[JTHOME]

Hi Paul, I'm a recent physics graduate with an offer to study an MSc at Birmingham. After my masters I'm hoping to go into an engineering related job with the navy. I know I lack engineering experience that might help in the application. Can you recommend a way to gain practical, useful experience that the Navy is looking for?
Any advice is appreciated.
Regards
Jake

[Royal Navy]

Jake,

We don't expect our potential officer candidates to have real engineering work experience, but we do look to see if you have a real interest in engineering and will ask you for sure why you are looking for a career in engineering with the royal navy. As an example if someone had done a hands on project, such as renovating and re-building an old car or bike whether through Uni or at home that would be a demonstration of your passion for engineering.

I would recommend that you seek opportunities to be involved in any engineering society or group that run at your university or elsewhere. You could also volunteer for any school science events that often run at uni such as smallpiece trust or others.

During the application process we will not look at your engineering potential in too much depth but we look at you in terms of leadership, management and communication potential so the more extra curricular activities you do the more examples of your skills in those areas you will have. Don't worry because it is the potential we are looking for not the finished article.

Hope that helps

Paul