Meet Emma, a Project Management Apprentice in our Air Sector, and a very talented football player. So much so, that before joining BAE Systems, she had been the goalkeeper for England's Women's youth football team.
So how did Emma find herself applying for an apprenticeship and what's she doing football-wise now? We asked her that, and more.
Who inspired you to start playing football?
I was brought up with it. I was inspired by my older brother and Dad – they were big on football and generally it’s a big football household. You either learnt to play football, or you got hit with a football!
When did you start playing?
I started quite late, around ten years old. After a few months playing with my local team, my Dad saw that Blackburn Rovers were advertising for open trials for their girls team, and after a successful trial, I signed with Blackburn Rovers. This felt like such an accomplishment after just playing football for half a season.
I played there for five years before signing for Manchester City where I stayed for a further three years, and went on to win the FA Youth Cup. That’s when I first got the chance to play for England where I was capped ten times, playing teams such as Spain, Germany, and Denmark.
Why did you move on from full time football?
When I turned 18, I had to ask myself what I wanted to do long term: was that football or was it working, but with football on the side? I decided on the latter and re-signed with a local team but after a year, I decided semi-professional football wasn’t fitting in well alongside work and decided to drop a couple of leagues to have a better work-life balance.
I now play for Chorley Women F.C. – which gives me the best of both worlds. I play three times a week and have a routine that fits in perfectly alongside work – it’s great after a working all day to go off and do something completely different.
What do you do at BAE Systems?
I am currently in my third year of the Project Management apprenticeship scheme. I am earning a degree alongside my apprenticeship, having the opportunity to move around the business and trial different placements each year, which is a great way to broaden my experience. I’m really enjoying it, and it’s not something I ever thought I’d do.
What skills did you develop playing football that are helping in the world of work?
Leadership, communication, collaboration and teamwork are all transferrable skills that I developed on the pitch that I can channel into my work. I’ve also travelled all over the world playing for England without my family – and often for several weeks at a time when playing in the European Championships - gaining independence and confidence through that experience.
There’s also analysis work and problem-solving skills that you acquire off the pitch that you wouldn’t necessarily expect as skills you’d acquire through football. These skills again are transferable to my day-to-day role in project management.
Why BAE Systems?
BAE Systems did a lot of work with my school and my brother did work experience here, so that’s how I became familiar with the business.
The apprenticeship scheme gives you a great level of security, as I knew that after I finished my apprenticeship, I’d likely land a permanent role. The guarantee for the long-term, my ability to get a degree simultaneously, and play football on the side, is what really convinced me to apply for the scheme. It was a no-brainer!
Do you have any advice for young girls looking to pursue an apprenticeship, or sporting success?
Really get to know the organisation. A lot of people may shy away from BAE Systems think it’s only engineering and manufacturing but in reality, there’s so many different opportunities and apprenticeships - there really is a career path for everyone. Sports will always compliment your applications too. The skills you learn in group sports are fundamental, and you can really lean on these in interviews and in the work environment – they go hand in glove.