By Sunnie Rock, Recruitment Marketing Business Partner

Working on technologies that support our company’s mission, ‘We Protect Those Who Protect Us®,’ is bound to create a strong sense of trust and camaraderie between our employees. But for Kristian (Electrical Engineer) and Gjozef “Jo” Ivanaj (Intern), that camaraderie began long before they joined BAE Systems. I sat down with them to understand what life at BAE Systems is like as teammates, and better yet as siblings.

Why engineering? How did you both begin working at BAE Systems?

Kristian: Our parents left our home country to give us a better life and always stressed the importance of family and education. I was eager to start a career to show them it wasn’t all for nothing and I’ve always been interested in engineering. During my second summer in college, I joined BAE Systems as an engineering intern and have worked full-time as an electrical engineer for the past three years.

Jo: BAE Systems was at my university’s career fair. I wanted to become an engineer to develop new technologies that could help the world. I knew that Kristian had a great experience with the company, so I submitted my resume for consideration and received an email that an opportunity was available as an engineering intern. I was inspired by Kristian's career path and wanted to follow in his footsteps.

Kristian, you mentioned your parents leaving their country to come to the United States. Can you tell me more?

Kristian: We are a first-generation family of immigrants. It was a culture shock when our parents and uncles arrived in the United States. Our father earned his law degree before leaving Montenegro, but found himself washing dishes in the U.S. Restaurant work is common for Albanians. Even through all the challenges of immigrating to the U.S., losing the value of a law degree, our parents wanted a better life for us. They always made education and family a priority. That's what keeps us focused and so close. We know the sacrifices of our parents and we want to show them it wasn't for nothing. It’s the best way we can give back to them to recognize their hard work and the impact it has, and will make for generations to come. All we have is family at the end of the day.

Jo: It is the best blessing to see how far we have come together, as best friends. We used to get up at seven in the morning, and put on stained restaurant uniforms for a long day at a physically demanding job. Now we are using our education to build a career. If he succeeds, I succeed.

Do you work together or cross paths during the day?

Kristian: We are both working remotely, but Jo started working during the pandemic so he missed out on the team building. To help, we started taking time during the day together to talk about things like you would with any other colleague in an office setting.

Jo: It’s been helpful having Kristian here to show me the ropes and help me navigate the company. It’s great to be able to have a lunch break and have someone to talk with. We don’t work on any projects together, but I work on a program that Kristian used to work on, so his wealth of knowledge has been priceless.

Is there a meaningful moment that stands out to you?

Kristian: While I was in school I was working as a server at a restaurant and eventually helped Jo get a job there to help him save for college. It was a challenging work environment and very fast past-paced, but we pushed through it together. It was then that I was able to see Jo's work ethic first-hand. Sometimes I think back to that time, and remember how much Jo has grown, and how lucky I am that I get to work with my best friend.

Jo: I agree with Kristian about working with your best friend, it’s been great. It also means a lot to me to have this opportunity with an amazing team. The BAE Systems team cares about me and my career and helps motivate me while providing me with opportunities for development.

Why BAE Systems?

Kristian: People often ask me what it’s like to work within the defense industry. I believe the work we do is beyond important. We build vehicles and provide services to protect the people who are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect our nation. They are protecting our right to freedom, dreams, and opportunities. Our jobs are a part of protecting those freedoms so more people can live out those dreams and provide those opportunities for people our parents.

It's also the people. We could work at any defense company, but it's about the people we work with every day. Starting at a new company is challenging, but the intern program is amazing about pulling people together, and fostering interactions with leadership. People treated me with kindness, listened to my ideas, cared about my development and provided me flexibility to help me better balance school. I knew that Jo would be taken care of and would be able to keep school a priority.

Jo: For me, it’s also the opportunity to work with people with such a wealth of knowledge and who are open to my ideas. And it’s not just blanket feedback, my input is given serious consideration and implementation. I feel like I can express myself and it won't hold me back from reaching my full potential.

Jo, as an intern, what's next for you?

Jo: I am graduating in December and hope to find a full-time position here. I've learned so much with my intern rotations and would like to continue developing my career.

The best part of my job is meeting our employees and hearing their stories – each one is unique. It’s authentic stories like these that help drive my efforts as a Recruitment Marketing Business Partner to connect the right candidates with the right positions. Find a career that inspires you on our website!