Dan's role profile

My current role:
To Build, Test and fault find down to component level on Eurofighter aircraft helmets.

Job title: Hardware Engineer
Employer name: BAE Systems
Employer website: www.baesystems.com
Location: South East England
Industry / business sector: Aerospace & Defence
Ethnicity: White
Highest qualification: A/AS,AVCE,N/SVQ3,BTEC Nat,City&G 3, Advanced Apprenticeship
Registration level: Technician – e.g. Eng Tech
Time in employment: 1-2 years

What attracted you to doing this?
As it is interesting work and I could further my career to be successful and keep an active social life.

What does your typical day involve?
Flexable working day can get to work any time between 7-9am and work at my desk for a little while before going to a lab and either building electorinc circuits or testing pilots helmets.

Tell us more about your environment in terms of work-life balance
Very flexable hours with chances to do paid overtime if wanted, get chances to go all round the country for team building activities ie. blackpool and derbyshire camping etc. Also the people you work with are great where despite you working they get you through the day with a smile on your face.

What are you most proud of in what you do?
Just by working for a respectable company and having so many chances to build a great career up through taking part in so many events. Also the company offers chances to further you r life in different ways such as paying for you to take part in the Duke of Edinburghs award and mentoring younger pupils in schools in the surrounding area.

Do your experiences of the current role you are in match your expectations?
The job definately satisfies any young persons expectations and beyond. The skills learnt within the company are priceless, giving you a chance for a great future.

How did you get to where you are today?
With only needing 5 GCSE's A-C grades in any subjects and being between the ages of 15-20.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of following your path?
Be sure of what path you want to follow either university or an apprenticeship and then just apply where ever your interests lie. Try not to hesitate for too long as the opportunities will just come and go. Everyone (no matter how clever you are) are capable of great things you just need to trust in yourself and go for it.

What would you like to achieve in your career?
To become a project manager within my company and move site from rochester (where I am now) to the USA where my company are mainly based.

Out of 'office hours', what lights your fire?
I enjoy going out with friends and taking part in extereme sports (Skating and BMXing) followed with kick boxing.

What did you dream of doing when you were growing up?
Living in the USA (The American dream) with some time to do my own things not just working.

Have there been any embarrassing moments?
Just the people at work playing jokes on me whilst I was trying to learn the ropes

Name 3 things you still want to do
Live in America, own a dodge viper and advance in my kickboxing to a sufficient fighters level to take part in more competions.

Which TV or movie character most resembles you?
not a clue (clark kent lol)

If you could be reincarnated as one thing what would it be, and why?
A bald eagle, to be able to see everything and go anywhere where time isnt a bothering factor.

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