Ten years at the top: The Royal Aeronautical Society careers service

The Royal Aeronautical Society is the focal point for today's global aerospace community, so where better to have established the UK's only aerospace careers centre, which in July 2007 will mark its 10-year anniversary. Since 1997, the Royal Aerospace Society's Careers Centre has helped thousands of people wanting to get into aerospace and aviation.

Our key objectives are to:

* Provide information on career opportunities within the industry.

* Promote aerospace and aviation as the sector of choice.

* Support individuals seeking employment in the industry.

Our objectives are achieved through the following activities:

* A dedicated aerospace and aviation careers website.

* Exhibiting at a variety of external and internal events, from air shows to careers exhibitions.

* A one-to-one careers guidance service advising on CVs, online applications, interview preparation and other career development issues.

In addition to our many activities, the Royal Aeronautical Society is delighted to now run its own Aerospace and Aviation Careers Fair. Launched in December 2006, the event attracted many aerospace and aviation companies, including Atkins, Cobham, Astrium, DSTL, NATS, GAPAN, MBDA and many more.

This year, the event takes place on 9 November at our London HQ. It will be a unique opportunity to meet potential employers at the only careers fair dedicated to the aerospace and aviation community.

Membership opportunities

Our membership profile spans all sectors of the industry. Anyone involved in aerospace can join and we have grades of membership for everyone, from students to senior executives. The Society is proud to work on behalf of its members, so where better to benefit from a number of great opportunities, including:

* A dedicated Careers Centre providing expert careers advice

* An aerospace library and archive resource

* Free conference places for student members (subject to availability)

* Two magazines and one technical journal published monthly

* Unparalleled global networking opportunities

* The chance to apply for our Centennial scholarships - and much more!

Scholarship and award opportunities

The Society's Centennial Scholarship fund was established in 2003 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the first powered flight; its aim is to assist the next generation of aerospace pioneers achieve their goals. The fund can be used for a variety of purposes, including research grants and to assist towards aerospace- or aviation-related study. Thanks to the support of sponsors from corporate partners and individual members, the fund has gone from strength to strength and has been able to support many students and team initiatives, which it will continue to do in 2007. Applications are accepted twice a year; the next deadline is 5 September.

Tanwa Idris is the learning and development officer for the Royal Aeronautical Society. For further information on the Royal Aeronautical Society's Careers Centre call 020-7670 4325/6 or visit www.aerosociety.com

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Together with our current activities we will be holding two special events to celebrate our 10-year anniversary.

Aerospace Party - children's event for 10-year-olds

An educational fun day, to include engineering and aviation fun and games to stimulate the minds of today's young thinkers and launch a new Key Stage 2 educational booklet on aviation produced in partnership with the Yorkshire Air Museum. To be held on 6 July at our London headquarters.

Women in Aviation and Aerospace seminar

A one-day event celebrating women's achievements in the industry. To be held on 6 September 2007 at our London headquarters.

LIVING THE DREAM: ANGELA KELLY, THIRD-YEAR STUDENT AT KINGSTON UNIVERSITY

I am in my final year of a BEng honours in aerospace engineering design. I also take part in engineering events outside my academic life; I am a council member of the Women's Engineering Society and an affiliate member of the Royal Aeronautical Society. I feel that it is very important to promote engineering among young people in secondary schools and colleges; I try and do this by getting involved in a range of activities, such as being a youth ambassador at the Farnborough International Air Show Youth Day.

Before I embarked on my university degree I completed various types of engineering qualifications at Central Sussex College. I did a BTEC national diploma in aerospace engineering, an NVQ level 2 performing engineering operations and a City & Guilds in welding skills.

Ever since I can remember my dream was to work as an aeronautical engineer. I realised from an early stage that getting a job in the aerospace industry was not going to be a walk in the park. The Royal Aeronautical Society's Careers Centre has been great in helping me find a job in the aerospace industry. It was thanks to their advice that I found work with Messier-Dowty (a company that designs and manufactures aircraft landing gear) on their international graduate development Scheme.