21
September
For National Sales Manager at Atlas Copco, Jason Pollard, his military grounding was excellent preparation for a customer-facing role in the compressed air industry.
Background
Jason was 16 when he joined the Royal Navy, progressing through the ranks to become a marine engineer with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Jason talks about how his mechanical and electrical engineering background helped paved the way for a successful civilian career in sales.
“I served in the Royal Navy for five years and gained a huge variety of skills. Of course, there were the technical skills – keeping essential plant and machinery operational was an essential part of my day-to-day role.
"The compressed air industry is really diverse. From the outside, you might think it’s only for engineers, but the opportunities are vast. From logistics to sales to operations to planning – there’s a role for
everyone!”
But we were also exposed to all kinds of challenges and new situations, often on a daily basis. You quickly became accustomed to thinking on your feet, working to deadlines, assessing the urgency and prioritising fast!
When I left the military, I found that my skills were in demand and could be put to good use in the compressed air industry. Unlike some of my fellow veterans, who have faced numerous barriers when transitioning to a civilian career, I found the compressed air industry to be very receptive to my skillset.
I joined Atlas Copco almost immediately, starting as a service engineer, before moving to the sales team, which, eleven years later, I am now very proud to manage.”
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