Integration and Test Engineer Review

I was given the opportunity to work on what I felt most comfortable with and at my own pace. My manager ensured that I could try different aspects of the programme that I was working on

Everyone at Lockheed has treated me fantastically well, to the point I felt like an integral part of the team; indisposable at times. It did take me a while to get up to speed with the programme I was working on but everyone around me was very helpful in making me feel comfortable and welcome

My manager was extremelely helpful in supporting me during my placement; most of the time my manager was able to support any issues I had but if not; then further support was always provided.

The majority of the time, I was kept busy enough to ensure that I wasn't bored at any point but at the same time, but not too busy to the point I had stressful days. On the odd occassion, I would either have way too much or way too little work to do, having too little generally wasn't an issue as my manager or technical lead could always provide extra work. I did sometimes have to work to very tight deadlines so balancing multiple pieces of work at once was tricky.

Initially whilst I got up to speed with the day to day workings, I wasn't given a huge amount of responsibility. The key personally for me was to ask my manager to get involved with some other activities on top of my regular day to day work, I had the opportunity to personally manage key programme requirements and milestones; all of which were being closely monitored by management. As I began to prove myself, other tasks were recomended by various engineering managers to be completed be myself. Gaining the trust and belief in not only my own manager but other managers as well was the key to me being given the level of responsibility that I had.

In terms of the technical side of the programme, not much probably will contribute to what I am studying at University; merely because what I am studying is vastly different to what my placement involved. However I have both gained and developed many skills including a technical knowledge and understanding of an integrated system which would prove particularly useful to many companies today. I have developed my communication, problem solving and team working skills as well as develop an improved analytical approach to the way I tackle issues

The office generally was very quiet, everyone however was very friendly and up for a chat every now and then. At times it could be quiet, but I was allowed to listen to my iPod which was good when I wanted to get a dull task over and done with

I was given a clear role from the first day; changes in personel aided me in taking up further tasks and broadening my system knowledge and understanding

I was given initial compliance training to understand the company ethic and code of conduct, as well as be given a mentor who would help me progress and aid me in taking up new tasks and opportunities

I have been given an offer of a summer placement next year as well as a letter of intent in regards to a graudate job after I have completed university, and I still have another two years until I graduate!

The interns and graduates regularly met up to go out together, whether that be clubbing on a Friday night or trips away

Portsmouth generally isn't particuarly expensive to live, my house was but only because I didn't hunt around enough for a property. Theres plenty to do in and around Portsmouth, plenty of places to visit and all relatively cheap

In Havant, no night life exists. It's advisable to live in Portsmouth where the commute isn't very far (10 minutes by train) where the night life is great! Multiple clubs and bars all mixed with Portsmouth University so a great student life

There were volunteering opportunities given, as well as various sports clubs. I was a member of the Football club where we met every Tuesday for 5/6-a-side matches