What were the biggest surprises in Airbus’ trainee programme? Elizabeth Crockford-Härkönen, Waltteri Paulaharju and Vi Do share their thoughts with us.
This article has been written in commercial cooperation with Airbus.
Check out all trainee positions and apply »
What do police, firefighters and other rescue personnel all around the world have in common? They all use Airbus’ critical communication products.
Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? If you want to help these real-life heroes, your time has come. Airbus is looking for trainees to work in their offices in Helsinki and Jyväskylä in 2024.
We met up with Elizabeth Crockford-Härkönen, Waltteri Paulaharju and Vi Do and asked them what they found most surprising about Airbus’ trainee programme.
Their answers may surprise you:
1. You will feel included
”The organisational structure at Airbus is flat. You are treated as a part of the team and not as an outsider or an additional trainee. That really surprised me.
You are trusted to take on responsibility, and other employees listen to you. For example, everything I have to say about my project and topic is listened to and taken into consideration.
If I tell our team leader that ‘this is how this works’, the team leader listens to me and says ‘tell me more’. That feels great and gives me pride to know that I’ve left my mark, even if it’s a small one,” says Crockford-Härkönen, who started as a Test Automation Trainee in 2021.
2. You will have fun
”To be honest, I was surprised that we not only get to work and gain real-life work experience but also get to have fun.
Airbus organises many activities, events and after-work gatherings for the trainees. For example, when I was a trainee in 2019, we went together with other trainees to a beer festival in Helsinki, which was a really nice experience.
We also have one special tradition for the trainees where you need to use your muscles and be adventurous,” reveals Do, a Project Delivery Specialist.
3. You will get to work on exciting projects
”To be honest, this job has been so much more than I thought it would be.
Everything mentioned in the job ad was true, but I’ve also got to work with many other things. I’ve had the chance to be part of exciting projects.
For example, I have been working on a new Project Management System. Two of my colleagues and I are helping Project and Line Managers get along with the system every Friday morning.
I am also writing my Master’s thesis for Airbus. It is convenient and interesting that I can write my thesis and work at the same time,” says Paulaharju, who joined Airbus in 2021 as a Project Management Trainee.
4. There is much to learn
”Besides having supportive colleagues, you will also get useful materials that will help you.
When I started, I didn’t know anything about TETRA radios, radio gateways or servers, but my team leader gave me a lot of material with which to familiarise myself.
I still don’t know everything, but I learn as I go and learn what I need to know.
My advice to the future trainees is: don’t panic, you will be fine,” assures Crockford-Härkönen.
5. You can be yourself
”I thought Airbus would be a company full of strict rules and serious people because we offer critical communication products. Well, I was wrong!
The working environment is really relaxed, you can be yourself and express your opinions and ideas to your colleagues and boss.
Another thing that surprised me was how international we are. You will get to work with people from all over the world,” tells Do.
6. It’s not a scary job
”This job may sound scary because we have a lot of responsibility, but it’s not.
If you want to get the best possible experience out of this trainee programme, I encourage you to be active, ask questions and talk with people.
Remember that you don’t need to be superhuman. All you need to have is enough motivation and passion for the work,” Paulaharju emphasises.
This is why trainees and a former trainee recommend the Airbus trainee programme
”You will be taken care of, you will get your own buddy, and you’ll have all the opportunities you need to expand your skill set. You will also find out what it is like to work in an international company.”
Elizabeth Crockford-Härkönen, Test Automation Trainee
”This trainee programme is not one of those where someone holds your hand for five months, but you are equal to the other employees from day one. This is a great place to start your career because Airbus works with interesting projects and technologies. Also, our HR is amazing.”
Waltteri Paulaharju, Project Management Trainee
”This programme is very practical and offers you a great opportunity to get real-life working experience. You can also really expand your network. And last but not least, you might get the possibility to continue working at Airbus after the summer. That’s what I did, and now I’m a full-time employee.”
Vi Do, Project Delivery Specialist
Ready to start your career? Check out all trainee positions and apply »
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