Meet Barney, one of our project engineer interns

My name is Barney, and I am a Project Engineer Intern at Global Marine, based in the Chelmsford office. I joined the team in June 2024 and am pursuing a BEng in Mechanical Engineering at Nottingham Trent University.
What motivated you to apply for an internship at this company?
I was motivated to apply for an internship with Global Marine because of it’s strong reputation within the subsea cable installation and maintenance industry. This internship also presented an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in project engineering.
What were your first impressions of the company when you started?
My first impressions when I started were very positive. The whole team made me feel welcome and ensured a comfortable introduction. The office was very well organised and I could tell it was a happy working environment from the get-go.
Can you describe what a typical day in your internship looks like?
I wouldn’t say there is a typical day within the internship as each day has been different, full of exciting challenges and tasks. There is never a dull-moment and I have never felt bored. You can expect a lot of interesting tasks, a variety of meetings with different professionals and changes of scenery.
What skills have you gained or improved during your internship?
One of the specific skills that I have improved during my internship is my CAD ability. I have spent a good amount of time working with technical drawings which has been extremely helpful. I would say one of the skills I am most proud of improving is my decision making ability under pressure.
How has this internship helped you in understanding your career goals?
This internship has given me valuable insight into the subsea cable installation and maintenance industry. Being hands-on in the field allowed me to see how project engineering directly supports the critical infrastructure thar drives global communication. This experience has clarified my interest and made me confident in pursuing a career in this area.

Have you had the opportunity to receive mentorship or guidance from experienced professionals?
Absolutely. There are so many professionals within Global Marine who have so much experience within the industry and who have always been happy to help guide me throughout projects and tasks. My Manager Shaun Atkinson throughout the experience made sure that the help and guidance I needed was always there, as well as opened pathways for me to ask questions to many other departments in the team.
What kind of projects or tasks have you worked on?
During my time at Global Marine I have worked on multiple tasks & projects including assisting in the mobilisation of a vessel, creating CAD drawings and completing technical cable calculations. Within my internship I have also spent time off-shore, learning first-hand as to how cable repairs are completed.
What advice would you give to future interns who are considering applying?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep an open mind. There’s a lot of experienced individuals within the company, so definitely try to take on as much information as possible.
Do you feel this internship has opened doors for potential full-time opportunities?
Yes, this internship has definitely opened doors for potential full-time opportunities. Working within this role has allowed me to develop relevant technical skills and build a strong foundation as an engineer. I have also recently signed a full-time contract with Global Marine which is extremely exciting for my future.
Would you recommend this company to other students or graduates looking for internships? Why?
I definitely would recommend this company to other students/graduates looking for internships. Unlike many other internships, Global marine allow for much more hands-on learning. Within a 3-month internship I had learnt a plethora of different skills and worked alongside multiple different departments to assist in delivering many different projects.