Herlinde - Electronics Technology and
Design Graduate
Herlinde joined MBDA as a graduate engineer
in 2001 and hasn't looked back since.
"I love the job I do because every day is
different and I have control of my career.
My first two years on the graduate scheme
were spent in the Electronics Technologies
and Design Department. Everyone was very
friendly and always had time to answer my
questions, which was good because the
placements take you into new areas where the
learning curves are very steep."
"Since completing the graduate scheme I've
been responsible for the electronics design of
one of the subsystems of the Meteor missile.
It's a very daunting task but I'm relishing the
challenge and love being able to apply my
degree knowledge to real problems. Earlier
this year I realised one of my career ambitions
when, thanks to the support of my managers
and colleagues, I achieved Chartered Engineer
status with the IEE."
Herlinde is also a Technical Co-ordinator,
responsible for the development of all the
graduates and trainees within her department
and a mentor for a trainee on the scholarship
programme. "Not only is this very enjoyable,"
says Herlinde, "but it has helped me develop
my leadership and interpersonal skills."
Outside work Herlinde is a Cub Scout leader
for a local group and has used some of her
PASS scheme cash towards First Aid and
other training courses. And one of the best
things for Herlinde is flexible working. "My
flexitime is worth a lot to me, on Fridays I
can leave at 12.30 so I can go away for the
weekend and miss the traffic."
Lee - Undergraduate
Lee spent a placement year at MBDA and
is now back at university continuing his
Computer Science degree.
"I chose MBDA because I wanted a company
that would look after my professional career
and give me real jobs that would stretch me. I
wasn't disappointed."
"It's a great scheme that ensures I get a good
understanding of engineering and analyses
what I need to develop further to become
a fully rounded member of the Institute of
Mechanical Engineers."
"The company has a real understanding of a
trainee engineer's needs and knows how to
capture your interest right from the start. As
soon as I joined I was assigned a Mentor who
made sure I was happy with the work and
training that I was given. We met up every
six weeks or so and I would show him my
log book with details of all the work I had
completed or been involved in, as well as
training courses and tours I had been on."
"I was given a buddy of similar age to my
own who had completed the same scheme.
He was there to help me but I found everyone
I worked with was very friendly. If I needed
to know anything my line manager and my
colleagues were only too pleased to help,
both technically and socially."
"MBDA stretched me, both in day to day tasks
and in my professional development. They are
well organised and see trainees as a priority
and an investment, not an inconvenience."
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