Chloe
How did you come to join Amentum?
I initially undertook some work experience with the company which I really enjoyed. This led to me applying for a Project Controls Apprenticeship.
What impressed you about the apprenticeship scheme?
During my apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to work in different project controls departments including cost engineering, planning, estimating and risk. This gave me a wide exposure to different areas and make a firm career choice to focus on cost engineering.
How have you progressed since completing your apprenticeship?
Since completing my apprenticeship several years ago, I have since progressed to the role of Senior Cost Engineer. The company has also supported me in undertaking a degree in Project Management which supports my longer-term career aspirations.
If you could give a future apprentice some advice, what would it be?
You are an advocate for your own career, so take every opportunity and grow your network where possible to expand your horizons for the future.
John
What is your role on the graduate programme?
Since starting the graduate programme, I have been on a placement in the Transformation Programme, working on building the structures that will help the company operate more smoothly as it grows.
What initially attracted you to Amentum?
I had never heard of Amentum until the opportunity was mentioned by a lecturer at the University of Birmingham, so I attended the interview not knowing much about the company at all, with the intention of finding out more about it. What attracted me to Amentum after the interview was how relaxed and colloquial the interview was. I felt it flowed like a proper conversation which felt very natural and allowed me to perform to the best of my abilities and show my qualities/talk about my skills and strengths. It definitely left me with the impression of a people-focused company which is something that I didn’t experience at other interviews.
What has impressed you so far with the Amentum Graduate Programme?
The key area that has impressed me is the amount of support and guidance/mentorship that I have received since joining. Everyone has been extremely helpful and willing to provide feedback, encouragement, and suggestions despite already having a lot of work on their hands. I also have enjoyed the amount of responsibility I have been given from the beginning. I often hear from friends about graduate schemes in other industries. They seem to be sent to do tasks with other graduates that, whilst being useful for their career development, don’t seem to be of any immediate use for the business. At Amentum I have had the opposite experience. I am working with very senior people from whom I am learning a huge amount, and every day I am reminded how important the work that I am doing is. It is very satisfying.
If you could give a future graduate some advice, what would it be?
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your degree is the only thing that qualifies you for a role. When I graduated, I expected the only roles to be available to me to be physics or engineering oriented. Until I joined Amentum, I didn’t know what Project Management was and had never even heard of Programme Management. I now understand that these and many other career opportunities are open to me. Whilst my background in nuclear physics is useful in keeping me motivated and excited about the work I do, the skills that I picked up in my degree are much more transferrable than I anticipated.
Kathryn
How did you come to join Amentum?
I studied Business and Management at university and applied to join the company’s UK Graduate Programme. I went on to join as a Graduate Project Manager in the Defence & Security part of the business.
What initially attracted you to Amentum?
I was attracted to the company because of the fantastic work and accolades I saw externally about the company’s employee networks, particularly the network that supports individuals with physical, mobility and cognitive disabilities, and those who care for others. I’m closely involved with the network and value the opportunity to help grow the understanding of this community.
What impressed you about the graduate programme and the company?
The graduate programme offers really comprehensive and structured training opportunities, which supports individuals’ career development and longer-term aspirations. I also love the company’s inclusive culture and everyone’s willingness to learn.
If you could give a future graduate some advice, what would it be?
If you’re looking around at graduate programmes, I would recommend applying to join companies whose values align with your own, where the culture is inclusive and welcoming to everyone.
Tom W
What is your role on the Graduate Programme?
In my current role I am helping to produce business cases and optioneering reports for a major client on different projects that will be critical to maintaining our schedule, in addition to saving money for the customer. On top of this, I am also in charge of dealing with and closing any non-conformances related to specific projects.
What initially attracted you to Amentum?
I’ve long been pursuing a route into a job that deals with naval craft, having been diagnosed with a medical condition a few years ago that cut my career with the Navy short. Amentum UK looked like a great place to gain solid industrial experience, in addition to a swathe of project management skills, whilst opening up future internal opportunities related to operations in decommissioning naval craft (especially submarines!).
What has impressed you so far with the Amentum Graduate Programme?
Every single person I met, especially those in senior positions, during my first few weeks was incredibly welcoming and accommodating, without exception. I haven’t noticed any kind of stigma either, which I had been preparing for, having been fresh out of a university course. My line manager, in particular, has always tried to go above and beyond for me.
