Current Role:
I am currently a Project Officer at Leonardo’s Lincoln site. My role is a hybrid one, involving the coordination of multidisciplinary teams to ensure projects progress smoothly and issues are resolved efficiently.
Academic Background:
I graduated with an LLB Law (Hons) degree.
Discovering Leonardo’s Graduate Schemes:
I first heard about Leonardo’s Early Career Graduate Schemes while browsing the Bright Network job board. Having no engineering background, I had never considered roles in this field, but I thought, why not?
What drew me to Leonardo was the opportunity to explore different parts of the business. Previous graduates spoke highly of the flexibility to grow and move between roles, which reassured me that I could both develop my skills and explore new areas within the company.
A Typical Day in the Role:
Every day is different.
Some days are customer-facing, running meetings to update clients on project progress or hosting demos of Leonardo’s latest technologies. Other days involve close collaboration with cross-functional teams, engineers, procurement, and commercial to support the planning and delivery of projects or bids that must meet customer requirements in terms of schedule, cost, and quality.
Applying a Law Degree in an Engineering Environment:
Even though my degree isn’t directly related to engineering, it has provided me with transferable skills essential in project management. My legal training honed my communication skills, writing clear reports, presenting information confidently, and engaging effectively with stakeholders.
These skills have proven invaluable when working with engineering teams, customers, and senior staff. While I’m not practicing law in the traditional sense, the core skills my degree taught me have directly enhanced my work.
Proudest Achievement at Leonardo:
My greatest achievement has been becoming the youngest STEM Lead at the Leonardo Lincoln site. This role has allowed me to design, lead, and deliver STEM outreach initiatives that inspire young people to pursue careers in engineering and technology.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see participants progress into the talent pipeline, some have gone on to secure apprenticeships, placements, or roles at Leonardo. Contributing to the next generation of engineers has been both motivating and humbling.
Hobbies and Interests Outside Work:
Outside of work, I am learning British Sign Language (BSL). Attending weekly classes has helped me build skills and confidence in communicating through sign language. Beyond being a valuable skill, BSL has deepened my awareness of accessibility and inclusion, encouraging me to think more broadly about communication.
Future Aspirations:
I aim to take on roles with increasing ownership and accountability, eventually progressing to Programme Manager. My long-term goal is to manage large-scale, strategically important projects that shape the future direction of the business.
Why Choose Leonardo as a Graduate:
I would wholeheartedly recommend a graduate role at Leonardo. The level of trust and responsibility given early in the scheme has been remarkable, allowing me to contribute meaningfully and step into leadership opportunities.
The support network of graduates, early-career professionals, mentors, and managers fosters growth, development, and wellbeing. For anyone considering it, Leonardo offers a fantastic environment to build skills, explore different paths, and make a tangible impact early in your career.
Advice for Applicants:
Shoot your shot! Even if you don’t have a technical background, it can actually work in your favour. The scheme provides the chance to learn something new every day.
Three Words to Describe the Graduate Scheme:
- Career-accelerating
- High-responsibility
- Development-focused
Leonardo’s early careers programmes are shaping the next generation. With graduates already making their mark, the future looks bright and you can be a part of it with salaries starting at £34,000 for Graduates.
