In the last case study of 2013 from The 5% Club, meet Rebecca Thomas, a maritime graduate from QinetiQ.

Name: Rebecca Thomas

Position: Maritime Graduate

Studied: BEng Mechanical Engineering, Southampton University

I am currently part of the new Maritime Graduate Scheme at QinetiQ. The scheme lasts for approximately 18 months and will consist of 6, 3 month long modules. Each module will take place in a different area of the maritime division and allow me to gain a real appreciation for the variety of tasks undertaken in the business.

I have had the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects and have helped carry out model tests in the QinetiQ Ocean Basin in Haslar. The work has been really varied and enjoyable and I feel like I have learnt a lot in the short time I have been here. In January I will move onto a placement at Winfrith, Dorset. I’m looking forward to getting out onto the ranges and seeing how it all works!

In terms of career aspirations my main focus at the moment is professional development and I aim to achieve chartered status within the next 5 years. In the longer term I would like to become proficient at project management and hopefully become responsible for some of the exciting, big projects that QinetiQ works on.