EDUCATION
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING YOUR HEART :
MAKE YOUR PASSIONS WORK FOR YOU
ARE THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE WEIGHING UP THEIR OPTIONS FOR THE FUTURE ? THIS IS THE STORY OF THREE YOUNG WOMEN WHO TOOK A CHANCE AND FOUND FULFILLING CAREERS AT ONE OF KENT ’ S LARGEST PRIVATE EMPLOYERS – BAE SYSTEMS IN ROCHESTER .
At age 23 , Nikita , a production line auditor , was unemployed and living in supported housing when she applied for work experience via The Prince ’ s Trust Movement to Work scheme . “ I thought it would be great for my CV – I definitely didn ’ t expect to be offered a job at the end ,” says Nikita . “ I went with BAE Systems because it ’ s an engineering company and I ’ ve always loved to take things apart and see how they work before putting them back together again .
“ I ’ d had other jobs before , but it was BAE Systems that gave me the chance to have a career . I ’ ve had lots of opportunities since working here and I ’ ve gone from strength to strength . I was recently promoted , I live in my own flat and I feel really settled .
“ In my new role , I make sure the quality of the things we make is at a good standard . I get to see all the different products and build stages , and meet lots of people . Everyone is so friendly and supportive .
“ My advice to anyone considering a tech career at BAE Systems is to get stuck in . You ’ ll be taught everything you need to know and you ’ ll learn so much . After four years , I still love working here and I ’ ve got a great work-life balance .”
When it came to choosing her GCSE and A-level options , Zoe , a software engineer , wasn ’ t certain what career path she would take . “ I got my first computer when I was six and ever since then I ’ ve not been able to get off it !” She says . “ I chose computing and was the only girl in my class at Sixth Form , which nearly put me off , but when it came to applying for university , I thought I ’ d just go for it .
“ My advice ? Go with your heart . I did English language , computing , biology and psychology at A-level . I went for what I enjoyed rather than what I thought was acceptable . You don ’ t need it all figured out straight away . If you go for subjects that are a bit different , you ’ ll end up being more well-rounded . When I applied for my BSc in Computer Science with a year in industry , I made sure I had a really strong personal statement that emphasised my passion for software engineering .
“ My placement with BAE Systems was far from home , and I ’ d never been to Kent before , but I thought I ’ d take a chance . I particularly love Rochester town centre and the graduate community are brilliant . I missed Rochester so much after I went back to university that I applied for the graduate scheme . Now I ’ m a fully fledged software engineer and every day I get to work on really cool technology that is contributing to something much bigger than myself .”
Aga , a graduate qualification engineer , was always interested in STEM , but it was a chance encounter with aeroplane modelling that sparked her interest in aviation . “ I ’ ve never been afraid to try something new and it was when I took a free class at my local community centre that I realised I wanted to pursue a career related to avionics ,” says Aga . “ I moved from my home in Poland to the UK for my Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aerospace Electronic Engineering and completed a year in industry at BAE Systems in Rochester .
“ I loved my placement so much that I applied for the graduate scheme . I love coming to work every day . It ’ s really handson and no two days are the same . I also help to promote women in engineering through an on-site group that I co-lead . As well as having meaningful conversations , we organise relaxed social events and make sure that new starters feel welcome .
“ I ’ d say to anyone considering their options - don ’ t be afraid to apply ; whether it is a summer internship , a placement year , or a graduate scheme , because the feeling of putting all that knowledge you have gained at university into practice is very rewarding . You ’ ll learn a lot and it will be a valuable experience that can guide you in your future career path .”
Learn more at baesystems . com / jobs .
168 • www . insidekent . co . uk