I was keen to start what I thought would be a long new career. Big name, big company, lots of good reviews saying that BAE train their staff; what could go wrong?
Firstly: Security clearances aren't quick. No clearance means you need to be escorted around all day - yes, you guessed it, even to the toilet. I was hand picked for the job along with one other guy. whom I later found out would become my boss. It transpired that I would need to teach him because he lacked the relevant knowledge for the position...yet he was on more money than me - this was just a taster of what was to come.
The London office representatives give off a feeling of upper middle class snobs who look down at those not quite as fortunate. Hearing them drone on about touring the world and dining in expensive restaurants quickly became tiresome. They would pull a face like a spoiled child: 'Oh good god, you haven't been on holiday in the past 6 months?! Good grief!' One review mentioned that BAE is very cliquey. That review was spot on. You MUST be: white, willing to suck up to management and be from a well-off southern family to succeed there. One of the Indian guys there was criticized due to his limited understanding of plural and during a presentation; an S04/5 employee made a racist reference during induction.
Management didn't communicate with staff and all in all, I wanted to leave within weeks of joining. The politics and snobbery didn't make a nice working environment. Unless you're willing to put up with what I've described, look elsewhere.