If you could give a future graduate some advice, what would it be?
Never give up on your passions in STEM; work hard and they will pay you dividends. No one is entitled to success: you may see it as misfortune when life throws its unforeseen challenges at you, however, these experiences will serve only to give you greater incentive to make your every 24 hrs matter. When you look back on all the hard graft that you’ve put in, you’ll realise just how far you’ve come.
I’d wish you luck, but I’m sure you won’t need it!
Katie
How did you come to join Amentum?
I studied for an integrated Masters degree at Teeside University in Instrumentation and Control Engineering and subsequently applied to join the Graduate Programme.
What do you enjoy about working at Amentum?
In my role, I enjoy the variety of working alongside people based in my office in Stockton, but also with colleagues in different locations who work across multiple disciplines. I really enjoy attending regular project meetings with my team and the client where we discuss their requirements and update them on our progress. I also like the flexibility of being able to collaborate with others in the office, as well as being able to work from home when needed.
Can you tell us a bit about one of the projects you’ve worked on?
One of the projects I have worked on consisted of delivering the instrumentation and building management system design for a new production facility.
How would you describe your role in three words?
Challenging, educational and flexible.
If you could give a future graduate some advice about Amentum, what would it be?
I like that Amentum has an inclusive and diverse team, giving graduates the opportunity to work with a variety of different people, so I would definitely recommend that future graduates take a look at the career opportunities on offer.
Abubakar
What is your role on the graduate programme:
As a recent graduate engineer at Amentum, I am currently working in the business development sector. I have been contributing to exciting new initiatives at Amentum that will be implemented across the business, and I look forward to sharing these achievements soon. Having been involved in the implementation of social value initiatives with the business, I have utilised my strong sense of teamwork to ensure that the brainstormed ideas were collated into a matrix and prioritised into categories. This is currently an ongoing process which I expect will yield great results.
What initially attracted you to Amentum?
The path of progression, integrity of the company and the fact that it is looking to expand quickly.
What has impressed you so far with the Amentum Graduate Programme?
Everyone from line managers to the Senior Vice President are extremely helpful and I can reach anyone I need to speak to. Plenty of support provided.
If you could give a future graduate some advice, what would it be?
I recommend getting involved within the company, whether that is contributing to company initiatives or being active within the business, that would stand you in good stead to learn from those experiences.
Annabella
How did you come to join Amentum?
I chose to go down the apprenticeship route as I was confident it would help me learn valuable skills that would enable me to perform better in the working environment and pursue my chosen career. I applied for and was successful in being offered a Project Controls Apprenticeship with the company.
What do you enjoy about working at Amentum?
Ever since I joined, I’ve been made to feel so welcome and there’s support all around me. Initially, I was shy to speak up but everyone has made me feel very welcome, so I’m able to ask for help and get valuable advice from colleagues.
Quite quickly after joining, I was given the chance to look after two projects to make sure everything was updated every month. It was very interesting and not something I had done before, so it was good to learn some new skills and I’m continuing to learn new things every day.
If you could give a future apprentice some advice, what would it be?
My advice would be to consider apprenticeships in STEAM because there are so many highly skilled jobs available in a variety of sectors.
Samuel
What is your role on the Graduate Programme?
I’ve been working with the commercial team in project procurement – creating work packages and inviting firms to tender for the work, coupled with making sure that who we select is the best fit for the job.
What initially attracted you to Amentum?
A graduate scheme in the nuclear industry brings plenty of opportunities for growth and development, especially in a company that’s relatively new in the UK market and growing itself.
What has impressed you so far with the Amentum Graduate Programme?
I’m close to the Warrington office and value the opportunity to be in-person 3 days a week while still working from home the remaining 2 days.
I’ve been treated as a valuable member of the team and given the opportunity to become the first point of call for certain actions.
Having the opportunity to participate in training courses that focus on a wide range of topics, but also tailored to the industry, help me ensure I’m familiar with the nuclear environment.
If you could give a future graduate some advice, what would it be?
Don’t stress! The more questions you ask the better (even the ones you think are obvious) because you’ll only make your own life easier by knowing exactly what, where, how, and why.
