DSUS Summer Placement Review

Provided with a variety of projects and tasks involving project management, public speaking and task delegation. Requires an aptitude in presentational and communicative skills as well as competency in a team environment. Projects assist in providing the intern with an understanding of AWE's place in the defence industry. Projects are complemented by learning days in which speakers from the wider defence industry and within AWE's networks engage in talks with interns, providing opportunities to find connections within the industry and gain a sense of wider domain awareness. There are weekly learning days in which interns are taken to various sites and attractions relevant to the defence industry and AWE's broader mission.

Soft interpersonal, managerial and communicative skills were developed. Enhancing skills in public speaking, project management and operating within a team environment. Development of these soft skills are extremely useful in enabling a STEM student to make an impact within industry by improving their ability to operate in team and corporate settings.

We were placed in full responsibility for our assigned projects, with the ability to seek assistance from facilitators if needed. With some exceptions the majority of projects and tasks were designed to assist in the development of soft skills, with minimal risk of projects were to go wrong due to them being designed to facilitate our learning. There will likely be opportunities to assist in more significant roles within the business but this will need to be volunteered and/or sought after by the intern.

Extensive support and guidance, both within our projects and with future career and networking opportunities within AWE and the wider defence industry, through facilitators and guest speakers during learning days. It is advisable to seek out advice and contacts with regards to specific opportunities, but this is on the initiative of the intern to seek them out, where they will receive a substantial amount of support.

Positive atmosphere and pleasant work environment, welcoming and highly competent facilitators willing to assist interns in projects, careers and academic matters.

A very enjoyable and useful internship, I have developed a large array of soft skills that will be highly useful within any setting in industry and academia. The contacts I have established through this internship will serve me well throughout my career.

Yes

Seek out opportunities on your own initiative, there is a substantial amount of opportunities available and extensive amount of support regarding them but they will not be handed to the intern. Engage with all the projects provided, as well as the guest speakers and facilitators as they are extremely informative and knowledgeable within their fields and with regards to the company and wider industry.