Aerospace Engineer Review

First placement in mission systems - manufacturing of test rigs/wire looms, coding, signal analysis and testing, equipment specs/requirements, producing technical documentation, overall handling of avionic systems.
Second placement in airframe design - working closely with structures to develop the airframe, use of CATIA, tolerancing, modelling, discussions with other teams like manufacturing or aerodynamics, coming up with design solutions, presenting in meetings and reviews.

Mission systems - not a lot; the work I was doing was meaningful and did have an impact on the business, however, a lot of it was done while shadowing other engineers or with a lot of help, if something was particularly difficult it was often not chased up or was taken on by someone else.
Airframe design - YES, prepared and presented reviews with chief engineers, led large and complex projects, was given deadlines which were chased up by team leads and project managers, and released aircraft parts from initial concept with minimal aid. Help was always given when asked though so although perhaps a little stressful at times, it was not overwhelming and was very gratifying.

Mission systems - Overall knowledge of avionics and handling or LRUs, communication, teamwork, LabVIEW, MATLAB, general electrical manual work (soldering, crimping, splicing, etc.), reading schematics, working with supplier data.
Airframe design - Huge increased understanding of aircraft structure and mechanisms, geometric tolerances and datums, CATIA, PLM systems, project management

The Early Careers team are helpful if you reach out to them but don't give much guidance over the main course of your placement. However, the teams I have worked with have been overwhelmingly supportive and have helped me identify routes for progression within the company and provided an invaluable network during my time here.
You really do get out what you put in, and any issues I've had in regards to workflow really benefit from you pushing your managers or senior members of your team for projects to do - the Early Careers don't really get involved until a last resort.

I was worried the working environment would be overly professional and that the team may not associate with an intern, but thankfully I was very wrong.
Everyone I've worked with this year have been extremely welcoming and friendly - I have been invited to social gatherings outside the office, been involved in many office debates and coffee trips, and really enjoyed the banter overall.
The overall company culture has been very positive too, especially towards undergraduates, apprentices, and graduates as it seems like everyone is very supportive and welcoming of early careers.

I've absolutely loved my year here to be honest, and I'll be genuinely sad when I leave in a couple of months. I'm going to miss the teams I've worked with a lot and the work has been really enjoyable and at times genuinely exciting.

Yes