CHRIS HOLT

My background is a Business Studies Degree at the University of Leeds.  BAE Systems was rated quite highly in The Sunday Times Top 100, so I applied for the BAE Systems Graduate Scheme, as it was then.

I did various different placements over the two year graduate development framework scheme and then I applied for Sigma.  The Sigma scheme is a 3 year programme for business and is a 3½ programme for engineering, and I’m on the business side.  Its placement’s move you around the business; you’re free to move around any business unit that is available within BAE Systems.  It’s focused on developing the future leaders of BAE Systems.  The Sigma scheme is very, very different from the rest of my career to date.  There’s a lot of pressure for a start. There’s a lot of expectation to actually perform and deliver.  However, there are great support networks and Sigma is a really positive scheme to be on.

On Sigma, the biggest challenge to get over is also the biggest positive and that’s the mobility and the flexibility of everything.  You get a lot of different options and you’re expected to move as part of the scheme and that can be anywhere in the country, or the world! 

My advice would be do your homework, have a look whether BAE Systems seems right for you, whether you’re actually interested in the different areas of BAE Systems and then apply.  I really would.  It’s a really worthwhile place to work.