If I Knew Then – Chloe Garland

An engineer in the military aircraft sector, Chloe Garland was named the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Technician of the Year in 2020.

Chloe worked as a deputy project certification manager and structures subject matter expert for the Military Aviation Authority in Abbey Wood before recently taking up a new role in Germany. She is also working towards her MSc in military aerospace and airworthiness.

How did you start out in your career?
I joined an advanced apprenticeship in mechanical and electrical engineering whilst working on numerous aircraft projects. I’m now studying for a masters in aerospace and airworthiness whilst working full-time as an engineer.

If you knew then what you know now, what mistakes might you have avoided?
I broke my back skiing which prevented me from doing the career I’d always dreamt of as a military pilot. I think I would have avoided the ‘one last jump’ in the snow park if I could go back. As an aircraft engineer, it’s the closest I can get and fulfils my career aspirations.

Chloe Garland was named the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Technician of the Year in 2020 – photo courtesy of Chloe Garland 

What advice would you have given yourself when starting out?
My university identified I was dyslexic last year. I struggled all through my apprenticeship (and throughout school and college) and even though I did ask for help, I wasn’t given any. I should have trusted my gut instincts and just paid for private help.

Other than that, I wouldn’t change my path. I’ve lived and worked all over the world before joining the apprenticeship. Engineering was exactly what I wanted to do as my ‘back up plan’, and the apprenticeship meant way more to me at a mature age than it would have if I was 16 and straight from school.

If you knew then what you know now, would you still be sitting there?
Yes, I’ve been with my employer for more than five years and I haven’t seriously looked elsewhere. I’m fortunate that I have opportunities to work on different projects, so when I get itchy feet, I look for a new team to join where I can share my skills, but where they can offer me new experiences to grow.

What do you know now that you didn’t know then?
Far too much to detail. One thing I have learnt though is just because one person has a negative opinion of you, or if they think you aren’t good enough, there will be ten people who believe in you, and the problem likely lies with that one individual and not you.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received so far?
Always ask for help. There aren’t often ‘second chances’ in this industry, mistakes can lead to a catastrophic disaster.

What is your business highlight?
I’ve just won the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s Technician of the Year Award for the work I carried out on my last project. That felt good.

https://twitter.com/IETawards/status/1324672900843114497

What is your business low point?
I finished my apprenticeship early and management wouldn’t allow me to promote off the scheme. After all my hard work and determination to excel in my career, someone whose sole job was to develop me, didn’t care about my career and was responsible for holding me back.

What keeps you awake?
Juggling uni and a demanding job, whilst trying to sell my property in the UK and set up life in Germany. I’m passionate about my career so it’s difficult to switch off sometimes and find a good work/life balance.

What’s changed from when you started out?
I have the freedom to apply for jobs in companies and places I never had before.

What’s still on your to-do list?
I would like to promote the industry’s apprenticeships to older people and women. It’s really cliché as there are a lot of companies who already market hard at young girls, but I think the apprenticeship route for all ages should be pushed harder.

There are so many people in their 30s and older who would bring an amazing skill set and life experience to the industry.

Engineering isn’t just turning a spanner, it’s thinking out of the box to find a solution, it’s risk assessing, it’s complying to regulations, its customer service, it’s sticking to budgets and project managing and more.

What’s next for you in business and personally?
I want to apply for my Incorporated Engineering status but without a Bachelors degree this is more difficult, so the skills I will learn in my new job will help. Personally, I’d like to learn German and I’m looking forward to a winter of skiing.

Main photo courtesy of Chloe Garland 

Read more: If I Knew Then: Ellie Webb