Work Your Way Up

Internships and Work Placements

Internships take many forms, from summer placements to one-year ‘sandwich’ placements, usually aimed at undergraduate university students who have completed two years of their degree (sometimes after year three if on an MEng programme). They usually follow the same application patters as graduate employment schemes, with online application forms which open in the previous autumn and close by December. Check out our information and advice on online applications. 

However, some companies, particularly smaller firms (SMEs), may be more flexible, with less restrictions on who can apply and later application date, requesting CV’s and covering letters. They will often advertise opportunities through their local college or university so enrol with the careers service to avoid missing any vacancies. You can also try making ‘speculative’ applications, applying to companies who may not be advertising placements but might be convinced.

More information about writing a good CV can be found here and writing compelling covering letters here.

Heritage and Restoration Projects

Many people are passionate about aviation history. Across the UK are many aviation heritage museums – Imperial War Museum, Duxford; RAF Museums Hendon and Cosford; Yorkshire Air Museum,
Elvington; Fleet Air Arm Museum, Yeovilton; FAST Museum Farnborough; Jet Age Museum, Cheltenham
and the recently opened Bristol Aero Collection, to name a few. Museums sometimes need volunteers to get
involved in aircraft restoration prospects offering a great way to develop soft skills such as teamwork, protect
management, hand skills and an insight into engineering design. Again, other volunteers may be working in
aerospace by day, and the work can be very enjoyable and a real talking point on your CV.