EDUCATION
EDUCATION T SPECIAL RT FEATURE
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
BUILDING A CAREER IN ENGINEERING: OSCAR’ S STORY
HOW ONE GRADUATE FOUND HIS PATH IN ENGINEERING AT BAE SYSTEMS- AND WHAT IT COULD MEAN FOR YOUNG PEOPLE CONSIDERING THEIR FUTURE.
Choosing a career path can feel like a big decision, but engineering offers a range of opportunities to explore. That’ s something Oscar discovered on his journey to becoming a graduate systems engineer at BAE Systems in Rochester.
“ I wasn’ t completely sure what I wanted to do after university,” he says.“ I tried a few different jobs and was looking for something aligned with my skills and interests when a friend recommended the BAE Systems graduate programme.”
Oscar recognised it was a good fit for his physics degree and hobbies, which include working on cars and motorbikes- activities that use problem-solving and practical skills.“ I have an engineering mindset, plus I’ ve always been interested in aviation and love going to airshows,” he says.“ Looking back, I’ m not sure why I didn’ t apply sooner.”
One of the benefits of the graduate scheme is the opportunity to experience different parts of the business before choosing a longer-term path. For Oscar, a highlight has been working on the Striker ® II Helmet- Mounted Display, which is being developed for pilots flying Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.“ I even got to visit an RAF base and saw a test subject using the helmet under g-force,” he says.“ It’ s rewarding to see how the technology we work on at BAE Systems supports people protecting our country each and every day.”
“ I’ m finding that at BAE Systems you’ re never stuck in one place. If you have skills or passions elsewhere, the company is definitely going to help you get there.”
BAE Systems’ graduate programme is designed to support development at every stage.“ The support you get throughout is really good and I feel that I’ ve been empowered with the tools I need to succeed,” Oscar adds.“ I already have a plan in place to explore other areas of engineering in addition to other parts of the business.”
Oscar’ s experience shows how exploring different options can lead to a career that combines practical skills with real-world impact. If you’ re supporting a young person considering their next steps, it’ s worth knowing there are multiple pathways into engineering. Through BAE Systems’ apprenticeship and graduate programmes, students can gain valuable industry experience, build in-demand skills and take their first steps towards a long-term career.
BAE Systems in Rochester is home to 1,900 people and continues to grow for the future. The company’ s employees have access to flexible working, a company contributed Share Incentive Plan, a competitive pension scheme, an employee assistance programme, employee discounts and an enhanced annual leave allowance. They also have access to social opportunities such as theatre trips, sports clubs and gaming clubs. Find out more by visiting the website.
careers
. baesystems. com / graduates baesystems
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