Sam studied aerospace engineering at uni, worked for a Defence contractor and now says she has the best job in the world at the Defence Intelligence Organisation (DIO).
We picked her brain about her STEM + Defence journey…
CwS: Why STEM?
A: I’ve always been interested in STEM; the idea of being able to make anything you can imagine has always fascinated me, and is made possible with STEM.
CwS: Best thing about your job as a technical intelligence analyst?
A: The modelling projects are really cool and difficult. The challenge comes from developing a model with only half the information you need. I use my engineering background to find different sources and my analyst training to weigh up which sources and answers best fit the scenario/criteria that I’m trying
to model for. Plus I get to travel a lot!
CwS: What’s your advice for young people who want to learn about and pursue a career in STEM and Defence?
A: Join your university’s rocketry, solar car or any other engineering school-based team. You will make friends, connections, and practise what you’ve learnt at university.
Sam’s path to becoming a technical intelligence analyst, DIO
- Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Aerospace Engineering)
- Major electronics manufacturer
- Global Defence Engineering Company
- Technical Intelligence Analyst, DIO
This profile originally appeared in Issue 3 of Careers with STEM: Defence issue and is sponsored by Defence.
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