YOUR FULL NAME: Sanya Pramod
ROLE TITLE: Software Engineering Apprentice
ARE YOU A GRADUATE OR APPRENTICE? Apprentice
ROLE OVERVIEW: My tasks often include writing and reviewing code, troubleshooting
issues/bugs, and participating in team meetings to discuss project progress
such as stand-ups and sprint retrospectives/planning. This apprenticeship
provides me with the unique opportunity to apply my technical skills to realworld engineering challenges, while continuously developing both my
technical and professional abilities within Thales’ supportive environment.
What did you do before Thales? How did you find out about us? How long have you been with us? Have you transitioned roles or progressed since joining us yet?
I joined Thales immediately after completing my A-levels, choosing the
apprenticeship route over university as I’ve always preferred practical,
hands-on experience. My passion for coding and software development
began at a young age, so the Thales apprenticeship scheme was the ideal
opportunity for me to apply my skills and continue learning in a professional
environment.
I found out about Thales through careers fairs, where I learned more about the
company’s work and opportunities. Living near a Thales site also made me aware
of their presence and reputation in the area. I’ve been with Thales for about a
year now as a software engineering apprentice. I began my apprenticeship by
working on a mini project researching AI within Thales. This involved presenting
my findings to different audiences, which helped develop my AI skills and
communication abilities. After that, I transitioned to working on a Thales project
in Underwater Systems, where I’ve been involved in the activities of a software
engineer for almost 10 months, continuing to build on my practical experience.
Why is your current role important? How do you add benefit to your team?
My current role is essential because, as a software engineer in the Underwater
Systems team, I contribute to developing and maintaining the software that
powers Thales’ underwater technologies. My work helps the team deliver highquality solutions to meet customer and mission requirements.
As an apprentice, I bring value to my team in several ways. Firstly, I approach
problems with a fresh perspective and am eager to learn, which helps when
tackling new challenges or exploring innovative solutions. I’m proactive in
collaborating, sharing ideas, and supporting colleagues, whether that’s through
reviewing code, contributing to design discussions, or assisting with testing. My experience from researching AI also allows me to suggest improvements and
explore the potential for intelligent systems within our projects.
VOLUNTEERING STORY
Have you volunteered yet? What did you do? What did you gain or enjoy from volunteering
Some volunteering activities that I did includes:
- Participated as a panellist for Snapchat’s International Women’s Day event
- Supported many school outreach initiatives to engage students in STEM subjects
such as career fairs, teacher encounters and networking
- Contributed to hands-on science festival projects, demonstrating engineering
concepts to the public which I designed a website for
- Litter picks near the area to increase environmental impact not just from me but
also my software team
Opportunities from volunteering gave me an immense amount of visibility and
led to representing Thales at more events such as:
- HMS Victory event with industry partners
- House of Lords All Party Parliamentary Engineering Group event
I gained so many skills from volunteering such as developing public speaking and
communication skills through presenting and engaging with audiences. I also
thoroughly enjoyed making a positive impact by inspiring the next generation of
engineers. I also built a network with colleagues and professionals from other
organisations, increased personal and professional visibility within Thales.
Importantly, I Learned about the wider engineering community and its challenges
and also gained confidence and new perspectives by participating in diverse,
meaningful events
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING AT THALES?
What I enjoy most about working at Thales is the unique combination of
challenging projects, opportunities for growth, and a supportive and innovative
environment. I get to work on a variety of fascinating technologies, which keeps
my day-to-day experiences engaging and stretches my technical skills. The team
culture is highly collaborative; colleagues are approachable and always willing to
share their knowledge.
I also appreciate Thales’ commitment to personal development and inclusion,
through training, outreach events, and diversity initiatives, I continually find ways
to learn and contribute beyond my core role. In addition, it’s incredibly rewarding
to know that my work has a real impact, helping to deliver solutions that matter
to our customers and communities. This sense of purpose, along with the
opportunities to represent the company at special events, makes working at
Thales truly motivating and fulfilling for me.
