Megan
Leeds - Engineering Intern
If you get the opportunity to do something like this, you should definitely go for it. It’s a really worthwhile and enjoyable experience and you will learn so much!
Harry
Sheffield - Operations Intern
Because you’re encouraged to continue onto the full graduate scheme, it feels like a proper career opportunity – and not just a 3 month placement!
Megan
Ever since school, I’ve wanted to be an engineer, but I couldn’t decide whether to do an apprenticeship or go to uni. What I did know is that I wanted to have an internship in the transport industry, and FirstGroup’s scheme really caught my eye so I made the most of the opportunity to apply.
I ended up studying mechanical engineering at uni, but the subject is so broad I could have started my career in many engineering fields and I had no idea which my favourite was! The course has given me a very broad view of the industry and I have learnt so much, including engineering management and how to improve efficiencies throughout various processes. This has helped me a lot at FirstGroup as I work mainly with the engineering managers – helping the depot to run more efficiently and improving the processes which are already in place forms a lot of what I do.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I would be fixing buses and getting really dirty every day, but I don’t do too much of that! Instead I work on projects within the engineering function such as analysing the performance of the depots, improving the warranty system, and reducing the number of parts we use from stores - all vital engineering management experience.
One of the nicest things about working at FirstGroup has been the people, and I’ve been made to feel so welcome in just a short space of time. The variety of the work is great and I’m also building valuable in-depth knowledge of the transport industry. My highlight so far has been helping Bramley depot to achieve the bronze Wrench award – it was very full on!
Since starting the scheme, I’ve been able to develop good communication, organisation and leadership skills, together with the flexibility to work on lots of different tasks, and I think they’ll all really help me when I eventually start my career in the transport industry.
If you get the opportunity to do something like this, you should definitely go for it. It’s a really worthwhile and enjoyable experience and you will learn so much!
Harry
Before I started uni, I had my heart set on studying journalism, but my plans were never more developed than that. I was always interested in transport and logistics though, and I was open to other opportunities – so the FirstGroup scheme really stood out for me.
In the end, I did choose journalism, and it has actually helped me a lot at work. Written and verbal communication is a big part of my course and these skills are vital when working on the day to day operations of a bus depot. My course has also taught me organisation and the importance of analytics which have really helped me meet my targets around improving operational performance.
Internship opportunities like FirstGroup’s are quite rare, so this one really caught my eye because it was the perfect opportunity to gain industry experience during the summer holidays. What made it even more appealing is that you’re thrust into a project where you can genuinely make a difference.
And because you’re encouraged to continue onto the full graduate scheme, it feels like a proper career opportunity – and not just a 3 month placement!
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