Catie completed a STEM Returners with Babcock International after a career in the Armed Forces. Read below Catie’s experience of the STEM Returners programme and the support provided.
How did you find out about the STEM Returners Programme?
I had updated my CV as I was looking for a job after leaving the army. I read the job description and it looked like something that would have been ideal for me. I went through the process, spoke to Natalie and Karen who helped me through the entire thing.
Why did you apply for the Babcock Returners Programme?
I had worked fairly closely with Babcock during my time in the army. Babcock had actually done my apprenticeship, they were the ones that teach you when you went on additional equipment courses, they’re the ones that fix the equipment when the army can’t due to the time pressures. There was a certain degree of familiarity, even though the area I’ve gone into with the company isn’t what I had done before.
How has the Programme helped you restart your career?
It’s put me in a position where I’ve finally been able to reset from the being in the army and get me settled back in to civilian life. It’s been a lot simpler than I would have ever imaged, especially for a woman being in STEM there can be a lot of push back. I haven’t experienced that once since I started at Babcock. My team has been nothing but 100% supportive and completely accepting of me, my quirks and my circumstances. The wider team that my team resides have also been incredible. I haven’t met anyone that works here that has been anything less than encouraging.
How do you feel about the support offered by Babcock as a company?
I would recommend Babcock to anyone. I feel very fortunate to have had this job and worked in the team I’m in. After experiences I’ve had in the past where I thought I would never have STEM job ever again, I couldn’t have asked for a better team to be a part of.
What has happened since joining the Programme?
After I got my job, I was on a 12 week placement. During that placement I had to complete a certain amount of tasks. The first main task was to put together a presentation about the importance of the job and why we do it. Originally there was only meant to be 4 people in the room. My lead engineer, group manager, the head of engineering, and Assistant professional officer. So a lot of big people that knew what they were talking about. So the pressure was on. On the day there was 8. My entire team, including 2 graduates had come in to support. The presentation went down well but I had the formal interview about 5 weeks later. Spoiler alert, I passed the interview.
What advice would you give to someone trying to return from a career break?
Do it. You’ve got this far to the point where you’re THINKING about returning. What have you got to lose? The ladies I spoke to during the whole process were 100% in my corner, it felt like they were almost cheering me on. Just shy of a few pompoms. Natalie rang me the morning of my interview, gave me a pep talk and wished me good luck. She was also one of the first people to find out I’d passed.