My 4^th day of working for BAE System has just finished and I’m enjoying myself more and more.

 The project I’ve been given involves analysing the current customer database systems being used within the Asset Management section of the company, it’s my job to investigate, evaluated and recommend the issues concerning the systems. Having no previous experience in databases I spent my second day trying to grasp the complex world of ‘hierarchical models’, ‘relational models’  and ‘object- orientated programming’. I was also given a list of people who I should contact regarding their database processes; the list only consisted of senior VPs! I came up with the idea to distribute a questionnaire, I was a obviously a little nervous about approaching such senior managers but needn’t of been as the responses where quick and enthusiastic, it even result in one VP sitting down talking through his answers with me. I can’t emphasise enough how helpful and friendly everyone is! Just now, I’m in the middle of processing the responses and researching what this implies in terms of available database systems, it’s proving really interesting and I able to draw on a lot of marketing theories I’ve studied.

 Out with my core responsibilities I’ve been learning loads about aircraft and the aircraft industry, one of the guys I’m sitting next to was trained as a pilot and has been showing me technical compartments of the cockpit while another has been explaining the different models of the planes, what they mean and how they can be used. My favourite craft so far is the ABJ (Avro Business Jet)- who’d of thought such luxury can be achieved in a plane. The Wright Bothers would be so proud!

Last night I went on a mission to join a gym, I was given a few recommendations by my colleagues but warned that one looks a bit odd from the outside, I soon understood! Hatfield has a strong link to the history of aviation, aircraft was still being made here up in to the 90’s; obvious evidence of this has pretty much gone unless you take a visit to David Lloyd Gym, Health & Fitness Club where the entire complex (which includes gym, swimming pool, spa, hairdressers, crèche, tennis courts, café…) is build in an old airplane hanger. I learnt that the hanger is a listed building which explains why there is still a watch tower and full length foldable wall however it does look so bizarre from the outside; walking passed it, you’d never guess it housed gym equipment not planes!