Having studied Aerospace Engineering at university, I found myself particularly enjoying the modules focused on materials science and engineering. This interest led me to complete my dissertation on materials, investigating defects within carbon fibre composites, which further reinforced my passion for the subject.
When applying for graduate programmes in my final year, I decided to focus on roles related to materials engineering, which led me to Babcock. One of the aspects that attracted me to the company was the structure of the graduate programme, with rotational placements across the business over two years. I saw this as a great opportunity to gain experience in a variety of areas while building on the knowledge I had developed at university.
The programme has given me valuable insight into the different processes involved in materials engineering and allowed me to gain a wide range of experiences. I was also drawn to Babcock’s commitment to professional registration, including funding membership fees for a professional institution and providing graduates with a mentor to support their journey towards incorporated or chartered status. Alongside this, the opportunity to support work that contributes to the UK’s defence and security made Babcock a particularly appealing choice.
What I’ve enjoyed most about the graduate programme is the variety it offers. So far, I’ve completed placements in non-destructive testing, metallurgy and welding engineering, giving me the opportunity to work in several different areas of materials engineering.
The opportunity to rotate between different teams has given me a valuable understanding of how each department operates and how they all work together. It has also allowed me to build on the knowledge I gained at university through hands-on experience, which is something I find particularly fulfilling.
One of the standout experiences has been the opportunity to work on board submarines. Before joining the company, I wasn’t fully aware of the scale and breadth of the work Babcock undertakes, so being able to support the deep maintenance of Royal Navy submarines has been incredibly rewarding.
I have also enjoyed learning to use specialist equipment that I had never encountered during my time at university. Seeing how this equipment is used in practice and how it supports engineers in their work has given me a much greater appreciation of the role materials engineering plays within the business.
Having time to switch off outside of work is something that’s important to me, so I’ve really valued the work-life balance at Babcock. At the Devonport site, employees work a 35-hour week, including an early finish on Fridays, which gives me more time to pursue hobbies and make the most of my weekends.
Flexible working arrangements also make it easier to balance work and personal commitments when needed. Alongside a generous annual leave allowance and the option to buy or sell up to a week’s leave each year, these benefits have helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance while developing my career.
Babcock is committed to helping graduates develop throughout the programme and beyond. For me, this includes working towards professional registration with the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), with the company covering the costs associated with professional membership.
There are also opportunities to continue building technical knowledge and skills through industry events, conferences and training activities relevant to my role.
In addition, every graduate is paired with a mentor who is professionally incorporated or chartered in a similar field. Having access to someone with that level of experience has been invaluable, providing guidance, advice and insight as I work towards my own professional registration.
