From the Royal Navy to Dogger Bank

For the last 14 years I have served in the Royal Navy as a weapons engineer. I left home at just 16 years old and made the transition into military life. I always knew I wanted to pursue a career which gave me excitement and opportunities which were out of the ordinary.

As well as travelling the world and earning a living, I also gained an education in electrical engineering through the royal navy apprentice scheme. I soon realised that I was one of very few females within my role, but it was never something that concerned me. I was fortunate enough to always have a good team around me. There was always an element of me proving my position within my workplace, especially when I got promoted at such a young age. If I could tell my 18 year old self now not to worry about that I would! No matter who you are, if you work hard, you always have value and bring something to the table.

Fast forward 14 years, I knew I was in a position where I had gained ample life and work experience to transfer my skills into civilian life. The renewable industry, especially the dogger bank project was on my radar, even way before I submitted my years notice. I wanted to leave the military and continue to be in an exciting and fulfilling role. My advice to people leaving the service is ensure you have a clear goal as to what you want to do. I had tunnel vision on landing a role within the renewable industry, I didn’t want to do anything else. That persistence and drive landed me a role as an Offshore commissioning engineer on the dogger bank project with SSE.

Since joining SSE, I already feel that I have learnt so much in such a short space of time. I am completely new to this industry however I can already see how my skills I have accumulated in my military career transfer into this job role and lifestyle. I am looking forward to see where my role with SSE takes me within the renewable industry and the progression I make along the way.