Bristol Defence Summer Internship Review

Role involved taking part in the aerothermal sector of product performance and thermofluids team. Day to day job consisted in one major task where a database had to be created. Other opportunities to meet people and explore other sectors of the company were taken on a weekly based.

Understand the bigger picture of doing a repetitive and long task. Loads of new skills on turbomachinery, particularly regarding compressor side of gas turbines / aeroengines. Presentation skills, asking questions and meeting people (networking).

I was fully trusted to carry on this major task but it was a very low responsibility task. I was at some point asked if I was ready to take on a higher responsibility task, to which I replied yes, but never got to perform that task due to time constraints.

I was placed alongside an expert in the aerothermal sector of product performance. He gave me all the support I needed in terms of technical knowledge. In terms of team environment I felt quite disconnected as I was working separately from the remaining team members. In terms of IT and equipment support I also felt quite low engagement from the company. Some people ended up helping on this side of things.

The office I was located was mainly composed of older engineers, so hard to relate and engage in conversations. Nonetheless, the atmosphere with other interns was quite good both professionally (helping each other and sharing experiences at work) but also socially (very good activities organized outside of work). The general atmosphere at Rolls was very welcoming, especially from younger people such as grads. Nice activities organised.

Great for a summer working experience. If I were full time at Rolls, I would expect much more from the project work side of things. I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunities provided to explore the company and its resources. I also enjoyed the work life balance.

Yes

If they were doing a summer internship, I would tell them that it's not the most exciting work in terms of a technical engineering point of view. Nonetheless, I would reinforce the possibilities to explore and discover different sides of the business, and also the great social side of things.