Trent 900 Whole Engine Design Review

I joined Rolls Royce in the Engineering Whole Engine Design team. I was appointed to Trent 900 project which was really exciting because a new engine modification package was being designed which incorporated many different modifications to improve the engine performance. I got to witness the design processes and was also given my very own engine modification to manager. I got to learn and practice the design processes Rolls Royce uses and also got an opportunity to network with many senior members of the company. I had real responsibilities in the company and I felt as a valuable member of the project.

I was part of a team of 12 people, I felt valued by my colleagues and they were always willing to help me whenever I came to a barrier or needed help. In the weekly team meeting, the other members of the team would always be very interested to learn what I have been doing. Furthermore we had regular team social events and weekly trips to the local golf course which helped to build strong relationships.

My manager was very supportive, we had regular "surgery's" meetings where me and my manager would sit down and talk about all the work that I have been doing and how I have been managing my time. I was also very easily able to highlight any training or courses that I wanted to attend and my manager would usually agree given that I had a good reason to attend

Most days I had a good balance but then when I was waiting on others to complete work, I would find myself with little work, this gave me an opportunity to access the RR Internet learning site and do a training course. I also found that sometime I would be required to work under pressure and finish work to meet meet tight deadlines. Overall this placement gave me a well round experience and the placement is what you make it, if you put yourself forward for more tasks and get involved more, Rolls Royce will always something for you to do.

I was given real responsibilities and was made to feel as a valuable member of the team, some of the work included being the engineering focal for build complaints, working on other build build issues, owning to 2 safety issues and owning an engine modification.

The placement in the whole engine design team did not help me develop technical knowledge that would help me specifically with my degree but it did help learn a lot about the gas turbine engine and develop other skills. The whole engine design team gives you an overview of the whole engine letting you to learn a lot about various systems and components work. I also learnt skills during this placement that have developed my character. These skills include working in a office environment, communication to persuade and attention to detail. Furthermore Rolls Royce have a very good learning and development centre which is available to Interns to learn and develop new skills.

The atmosphere was lovely, the Trent 900 project worked as a big team, the team celebrated when the engine passed certain milestones and everyone came together to wish someone good bye when they left. Everyone was friendly and it honestly a very nice experience.

I didn't get a summer holiday in the year I started working because I started work a week after my university finished, but the internship finishes in June giving you the opportunity to carry on for another 10 weeks or to take your summer break before you start university.

I was able to attend training and development courses with permission of my manager. Rolls Royce invest a lot in the interns, graduates and apprentices.

The graduate scheme is changing this year but hopefully I would be given a graduate position on the Engineering Scheme.

Yes there was a Facebook page set up, there was a football tournament and other social events for everyone to get evolved with.

Derby is much cheaper than Home (London) and the centre of town has loads of Bars, clubs and restaurants. Derby is relatively small so getting around is fairly cheap and quick.

Honestly, not much of night life person, but for those of you that do, there are lots of clubs and bars not too far from the main Rolls Royce site.

Loads of opportunities in the East Midlands and you're not too far from the Peaks if you fancy a quite stroll or a bike ride. Rolls Royce also have societies i.e. the Leisure Society, Apprentice and Graduate society which hold regular events. There is always something to do.