RACHEL CLEMANCE
As part of the commercial graduate development framework you usually have four structured placements. I’ve currently had five because luckily enough I managed to find an opportunity where I wanted to split one up. So I did one in the supply chain function, getting to see what they did and how commercial communicate with supply chain and how we support them, and then for the remaining three months I went to Military Air Solutions in Warton working on the Nimrod commercial team. So I managed to get an overview of a different business area.
Commercial’s a really exciting role, it’s such a varied task and everyday is different. We’re at the forefront of the business. We’re trying to win new business so we’re constantly innovating and trying to get new business with other countries and governments, we negotiate contracts and we manage complex contracts. Commercial for me is a really exciting career, I think that it’s definitely where I want to be after the graduate scheme. Everyday can be a challenge, especially in commercial where everyday you can have something different. In particular on one of my placements I was given a £42 million bid proposal to prepare for the customer and so it’s really daunting thinking, wow I’m responsible for a £42 million bid and you need to get it right because you want the customer to accept it. So it is really challenging but the support around you is brilliant and everyone’s there to help.
BAE Systems develops, builds and supports some of the world’s largest defence and aerospace systems as well as continuously winning new business and I really wanted to work for a company that strived to be the best.
This year in September there’s a group of 27 graduates and apprentices that are lucky enough to be heading off to Peru to do some volunteer work. BAE Systems Submarine Solutions are sponsoring us to do this. Basically, we’ve got to raise around £13,000 and they’re matching every pound. So we are going to be building a community centre, we’re also going to be spending some time with street children and getting to help and support them, and then a few lucky ones are spending their own time going to do the Inca Trail for the last week.
