Today I sit here writing this as a Senior Delivery Manager at Methods Analytics. My role involves looking after multiple teams and providing support to clients such as the Ministry of Defence. Currently my teams utilise a range of technology solutions to extract, transform, and load data from multiple sources to provide senior management the data visualisations and dashboards they need. This includes managing the deliverables, the finances, and of course the morale of the team. Simplified – I determine the objective, identify the skills required and build the team to achieve our goal, to deliver against our promises – does that sound familiar?
My career has meandered through a number of manifestations on my journey here, all built on the foundations created by my time in the Royal Air Force.
Upon joining the Armed Forces, the first thing I learnt was that you are part of the solution, that teams need to work together as you are part of something much larger. Change is inevitable and constant, a point that is well illustrated by my training in electronics – observing as I did the changes in technology to monitor aircraft movements, from valves to chipsets – and something that has stayed with me, and I have brought into my current work. Learning this lesson has been key.
The foundations and the skills I developed, including the ability to build and motivate teams towards a common cause, are all transferable to a post-military life, and are always in demand. Problem solving, self-starting and willingness to learn and adapt, works in any environment.
This was my life for 13 years, during which time I served across the UK and on overseas tours. My training started in Weston-Super-Mare (RAF Locking), followed by postings in Doncaster (RAF Finningley), Butcher Radar – Airport Camp – Belize, Newquay (RAF St Mawgan), Hong Kong (RAF Sek Kong), Lincoln (RAF Waddington), and back to Weston Super Mare.
Since the RAF and prior to Methods Analytics, I worked in a number of roles where I was able to utilise the skills from my RAF days, adapting them for new challenges. This is all due to the foundations put in place in my formative years in the RAF.
If you would like to know more about a career in digital post Armed Forces, I am happy to help. You can get in touch with me on LinkedIn. We also have further content on our website regarding the Armed Forces Covenant pledge we have undertaken.
