April
Materials and Analytical Science graduate
How long have you worked at AWE?
I started in October 2019, so I’ve been working nearly 1 year!
What did you study at university?
I did an integrated masters in Chemistry at the University of Manchester.
Tell us about your time at AWE?
As a graduate, I have been completing placements to see which areas of the company I like the best. Firstly, I did an induction programme with the other science graduates which helped me settle into the company and gain a broader knowledge of AWE as a business. My next placement was Systems, and I was able to work on my own project which was a mixture of lab work, data analysis and improving a process – I really enjoyed being able to obtain results which could benefit the team! Now, I’m currently in Conventional Material Science, where I am doing routine analysis which includes a lot of practical lab work which I enjoy!
Why did you choose AWE?
I chose AWE because I liked their specific graduate scheme. I liked the idea of being able to do explore different areas of the business by completing placements, which then helps you decide which area you wanted to specialise in. I wanted to work for a company, where I could utilise the knowledge I gained from my degree and work alongside experts in such an exciting field!
What’s the best thing about your job?
I like that when I come to work, I always learn something new. The teams are very friendly, and I do not hesitate to ask them questions about their work or processes or about the company in general! I love the variety involved with my work and my proudest moment was bringing a previously archived experiment back online!
What are the benefits?
As part of our graduate scheme, we had a team building trip away with other graduates on my cohort which I really enjoyed! The graduate community is one of my favourite things about the scheme just because everyone is so nice and there are so many opportunities to learn something new from your fellow grads and experts in your teams.
How do you see your career progressing?
I would like to keep progressing on a technical route and further improve my scientific knowledge and competence.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about joining the graduate scheme at AWE?
I would encourage you to ask people questions and reach out for advice, even if they’re not in your subject area. There are so many things you can learn while at AWE, and everyone is really friendly.
