My main focus when I left university was to join the Aerospace and Defence sectors. Meggitt stood out compared to other potential employers because of the diversified opportunities that offers in these sectors and the ability to explore different roles within technical and business functions. The global outlook of the company which transfers to the graduate programme, since it enables you to work at sites either in Europe, US or the Asia-Pacific region, also contributed to my decision to join Meggitt as I wanted to expose myself to challenging international opportunities and learn how to adapt in different working cultures.
The programme is unique because of the size of the graduate cohorts. Approximately 15 graduates join the company each year and we all get assigned a business mentor who helps us navigate career decisions and potential placements within the scheme. There is also a very strong sense of community between the graduates and we all have a strong network which helps us during placement transitioning. The best thing about the programme is the duration of the placements and the importance of your role for the team as you’re given real responsibility and you’re expected to deliver high-quality work. The 9-month period allows you to make and impact and contribute to the company’s success.
Earlier this year I completed my first placement as a Lean Operations Engineer, working for two sites of Meggitt, in Coventry and Birmingham. I had the chance to work on exciting projects such as the Airbus A220 Braking System and a variety of Heat Exchangers fitted in commercial and military aircraft. My role included resolving challenging production issues and improving operational performance. Currently, I am in my second placement working as an Operations and Process Excellence Leader ensuring the Ansty Park Facility enables results at all levels and the various functions work effectively while implementing best practices.
One of the best moments so far was when I obtained my Green Belt after completing a lengthy and challenging project which resulted in significant improvements for a family of products of the Thermal Management product group. Quantifying the impact of my work into financial improvements was definitely a high point and it enabled me to build my credibility. Another great moment was interviewing the CFO of the company, as part of the Young Professionals Employee Resource Group. She shared advice and important information that I will carry with me into my future career and I had the chance to share that with my network in Meggitt.
