Life at JLR blog
Designing, Testing, Learning: Inside an Early Careers Placement
A look at how Sophie’s placement has taken her from research to real‑world manufacturing in just six months.
What do you study at university and what programme are you on?
My name is Sophie; I study Product Design Engineering at Loughborough University. I’m currently 6 months into the Hardware & Mechatronics undergraduate program at JLR. Within this program I have been placed in the Body Exteriors Joining team.
What are some of your day-to-day tasks?
My day-to-day tasks vary a lot. From researching current and new joining technologies, performing testing in the materials lab to visiting suppliers, no two days are the same. I really enjoy being able to see what I am researching and learning in practice. I have done a lot of work with self-piercing rivet technologies during my placement, researching and learning how the joining solution is applied in best practice and have done test work relating to them too. I love that my work is not restricted to just the theory as I am able to get hands on in the lab too.
A full circle moment was going to one of our SPR suppliers and seeing the full process of how an SPR is made, from forging to packaging, then later going to the Solihull plant and seeing them used on the manufacturing line. Amazing seeing the full journey from start to finish.
What is something you've learnt?
The biggest lesson I have learnt is to not be afraid to put myself out there. At the start of my placement, I found it scary just sending a teams message to someone I had not met before but after getting some amazing advice I have learnt to get out of my own head and just send the message or pitch the idea. It’s absolutely worth pushing yourself to be the person to start the conversation as you never know what may grow from it.
Have you taken part in anything outside of your day job?
Outside of work I have attended a few of the early careers socials including the treasure hunt where we were put in teams and tasked to find different places in and around Leamington Spa. This was a fun way to get to know the other undergrads at the start of our placement journeys. JLR has a fantastic early careers network with a wide breadth of socials and clubs. There’s even an early careers Ski trip which I am looking forward to attending this coming March!
How has your team supported you?
My team have been amazing, especially with understanding that I am at the start of my career and have so much to learn. They have provided me with training and are never too busy for me to ask any questions I have regarding the work I am doing. I was eased into the workload however now I have been put on bigger tasks – even leading a project of my own! I am so grateful to my team for trusting me to be able to do exciting and meaningful work despite being so early in my career.
What advice would you give to somebody applying?
If I were to give someone applying to JLR one piece of advice, it would be to focus on the Creator’s Code and reflect on how it aligns with who you are. Customer Love, Unity, Integrity, Growth, and Impact are the core values that shape everything at JLR. When people genuinely work by these values, it creates a powerful positive difference. Even during the application process, showing how you embody these principles can really strengthen your candidacy.