After 13 years in the Royal Engineers, Mikey figured it was time to make a change. 
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Having joined at 16 and worked his way up to Corporal, he was ready to settle down and get on with the next chapter. That chapter? Landing a role at Schneider Electric, where his electrical expertise from the Army was a perfect fit.

Military Background 

Mikey’s time in the Royal Engineers gave him a solid grounding in electrical engineering. Between ages 18 and 21, he was elbow-deep in power systems and generators, learning the ropes and gaining invaluable experience.

"I was an electrical engineer in the Army. So I did my training when I was like 18 to 21, electrical engineering stuff, like generators, power systems, all that sort of thing. It's done me well for the job I'm in now" he reflects.

The Transition Journey

Like most service leavers, Mikey wasn’t exactly sure what he was doing at first and just went along with the flow, being told one thing and then another. His breakthrough came at a career fair, where a casual chat led to a job offer.

"I saw Suzie, and she said, come down to this assessment day, I didn't really think much of it then, I just said ok, I'll come down and see what it's about. They wanted to see me two weeks later, and I got offered the job."

Finding the Right Fit 

Schneider Electric turned out to be just the right blend of technical challenge and personal development. But it was the company’s focus on growth and training that sealed the deal for Mikey.

"The salary was the main thing, but they were telling me about the work and how no one expects anything of you straight away, you're here to learn. That's what I liked and I still get that feeling now," he shares. "They don't push me too hard, but I think they will in the next year. So, I like that transition because this is all new to me as well."

Life at Schneider Electric

Now, as an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) engineer, Mikey keeps critical power systems running smoothly for banks, data centres, and other essential infrastructure. His job makes sure everything stays powered up, preventing costly system outages. And the work-life balance? Sorted.

"It's perfect for me. Some days I could be working two days and then I could have a day off just randomly, I'm getting home enough and I'm working away a little bit.”

His military background comes in handy too, especially when it comes to solving problems on the job, and the nature of the work means every day is different, so he’s challenged enough to keep him on his toes. 

Advice for Other Veterans

Mikey’s advice to those leaving the military? Make sure to use every resource available to you.

 "From the start, just take everything the military offers you on your resettlement. Take everything you can, even if it's like the course you don't even think you want to do. Just do it if it's free."

He also stresses the importance of being genuine and having the confidence to be your real self.

"Don't be afraid to tell them what you can offer and what you do and don't know as well... They just want to see the real you." 

He also stresses the importance of being genuine and asking the right questions.

“Some of the engineers I’ve worked with, they’ve seen me ask a question and they’ve said, 'why are you asking that?' And I just say, well, I'm never going to know if I don't ask, you know what I mean? No question is a stupid question.”

Looking Forward

Mikey’s transition has gone better than expected, with plenty of challenges and growth opportunities. From international training in France to working on projects all over the UK, he’s found a role that keeps him engaged while letting him build the life he wants.

"Every day is different," he says. "I can be doing some battery changes one day and then the next day I could be installing a brand new product for another customer. I'm enjoying it."

If you're curious about what roles your skills could match with, try our free career recommendation report. It’ll even highlight any gaps and suggest steps to fill them. It's free, so click here to get started.

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