Graduates

Current role and title

As part of my fourth placement with DESG, I decided with my mentor to join the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). The small naval architect team within the engineering office at Poole is responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of every lifeboat owned by the RNLI. I have managed many important tasks such as the trials of a new shock absorbing seat for the high speed RIBs, the writing of a repair specification for a lifeboat keel and the design of a new communications mast. Each of these tasks has involved consultations with industry and visits to RNLI sites.

What attracted you to the MOD and DESG?

The DESG scheme guides graduates towards becoming competent engineering project managers, with the flexibility to tailor their experience to areas personal of interest. Graduates organise their own 3-6 month-long placements with teams or companies relating to their specialism and these placements should progress them towards a permanent role within the MOD (e.g. I was able to choose a placement with the RNLI to progress my knowledge of naval architecture and to experience alternative project managing structures). The DESG scheme requires each graduate to document their learning during the two years, which although is time-consuming, is a pre-requisit to achieve engineering chartership through the engineering council.

Highlights of your career to date

My first placement with in-service submarines allowed me to experience all areas of a submarines life, from the new construction of the ASTUTE class in Cumbria, to in-service operations in Scotland and overhaul work in Devon. Through discussions with many submarine operators I gained a basic understanding of submarine operations. For my second placement I jumped at the chance to work in Washington DC for 6 months with the US Navy. During this time I lived with a colleague and experienced the American way of life. Working within a US Naval base I developed a report on advanced landing craft and gained the opportunity to drive US Navy RIBs.

What you hope to achieve in the future

I am currently working towards attaining engineering chartership through the Royal Society of Naval Architects. Since leaving university, DESG has helped me experience many more engineering competencies than my friends in other Naval Architectural companies and I am on track towards chartership within the next 2 years. My plan is to re-grade at the end of the two-year DESG scheme in the maritime trials commissioning and acceptance group (MCTA) although there is still scope for me to change my mind.

What advice would you give someone thinking of a career in the MOD

It is important to note that many of the positions within the MoD are primarily project management roles, overseeing the work carried out by industry. This will allow you to experience a diverse range of engineering issues in a short timeframe, and this should promote your engineering knowledge towards ensuring the MoD gets the best value for money from its contractors.