Andrew James Kelly
Course: BA History
Graduated: 2004/05 Academic Year
Destination approx. 6 months after graduation: Commercial Officer, Rolls Royce
Background
I studied History, Biology and Business Studies at A’ Level, and then chose to go straight into higher education to further my knowledge in History, and to hopefully improve my future job prospects.It was the location of Aberystwyth that first attracted me to the University. I came across the place whilst researching which higher education institutions offered study schemes in History related areas, and although it was quite a distance from home, the way the University campus sat on the hill overlooking the town and the sea, and the way it was surrounded by beautiful countryside was very striking; and the more I found out about the University and the town itself, such as the great student social life that existed at Aber, the more convinced I became that it was the place for me.
Where are you now?
Now that I have graduated from Aberystwyth, I have been accepted onto a graduate scheme with Rolls Royce, working as a Commercial Officer. The job is actually complicated and quite difficult to explain; I essentially forecast the amount of engines going into work shops for repairs, and the amount going into stores. I need to be very precise with my workings out, as there can be a lot riding on my accuracy. Obviously I have received detailed training on the job over the first few months, and continue to learn and progress as time goes on.How did you get there?
Once I’d finally started to think about employment, I realised that my best chance of getting into an exciting graduate position, where I would have plenty of opportunity to develop myself further, and where there’d be a lot of scope for promotion, would be to apply for some sort of graduate training scheme within a big organisation.I came across a number of schemes during my research that appealed to me, and after sending off a few applications, I received an invite to interview with Rolls Royce, one of the companies that I’d applied to. The degree entry requirements for the graduate schemes with Rolls Royce, were not subject specific; any 2:1 outcome or higher in a first degree qualification was sufficient for consideration for entry onto one of the schemes. The interview took place during an assessment day that I attended, and I found out during the day that there where around 500 other graduates competing for one of the 5 positions available.
Even though my resulting degree from Aberystwyth University played an essential part in my being employed by Rolls Royce, I also think that characteristics and skills that I’d developed over the years as a result of my many social activities, which I believe came across well at interview, had their part to play too. For example, as a result of these social activities, I’d developed excellent communication and team playing skills, and had become a more confident and courteous individual, respectful of others opinions, and who, having had to stand on my own two feet being so far away from home at Aberystwyth, was now able to be totally independent and self-sufficient and responsible for my own actions.