Ellie Beckett

"Hi! My name is Ellie and I’m a 21-year-old Engineering Degree Apprentice at GE Aviation Systems in Cheltenham. My test results for the 'My Skills My Life' test were that I am a coordinator, manager and influencer. I think these personalities fit well with my current job role as I have to be highly motivated and organized to achieve within the apprenticeship. There are often lots of important deadlines due at the same time and so my coordinator and influencer types assist with that. As well as this most of the work in the apprenticeship is team focused so having the manager trait really helps with that."

"As an apprentice I study for my BENG degree in Electronic and Computer Engineering 1 day a week through UWE and the rest of my time I’m at work. I’m able to move around the business trying out different types of engineering in different projects, so that when I finish my apprenticeship, I can go into a job I am guaranteed to enjoy. Among these roles I have worked in many different roles on the Boeing 777X project, including roles in hardware, software and systems. I am currently working in a section of the company responsible for designing test equipment for products we produce. Finally, as an apprentice I’m able to volunteer and support different charities and STEM schemes. These have included #STEMtogether, GirlsGetSet, Imagineering and more "

"Before I came to GE I did my GCSEs and A-Levels at Stroud High School in Stroud. I worked and volunteered at a cattery on the weekends as well as volunteering at Phoenix Festival in Cirencester, as a sports coach during holidays, at an after-school club at my old primary school and as an NCS leader. In my spare time I worked towards my DofE awards, ran a particle physics club in tangent to my A-Levels and was lucky enough to attend a flying scholarship through Cotswold airport in 2016. On top of this I did 2 weeks of work experience, one at Target Aviation in Stroud and another at Veolia. These experiences allowed me to see two very different types of engineering and helped to solidify my interest in this career. I think by volunteering and working in lots of different roles it has helped me learn how to work with lots of different people and how to manage my time well now that I am at GE. "

"Now that I have a 9-5 job and university, I have less free time to contribute towards voluntary projects, however I am still able to work and volunteer with the other members of the Phoenix Festival as a backstage band liaison/support during the August bank holidays. I also attend festivals regularly and was lucky enough to go to 10 over the course of 2019 including Download and Bloodstock. I spend most of my free time drawing, working towards my 2nd dan grade in kickboxing, listening to music and creating new DnD characters for campaigns I play with my friends."

"My typical day currently would be to begin work at 9 and finish at roughly 5:30. I try to spend each day working towards tasks for my project as well as the other voluntary STEM commitments I have signed up to. This helps me to break up the day into manageable tasks and to keep me focused. I often have meetings with my colleagues where we discuss team progress, how to improve and what our priorities are. This really helps me when I have a lot to manage as I can rank the priorities to decide what task I need to work on next. My role currently is to help my team reach the next project payment milestone by meeting certain deliverables the customer has set us. My role is taking one of these deliverables and writing out and explaining potential solutions to them. I have to ensure that I can communicate technical information to a customer, despite them not having the same knowledge or understanding of the details."

"Before attending GE my qualifications were:A-Levels: Maths, Physics, Computer ScienceEPQ: (A research topic equivalent to an AS, I chose the topic ‘Mission to Mars, feasible or fiction’ where I discussed how we could colonize mars by 2030.)Industrial Cadet Bronze and GoldAs-Level: ChemistryGCSEs: Maths, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Art, DT, ICT, FrenchKickboxing: Black BeltDofE: Silver, BronzeSince GE:I am a certified Engineering Technician through the IETILM Leadership and Management Level 4DofE GoldPerforming Engineering Operations Level 2 NVQ.I have currently completed 3/5 years of the Electronic and Computer Engineering Degree.To do this scheme you will need Cs at GCSE in Maths, English Literature, English Language and in the sciencesAt A-Level you will need Maths and another STEM subject. However, if you want to set yourself apart having extra qualifications or awards such as an industrial cadet, DofE or additional STEM A-Levels will help to set you apart during application reviews and in interviews."