16 September 2019
Why did you join Leonardo?
I joined Leonardo because I knew I wanted to go into engineering. I was already aware of Leonardo due to careers talks they held while I was in school. At school I was interested in engineering and enjoyed learning how things worked. My Granddad liked woodwork and this got me inspired to start my own projects and choose engineering-related subjects at school.
Why was an apprenticeship the right path for you?
Despite knowing that I wanted to go into engineering, I wasn’t originally sure what area of engineering to work in. An apprenticeship with Leonardo was the right route for me as it gave me the opportunity to work within a variety of engineering disciplines, enabling me to discover which area of engineering suited me best. During my apprenticeship, I realised that the right discipline for me to pursue as a professional engineer was Electronics.
Tell us what you do in a typical day
There isn’t really a typical day for me, since my job role is quite varied. One day I could be planning and writing documents for the top-level system design, and the next I could be focusing on a much more detailed level, working out how the system functions in-depth. It all depends on what project I am working on, and at what stage of the engineering lifecycle it is at.
What do enjoy most about your job?
Within my job there is always such a wide range of work, and this variety keeps my role really exciting. I am also lucky enough to be involved in Leonardo’s STEM programme. As a STEM ambassador, I’ve helped run different events, including the Big Bang Fair with fellow apprentice Luke Petch, and Leonardo’s school outreach programme.
What have been your best moments so far?
My best moment to date was being nominated by my team for the 2019 IET Technician of the Year. I was also proud to achieve my HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Oaklands College, and to be accepted onto a BSc Engineering with Management course which I started in September 2019.
What are your career aspirations?
I aim to carry on working in engineering, in order to gain more of an in-depth understanding into systems knowledge. One of my goals is to conduct trials and test systems in the real world. I would like to continue working on solving various challenges and improving system functionally and performance.
Why should someone consider an apprenticeship at Leonardo?
Leonardo’s apprenticeship pathway is a great way to gain experience of working in various engineering departments. The apprenticeship also provides a fantastic opportunity to further your educational qualifications. Everyone at Leonardo has always been welcoming, easy to work with and happy to help.