Why did you decide to do a work placement?
I decided to do a work placement because I wanted to get experience working in industry, challenge myself, and develop into a more well-rounded engineer outside the standard academic setting.
How did you arrange your placement and what support did you receive with this?
I arranged my industrial placement myself, though I received a lot of support from the careers service team and the engineering placements team at university. They:
- shared relevant opportunities aligned with my degree and interests regularly
- reviewed my CV and cover letters
- helped arrange online interviews.
Their support and guidance played a significant role in building my confidence and maintaining momentum throughout the process.
Tell us a bit about your work placement and what it involved.
I completed an 12 and a half-month placement at Airbus' Fuel Management Department in Filton, Bristol, UK, which is responsible for the design, development, and engineering of fuel systems across all Airbus commercial fleets, including future projects such as the world's first zero-emission commercial aircraft focusing on hydrogen propulsion (ZEROe).
I worked full-time within the Fuel and Inerting Systems team where I was assessed through regular performance reviews with my line manager and presented my work to technical experts for key milestones.
What projects did you work on?
I worked on projects which focused on developing fuel systems for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and the hydrogen-powered aircraft ZEROe. My role centred on advancing the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of these novel sustainable fuel systems, which involved analysing fuel properties, developing safe liquid hydrogen operating procedures and creating safety recovery processes.
What was the highlight of your work placement?
The highlight of my placement came when I stepped out of my comfort zone to present my work on liquid hydrogen fuel safety procedures to a panel of industry experts on behalf of my team and Airbus. After ensuring my work aligned with industry standards, I presented, justified, and defended my technical decisions, which required thorough preparation and clear communication under pressure.
The feedback I received was invaluable in helping my team refine the solution further. Looking back, this was one of the most rewarding and formative experiences of my placement and helped me build confidence in presenting and standing by technical decisions.
What were the challenges?
One of the biggest challenges was transitioning from an academic setting to a complex industrial environment. While my background gave me strong analytical and critical thinking skills, I did not always have the specific technical knowledge required for complex, safety-critical projects.
I approached this gap by breaking down tasks into what I knew, did not know and what I needed to learn, learning by doing, and actively seeking feedback. This way of working strengthened my ability to adapt, collaborate across technical boundaries, solve complex problems methodically and take ownership of outcomes for any challenge I faced.
How did you handle the adjustment from being a student to a working professional?
The adjustment required shifting both my mindset and working style. Unlike university, where projects have clear deadlines and individual ownership, industry work is more collaborative and less defined. Because a lot of my work was based in early phases of design, things changed constantly, priorities shifted, project scopes evolved, and new challenges emerged regularly. So, I had to get comfortable asking questions, clarifying assumptions, working within cross-functional teams, and balancing immediate tasks with long-term project goals.
Because I was working on multiple projects simultaneously, I also learned to prioritise effectively and communicate consistently with stakeholders to manage expectations and ensure alignment. Building professional relationships and understanding how the work fits into the broader business were also important adjustments that helped me transition effectively.
What new skills or knowledge did you gain during your work placement?
Technically, I developed the following skills:
- chemical and process analysis
- complex problem solving
- fluid-mechanical systems and control design
- systems engineering
- technical documentation and specifications.
In terms of soft skills, I improved my:
- adaptability
- analytical decision-making and critical thinking
- presentation skills
- resource and project management
- technical and stakeholder communication.
Did the work placement influence your future career plans?
Yes. My placement gave me a clearer understanding of the kind of work that excites me, specifically:
- design engineering
- innovation
- research and development.
It also provided deeper insight into the hydrogen market and cryogenic fuels, while showcasing how successful businesses develop products under strict regulatory frameworks. This experience reinforced the critical role of safety in engineering and how it shapes design, manufacturing, and operations to create smarter and safer systems.
I am now seeking opportunities to apply my expertise in roles focused on:
- design
- process engineering
- research and development
- safety.
Overall, I have become a more adaptable, well-rounded, and commercially aware engineer with a deeper understanding of sustainable fuels.
What do you wish you'd known before embarking on a work placement?
I wish I had realised earlier that a placement is about long-term growth and not becoming an expert quickly. No one expects you to know everything from day one, especially in a complex industrial environment. What matters most is how well you learn and grow by asking questions early, seeking feedback regularly, thinking critically, and being proactive.
Understanding this from the start would have helped me focus on steady progress rather than short-term performance, and approach challenges with more assurance and confidence.
What advice would you give to others preparing for a work placement?
During the application process, focus on demonstrating your curiosity, researching the company, industry and role and asking thoughtful questions in interviews. Before you start, think about what the company's biggest challenges are and how you might help address them.
My advice to upcoming placement students would be to stay proactive, do not hesitate to ask questions (even the ones you think are stupid), seek out responsibility, and take ownership of your work. Being curious will serve you well as it will help you understand why decisions are made, contribute more meaningfully and learn faster.
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