My career path into DE&S
I joined DE&S in September 2019 after graduating from university with a degree in Criminology. DE&S was recommended to me as a great place to work, and I started my career here as a Business Manager. While I thoroughly enjoyed my time in business management, I quickly learned that I was eager to understand projects in more detail.
I joined a Scheduling development scheme and I was able to take the soft skills I’d learnt in business management and apply them to my new role and team. I received a lot of support and mentoring and was able to develop my skills and knowledge in scheduling from the ground up. I’ve now worked as a Planner and Scheduler for almost three years and still enjoy each day as if it’s my first day in the role!
The glue that holds a project together
To me, scheduling is the glue that holds a project together. It’s essentially a plan of the project lifespan created on a tool called P6, which enables us to monitor the ins and outs of a project from day one. We can see what needs doing, when it needs doing by, how long it will take and how much it will cost. As Planner and Schedulers, we engage with stakeholders each month for an update on the progress of activities, which will then feed into wider discussions to see if the plan is still achievable and any changes we might need to factor in.
“It’s great to work in a team where everyone is so involved and shares the same ambition and drive as you.”
– Laura, DE&S Planner and Scheduler
An engaging role supporting the armed forces
I’m currently working on a project within Maritime Combat Systems, where no two days are the same. It’s a fast-paced, busy environment where everyone is engaged and gets stuck in to achieve our goals. It’s great to work in a team where everyone is so involved and shares the same ambition and drive as you. I work with both our supplier and our military customers, which puts into perspective the importance of my job and the impact it makes in supporting the armed forces.
Career development and equal opportunities
The culture at DE&S is very modern and diverse. As a woman in defence, I’ve found that there are always equal opportunities for me to progress in my career and I’ve been provided with the tools to do that. The support I’ve had for my career development has been second to none. My managers and Functional Development Officer really want to see me excel and thrive in my career and they’ve provided me with the resources I need to help me expand my knowledge and support me with day-to-day work life. I’m also currently in line to undertake a Planning and Scheduling Practitioners course so I can take the next step in my career.
“As a woman in defence, I’ve found that there are always equal opportunities for me to progress in my career and I’ve been provided with the tools to do that.”
Recommending DE&S to others
I’d absolutely recommend DE&S to others – and I have! Those that have joined are also thriving in their careers here. I strongly believe that there are so many career opportunities on offer, and you can find a role to suit you and your career development. The reward and recognition you receive from your colleagues is really motivating, and the work-life balance is an added bonus! My work-life balance has improved dramatically since joining DE&S and I value hybrid working and the freedom to choose working hours that work for me.
Thinking of joining? Here’s Laura’s advice:
My advice would be to just go for it. If you have little experience in this field (as I did!) and feel nervous about that, I can assure you that you don’t need to worry. There’s a huge amount of support and resources available from the scheduling community to help you build upon your knowledge and skills. Everyone is willing to pitch in and help when you need it. No ask is too big, and no question is too small. Get stuck in and go for it!
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