placement Review

I was given a project to complete across my placement, whilst in the department. Day to Day was responsible for developing a new tool using the MATLAB environment, this included writing the code, documentation and performing continuous reviews of the tool both within the department and with stakeholders to ensure the project progressed in the correct direction. Also got to get involved in research for new technologies to be used by the department and how they may be implemented in years to come.

Across the placement got experience with a number of new skills and developed existing ones. The majority of the work was in the MATLAB environment, so hugely developed my MATLAB skills including in Simulink and developing GUI's. Also worked in tools such as Python and learnt about using Simulation as a Service(SaaS). Also learnt more about how software develops including version control, and agile development. And learnt more about the industry as a whole and how weapon systems are developed.

Yes, after the initial training I was given my own project to develop. Whilst the team was on hand to help when I had issues. I was given responsibility to do most of the development independently. I was given the opportunity to demo and present the software to other external teams, and was given the skills and resources needed to succeed. At the end got to hand the project over to be used be another team.

During the placement I received very good support and guidance, my manager was on hand to answer any technical questions I had, and on top of that having a technical coordinator who is in charge of Early Careers in the department was another good port of call. Everyone in my team would be happy to answer any questions or queries if they arose and it was a good supportive environment, where you could ask any questions you had.

Very good company culture. Within my department there was quite a relaxed environment, people would be happy to chat, and it didn't feel pressurised or stressful at all. Company had nice buildings with a good cafeteria which was good to go meet people for lunch and sit and chat. Everyone you met was friendly and welcoming, however not always loads of opportunities to meet people from outside your team, depending on the work you are doing.

I really enjoyed the opportunities I got on the internship. Getting to meet a wide variety of people of all ages and background was great and got to learn a lot of them. The work was interesting and engaging, and the company seems to allow for a very good work life balance, with targets being reasonable. There are good opportunities for flexible and dynamic working. So overall a very enjoyable experience in which I learnt a lot.

Yes

Make sure your CV is well written and details out all your experience. Make sure you have some engineering experience you can talk about whether it be from University or other parts of your life. May be some technical questions so have a research what your department does and learn at least the basics and feel comfortable talking about them in an interview. And for the assessment centre just be yourself don't put too much pressure on it.