Manufacture Review

I have enjoyed this internship because it has been challenging, engaging and rewarding. Learned a lot and expanded upon my horizons in terms of learning how professionals conduct themselves, how to engage with colleagues and how to be a team player. I have also done some fun stuff slightly outside of my objectives such as sitting in a cockpit and getting tours of parts of the business other than where I work.

When I first arrived in the office I felt very welcomed. Day 1 was spent with the other interns of which there are around 20 and after that I went into the business unit I was assigned to, The people working with me are very nice and easy to talk to. Although I am only here for a short time I have been busy most weekends socially and played golf a number of times with colleagues.

With my managed I have had weekly progress meetings. I was given clear objectives at start of placement to adhere to, the progress of which was formally assessed at the midpoint of my placement. My manager has done a good job guiding me while leaving some room for me to do my own thing (pursue what most interested me) and really get the most out of my placement.

At first not very busy as BAE Systems is a large company with many steps to complete to get access to the basic software required for my role. Once I had this I quickly became busy and now have meetings most days with colleagues about the work I am doing. Now it is near the end of my placement I am very busy trying to wrap everything up, but I prefer being busy so its quite good actually.

Quite a lot actually. I have been left to do what I want in many regards (given guidance and objectives of course) and I don't feel limited by the fact I am an intern in what I can do and who I can talk to. I have had meetings with executives regarding my work and shared my own thoughts and ideas. I have also been able to implement new systems where I see fit as long as they are justified properly.

I hope the skills I gained here can be helped in my future career. I want to start my own company one day and have learned here how many factors must be considered, and how important proper software training is for employees. I have learned how to create a value stream map and develop a plan of the future state of a business, which allows for continual improvement, something BAE Systems values.

Very friendly and everyone was open to chatting. I felt shy when I first got to the office but everyone made me feel welcome. The radio is always on which provides a good background noise, but you are allowed to put headphones in if you wish. Also its very easy to spark up a conversation if you want one!

Overall it is well organised but initially there was some trouble getting logins for people to use various software. This meant some interns such as myself didn't have the ability to do all their work in the first week or so of the placement. Since then everything has been fine and getting access to new software is surprisingly easy (just have to call the right guy).

In terms of training, I have had to do quite a bit to get access to various software. I did 3 separate trainings to get access to 3 different software packages. I also have the opportunity to do training on things like EXCEL if I want. I also needed to get quite an extensive security clearance to be allowed to do my job, which I am sure want cheap.

Very appealing, There are many business streams and thus many paths to go down. BAE Systems is a well known company for treating their employees well, and it is very easy to move from one role to another. Also, its interesting to know you can never drop down a grade. So if you are a manager and you don't want to retire but you want to become a gardener, you can be moved to the gardening team and sill be paid as much as a manger...

We have a Facebook page which is used to organise socials. Also HR sets up monthly 'conferences' where we all come together and discuss the placement so we tend to reconnect then and organise a night out of bowling or something on the back of these. Also, as I mentioned, I have been golfing with my collegues 3 or 4 times already (and would go more if I could afford it) and there is a 5 aside team I was considering joining but didn't have the time.

Preston is very cheap. I pay £280 a month all in for rent, heating, electricity etc .in a decent house shared with 2 other people (both nice also). Nights out are cheap too. Don't expect the clubs to be like those in London, but Weather spoons can be fun if you want it to be! Just go with a big crowed and don't make eye contact with the locals too much.

Preston itself isn't that nice a city (compared to a big city like Glasgow or Manchester). If I got a full time job with BAE I would not live in Preston. I would live in Manchester or Liverpool and commute. Saying this though I have not had a bad night out here because the locals are always up for a laugh and are much friendlier than big city folk.

There is a graduate 5 aside team, as well as organised events with the 'welcome team'. This sort of thing is generally conducted by a graduate on something called a 'stretch assignment'. This means the graduate does a task outwith their normal working role. This is good as its people close to our age meaning the activities usually involve drinking :).