Engineering Industrial Placement Student

I chose to do the industrial placement programme at Airbus Broughton to gain hands-on engineering experience. As a student from Belfast who regularly flies on an Airbus A320 between home and university in Sheffield, I was naturally curious about the company. My interest in sustainability, sparked by my studies in Chemical Engineering, led me to research Airbus's initiatives, including their commitments to the Green Deal, Net Zero, and SBTi. Seeing the commitment Airbus is making to pioneer a more sustainable future, I decided to apply.

The placement offered me the opportunity to develop my skills as both an engineer and an individual. I have gained real-world experience, moving beyond theoretical concepts to apply my knowledge to real-time situations. Beyond my engineering skills, I have also grown personally. The vast number of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) on site have allowed me to get involved in activities outside of my job, helping me integrate into the Airbus network.

I truly enjoyed building relationships with colleagues of all ages, finding common ground on the most unexpected topics. It was a great feeling to learn the "language of Airbus" and feel like a true member of the team. Although it was challenging at times, I am incredibly proud of how I have been able to apply my engineering degree and work as a professional engineer.

I stepped out of my comfort zone, leaving the familiarity of university and my peers for a professional manufacturing environment. This placement pushed me to grow, and I have been able to present to groups of over 70 people, significantly building my confidence. I have also gained valuable knowledge on technical topics by presenting my project findings in meetings and speaking up with confidence.