Working in Defence — Then and Now — Meet Sarah

We are running a series of Then and Now articles about individuals and their careers in Defence and the wider Civil Service.

Introduce yourself.

My name is Sarah and I work in a busy Flying Training School, dealing with all things administration.

Having worked within the elementary flying training world for 20 years, I have seen it evolve into what it is today, delivering first class flying training — educating today’s aircrew for tomorrow’s Royal Air Force.

How did you feel when you first joined Defence?

I was, I admit, a little apprehensive as it was my first full-time job following a career break to have children, but I was overwhelmed by how family-orientated it is, and I felt a real sense of belonging.

What qualities/experiences do you think you bring to your workplace?

I am the only Civil Servant in a military team and believe I bring a different perspective to many situations and even more conversations! I have two daughters both of similar ages to our students, so I hope I can empathise with them and support them through the stresses and strains of their training.

Would you recommend working in Defence to friends/family?

Absolutely! Working in MOD has given me the opportunity to get back into the workplace, update and develop my skills, gain experience and feel a valued member of the team, the Squadron and the wider organisation.

What has been the main successes of your career in MOD? What are you most proud of?

I am proud of being called upon to mentor others, being selected for the Positive Action Pathway development programme and ultimately being trained as an Aircrew Performance Coach.

What motivates you at work?

My motivation has always been to do my best, even if the outcome might not be what I had hoped. If I know I have done the best I could possibly do, I’m content.

What’s the best thing about working in MOD?

The opportunities to develop and grow, meet some amazing people, break down barriers and reach for the sky!