A Day in the Life - Science - Operational Analysis (OA)

Sonya Card Close
University of Surrey
Science Industrial Placement Scheme, Operational Analysis 2010-2011
In my time so far at NATS, I've done a lot of work on Infringements - this is the unauthorised entry of an aircraft into restricted or controlled airspace. The work includes making some information slides about various infringements which occurred in the past year. I've also done some analysis using a tool called Arcview, which plots radar data as points on a map, so you can see where the infringements occurred. Read more

Through the various projects I've done, I've had the opportunity to learn a lot in the way of computing skills, such as Access and Excel, and I'm currently starting some work which will involve Python programming.

Operational Analysis (OA) is also very good for the social side of work. There are regular outings on weekends and everyone brings in cakes for birthdays or when returning from holidays. I go to the gym most lunchtimes with some of the other OA placement students and, on a Friday, we join the engineering placement students and graduates for a pub lunch.

I think my favourite thing about working at NATS in Operational Analysis is the responsibility you are given. The work that you do is actually important for the company and you are given real deadlines. I hope that when I go back into final year at university, I can take with me the organisational and time management skills I have learned here.

Marietta Keane Close
Aston University
Science Industrial Placement Scheme, Operational Analysis 2010-2011
I only started my industrial placement year at NATS a few months ago but I've already become involved in a variety of different projects, incorporating a wide use of skills. I have a range of different projects on at the same time, from constructing flight simulations to analysing observation reports, enabling me to switch between them. Read more

One of the first pieces of work I became involved in was producing quarterly reports for airlines; summarising the number of level busts (when a plane deviates 300 feet from its assigned level) that had incurred. This project began with a thorough analysis of the results and concluded in producing informative reports for the airlines, which was a long but rewarding process.

Throughout my time here, I've been encouraged to highlight any areas of expertise which I would either like to bring to my placement or learn whilst here. As a result, I'm now well equipped in Java skills and have been approached about a future project which will employ Java programming. I'm also gaining experience in using Microsoft Access and VBA which I've never used before, so I'm keen to learn all about it.

I'm confident that my year within Operational Analysis has enhanced my existing skills, as well as giving me new ones. These will help me to complete my final year at university, as well as standing me in good stead for my future career.