How I got in: William's engineering degree apprenticeship

William is currently working at Rolls-Royce where he is completing an engineering degree apprenticeship. Here’s how he discovered his passion for engineering and pursued a career with the luxury car manufacturer.

What was your journey like to Rolls-Royce?
In sixth form, I studied mathematics, chemistry, and physics A levels. What really kick-started my journey into engineering was the work experience and eight month project that I had completed with Rolls-Royce during my studies. This experience helped me realise that I was keen to start my career as an engineer rather than study further. So I was excited in my second year of A level to apply for a degree apprenticeship where I could work and study at the same time. I made applications for degree apprenticeship courses at Rolls-Royce, Toyota, and the Royal Navy. 

Did you face any challenges during the application process? If yes, how did you overcome them?
One of the challenges I faced during the application process was that I didn’t get much support from my sixth form. Instead, I had to seek external guidance to help me prepare for interviews and refine my CV. Furthermore, I had to learn how to create tailored personal statements for potential employers rather than a university course. 

During my work experience at Rolls-Royce, I connected with an engineer who kindly supported me through the challenges I faced. Through one-to-one sessions, they helped me get familiar with the different application stages like online assessments and an in-person interview. This was incredibly helpful as I knew what to expect from the process and felt prepared. Once I passed the online assessment stage, Rolls-Royce provided a lot of support on what the interview would entail and how best to prepare. 

Was there anything you wish you had known or checked before applying?
I wish I knew that grades aren’t as important as you might expect and that skills and experience are just as important, if not more so! I finished my A level studies with three C’s. However, my experience working on STEM projects, the skills I had gained from scouting, and my knowledge of the engineering sector made me a strong candidate. I think all of this made me more desirable to employers than students with top grades that had no experience in engineering or working with others. 
 

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