I am Adam, formerly of the Light Dragoons, stationed at Catterick. I spent just under 6 years in the army having joined straight from school. I am going to write a blog post roughly every 3 to 4 weeks, to help inform former forces people joining Siemens, share some of my experiences (good and bad), and maybe even provide some insights.
Leaving the army was a daunting process, to go from a highly social environment with great camaraderie, into the unknown was daunting. It’s the one thing that everyone talks about when leaving, is how they miss the ‘lads’ (& lasses). Working for Siemens you find that camaraderie and social inclusion is ever-present. The inclusive culture of Siemens matches the Army’s. Many of the values and standards of the Army are wanted by Siemens and can be seen in its culture. At Siemens, we are accountable for our actions, we care for one another, we have integrity, we are one team and work towards the same goal, we are innovative and agile in coming up with new solutions to today’s problems and issues, but it is different, but different in a good way.
When looking for a new job I wanted stability, a career path, opportunity to learn new skills and something that would challenge me (not unlike the Army when I think about it). Having had Siemens recommended by former soldiers who now work for Siemens, I started to look into the company. Having found the culture to be similar to what I had in the Army; I knew it would be the place for myself or any former service person to fit into.
Siemens has a wide variety jobs and opportunities in many parts of its organisation. From Mobility to Power, Healthcare to Financial Services. No matter what part of Siemens you work for, the culture is the same. Therefore, no matter what branch of the military you come from you will find a path for you at Siemens. Siemens is looking for people who are motivated and resilient, quick learners, those who are able to make connections with people. Many skills and traits that would have been picked up during time in the military.
I chose to work for Siemens Mobility with a career in Rolling Stock. You don’t need to be an engineer to have an opportunity in rolling stock. Siemens is looking for a diverse range of talented people from technicians and engineers to project managers and commercial managers -with so much more.
Coming from a background with no engineering doesn’t matter. There are programmes in place to give you the knowledge and skills that Siemens requires, from trainee programmes to internships and apprenticeships.
The great thing about apprenticeships is that you learn a valuable trade and move straight into a career at the end. You have to show your willingness to learn, be interested in engineering and motivated. Apprenticeships provide stability and progression to launch you into your future career. You will be supported the whole way, with support from college and your managers. It is a sociable environment and gives you the chance to meet other apprentices outside of your course.
In my next blog I will describe my journey from applying to Siemens, to college and beyond, I hope that you find it useful.
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