From Radio Systems Operator to Marketing

Military Background

Helen Tilsley’s first contact with the military was with the Territorial Army back in 2000. The experience was a good one, so she signed up as an Army regular the following year to pursue a career as a radio systems operator, which would take her on exercises as far afield as Canada. “It was great fun, but I found the amount of downtime quite boring, so I applied to join 1 Signal Squadron,” she explains.

Following a short selection course Helen was successful in her application and enjoyed overseas operations and exercises, before becoming a lance corporal. In 2006, for family reasons, Helen decided the time was right for her to sign-off from the military, so she did what most people do and started talking to friends and family to see if there were any suitable opportunities for her to pursue.

Civilian Transition

To prepare for the transition from military life, amongst other things Helen engaged with the Career Transition Partnership (CTP). Attending their resettlement workshop provided Helen with ongoing career guidance which included CV and letter writing, along with preparation for interviews. Helen put these skills to good use when she wrote to the Marketing Manager for Defence & National Security at Fujitsu with the offer of a six-week civilian work attachment.

“I was delighted when my offer was accepted. I spent the whole six-weeks shadowing the Marketing Manager on what was a high-profile project, so the experience I gained was invaluable”. At the end of the attachment, Helen submitted her newly-written CV, and was eventually offered a full-time role to join the same marketing team in May 2006.

Life at Fujitsu

Despite having no previous marketing experience, Fujitsu identified Helen’s transferrable skills from the military that would make her a valuable asset within the business. “Fujitsu has supported me with both on-the-job experience, and more formal marketing training which has complemented the skills that I’ve brought with me from the military. It’s made me a more rounded individual now, and I feel like I’m a key part of the marketing team,” she explains.

As well as the personal development, Helen has also received invaluable support from Fujitsu during maternity leave and a career break. And now she has returned to work, the support has continued in the shape of flexible working patterns, as Helen has been able to restart her career around her new young family. “Raising children and pursuing a career can be tough, but Fujitsu’s support has helped us enormously.”

To begin with, Helen returned to work on a part-time basis, doing a three-day week which helped her keep the balance between work and family manageable. But now the children are growing up, Helen is back up to a four-day week. “The support we’ve received from Fujitsu has been fantastic as they treat you like a grown-up. Such an open approach to flexible working is what has made it possible for me to get the work-life balance right.”