SMIFutures: Early Career Profiles - Alexander Considine

Introducing our new monthly feature that puts the spotlight on the brilliant minds driving the future of the maritime industry. Each month, we'll dive into the journeys, experiences, and insights of our SMIFutures board members to celebrate their contributions and the essence of the group.

SMIFutures, our vibrant community of young professionals, has been carefully crafted to nurture the maritime leaders of tomorrow. These individuals actively engage in Council and Board activities, forging industry connections, boosting confidence, and injecting fresh, diverse perspectives into both SMI initiatives and the broader maritime sector. 

In this month's feature, we meet Alexander Considine, an emerging talent in the maritime sector. As Project Controls Manager focusing on Reporting & Governance, Alexander's journey is as inspiring as it is dynamic. Join us as we delve into his maritime career and discover the forces propelling his success, and uncover the motivations and experiences that propel his maritime career forward.

What initially attracted you to your maritime organisation, and why did you choose it as a career path?

I knew that I always wanted to work in a large organisation, and for me, that meant a large, complex and fascinating engineering project – the bigger, the better! I have always been interested in defence and amazed by the sheer scale and complexity of some defence engineering projects. In honesty, I had never considered working in the maritime industry – it was only because a Project Management Industrial Placement opportunity was available at BAE Systems Naval Ships Scotstoun that I then considered working in the maritime industry. BAE Systems, an organisation with global reach, ticked all the boxes and would provide me with unique experiences, career development and stability, and the opportunity to work on some truly impressive projects and feats of engineering. I could grow and develop within BAE Systems but be involved in any number of programmes, doing pretty much any role. I am still in awe of the work we do and the products we make, and I am thrilled to be part of a team where my small part to play could have an impact on something far bigger. This career has opportunity and flexibility, and my career path could take me anywhere!

How did you navigate the transition from being a student in school or university to a working professional in the maritime industry?

My first professional job was as a Project Management Industrial Placement (IP) between my second and third years of university at BAE Systems Naval Ships in Glasgow. BAE Systems provided a great support network and the opportunity to engage with other IPs at the company. This made moving away from home, to a new city, much easier – I wasn’t the only one who had a) moved away or b) started their first professional job. The IP programme gave me a taste of work, before finishing my degree – so I could see if the job, career and organisation were right for me. After university, I was on the Project Management Graduate Programme, again with people in the same position. BAE Systems provided a great support network, which really helped the transition from university to ‘the real world’ and work. It took a while to get used to the early starts, expectations and workload, though my IP year and final year of university helped me to understand what life would be like after university. In a way, it was a baptism of fire – but it is what I needed. I wasn’t expected to deliver on day one (which helped), though the expectation of contributing quickly was there, which gave me drive, direction and something to aim for.

What skills or qualities do you believe are essential for success in the maritime industry, especially for early career professionals?

The first thing is to recognise that learning doesn’t stop after university – it’s key to always be open to new ideas and new ways of thinking. In addition to this, it’s essential to be able to work as part of a team, but also think about the ‘bigger picture’ as well as solving the more localised and complex problems. I admire people who are able to generate simplicity out of complexity, and really break down a problem into constituent parts. Strategic thinking and putting the end goal in mind (whether that be a customer requirement or operational capability) are key to success. Projects and programmes are often long in duration, so being open minded and having a vision for the future will help too!

How do you balance work and personal life, and what strategies do you use to maintain a healthy work-life integration?

I used to be really bad at balancing my work and personal life, and I would always be doing as much work as possible to try and get everything done. I then realised that there is always more work, and work will always be there – so I now try to maintain a mindset of ‘there is only so much I can do in one day, and only so much I can do before I become less effective’. Realising this and using this mantra helps put work, life, and everything else that is going on into perspective and balance. I do all the work that I can, but when it comes to clocking off and being at home, I leave work at work. For me, being back in the office full time has really helped integrating (but distinguishing) my work and personal lives, creating a mental and physical boundary between work and home. The commute I have helps me to get ready for the day ahead in the morning, and also de-compress after what can sometimes be a long day. Lastly, it’s all about open communication with your local line management team and/or employer at a wider level. There will be times when overtime is required or some work needs to be done (occasionally) in the evening. Recognising this, and not trying to cram it all into the day, can often help relieve stress and ultimately produce better outputs as work isn’t then rushed and completed to a lower standard (but not letting work take over is key) – expectation setting (about what can and can’t be done) with line management definitely helps here). BAE Systems has a fantastic support network and encourages conversations with your line manager to ensure each employee has an appropriate work-life balance.

What do you find most rewarding about working in the maritime industry, and what motivates you to continue pursuing your career in this field?

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing it all come together and seeing the ships we build being used by the Royal Navy. Being able to witness key events such as float off and sea trials brings me a huge sense of pride and makes me thirsty for more. It motivates me to work hard and continue what I am doing, performing my part to help provide the required capability to our customers. The sheer scale of the engineering and manufacturing effort is inspiring enough! On a day-to-day level, I love interacting with a large number and variety of people across numerous fields and specialities. Having such a diversity of work is both energising and exciting.

Can you give a fun fact about you and your maritime career?

I participated in ‘Sea Trials’ for HMS Forth (First of Class RCB2 OPV), which was both an honour and a rewarding experience. One of my career highlights is seeing all our work culminate into an outstanding maritime engineering and manufacturing achievement.