Engineering Global Graduate

Emily joined the GKN Aerospace Global Graduate Programme after studying aerospace engineering at university. Through placements in stress analysis, design, manufacturing, and programme management, she’s gained technical experience on a number of large programmes and earned an APM qualification. She’s building confidence and skills to pursue a future as a technical expert and project manager in aerospace.

How did you hear about the GKN Aerospace Global Graduate programme?

I studied for a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering at Swansea University and I was planning to do a master’s, but I decided I didn't want to do it. So, I Googled graduate jobs and found the analysis graduate engineering program at GKN Aerospace, so I applied and got straight in, which was really great.

I think the fact it was based in Bristol around so many other aerospace companies was quite a big attraction for me. And, I liked the idea of working on such a variety of programmes.

What did the application process involve?

I applied through the website, which included a couple of online questions and uploading your CV. Then I went straight to an assessment centre, which included an interview, mostly based around soft skills, so not very technical. We also had to present a previous project that we'd done, and there was a group project to see how you work with others. My previous experience of assessment centers was quite daunting, but the interview at GKN Aerospace was a friendly chat - I really enjoyed it.

What business placements have you experienced on the programme?

I started in September nearly 2 years ago, so I've had a bunch of placements across the business to get a glimpse of the different sides. I've done analysis, a bit of design, manufacturing, and some programme management. So, it’s mostly been engineering based, but in different areas.

The placements can be pretty much as long as you want. I've done some lasting three months and some six months. It's generally up to you what you want to do every six months or so. The main factor for me was being able to experience different sides of the business at different sites.

My first placement was in stress analysis, working on hydrogen concept components, so things like tooling for the tanks. I've done loads of stress analysis before, but it was really cool to do it on some future concepts. And now the tank is in the workshop; and in the future, I can say that I was part of the introduction of hydrogen aircraft.

I really enjoy that technical stuff and engineering in general – understanding how things work. And if we can make some more sustainable aircraft along the way, then that's absolutely brilliant.

My programme management placement was also really helpful in being able to present to experienced people. That really gave me the confidence to back myself, and I gained an accredited APM qualification, so I’ll have that for the rest of my life.

What support and development have you experienced during the programme?

My manager has been really supportive, helping me with my placements and all of my development. And I've had a mentor who’s in quite a senior position. She's really helped me to understand my future pathway, and she was the one who advised me to take the project management qualification. And the Global Graduate Programme manager is great – you can message her about anything, and she'll help you out.

The other graduates have also been really supportive. We've built a really great network, so if I'm ever struggling or if I need some advice or have a question, I can speak to any of them. Building such a big network straight away is brilliant. It could be useful in the future, if I know, say, the head of analysis in the US because we were on the Global Graduate Programme together.

All the global graduates get together at a different site every six months for a development week, with sessions on things like teamwork, coaching, or dealing with pressure. The main one for me was presentation skills. At the end of every rotation, I present to the director of stress analysis. Sometimes I stumble over my words because I'm a bit nervous, so seeing my confidence grow through the development session was really useful.

How are you accepted across the business as a graduate?

It sounds strange, but everyone seems to know who we are. Everyone knows about the Global Graduate Programme and what an important role it plays in our leadership development.

I was a bit worried about coming in as a female engineer, but I definitely feel like my voice is heard. No one treats us like we're just interns – they see us as full time members of the team. I think they're aware of the great work we’re capable of from the development weeks, and I think that gives us a bit more of an impactful role.

How did you become interested in engineering?

My dad's an engineer, so when I was young, we’d be on a road trip and he'd be talking about say, how a wind turbine works. I fought against following in his footsteps, but when I was a teenager, the family moved to California for a couple of years for his job. We flew between the US and the UK quite a lot and sitting on a plane just watching the wings, the flaps, and the spoiler, I started thinking: “this is really cool.” I think that's where my love came from.

What are your plans for the future?

I want to build my in-depth technical knowledge in analysis. As an analysis engineer, at the end of the graduate programme, I’ll be working with stress. Then hopefully I can make my way up through the ranks. We've got different technical excellence levels, and at the moment I'm level 2, but I want to work to Level 3, level 4, and then eventually work up to more of a management role. That’s where the project management comes in. So, being more of a technical project manager or something like that would be great.