Quality Engineering Intern Review

It was very interesting to liaise with suppliers regarding quality issues, and to deal with all sorts of important and 'live' quality issues and projects at Dowty Propellers. However, some weeks were quite slow, with not that much interesting work to do.

My position was really an actual position/job at Dowty with 'real' responsibilities and jobs that I was entirely responsible for and depended on. I worked extensively with colleagues and was often the point of contact for them regarding any quality issues.

I had two supervisors; one my actual boss, and another who reported to US management but with whom I dealt with often on a day-to-day basis regarding responsibilities and quality issues. Much support and guidance was given by both when needed, but they were also willing to step back and let me take initiative and do things on my own.

This depended on the weeks. The beginning of the month was busy as there were several reports to compile. Some weeks were busy, when there were several quality issues to handle, or a major temporary project (digitizing all our files, a specific quality-improvement project for a supplier, etc). Other responsibilities included re-approving suppliers (audits) and managing the database. Some days were however quite slow, as I was often ahead on my supplier audits and projects, and there were days where very few quality issues had to be dealt with.

Lots. See above - most or all of these responsibilities fell exclusively under my position, and it was my responsibility to manage the database, and ensure all was done correctly and on time. I was also the primary point of contact for quality for our suppliers.

A fair extent. Very little purely technical expertise to help me in engineering studies, but lots of soft professional skills - communication, data analysis, data processing, database and project management, report writing, etc.

Good. Quite relaxed and very easy to talk to everyone - work was done and employees were productive, but it was always possible and nice to stop and have a chat witha co-worker at a desk or by the water/coffee machine, etc. Several other interns were on placement too, which was nice

Very well - two-week handover period with the previous intern, clear salary and benefits provided the same way as for any GE employee. Some issues regarding provision of a computer and all the necessary software and programs for my job.

Investment was satisfactory. Again there are lots of GE online training courses which were useful but getting funding for other courses could be difficult. They invest in you for a solid future but could offer more training outside of the on-job necessities.

Not sure - will have to think about it. But some very interesting options, including a graduate program with 6-month rotations.

There were multiple other interns at my site along with apprentices and interns from Oil and Gas in the same building. We spent a lot of time together talking, helping and shadowing each other to gain exposure of multiple businesses.

Not particularly cheap (as it is Cheltenham, quite a nice town), but not expensive for the quality - decent value.

Good (relating to Cheltenham) - lots of bars, restaurants, lounges, clubs, a cinema....something for everyone.

Lots of extra activities such as sports clubs, women's network, volunteering etc