This document is designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and experiences that will prepare you for a successful career in technology. Whether you’re just starting your journey or already building projects, it shows you the key skills that engineers and innovators at Arm use every day, from problem-solving and collaboration to adaptability, AI, and leadership.
Each skill section gives you:
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Why it matters – a big-picture idea about why the skill matters at Arm and in the wider tech industry
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Evidence examples – practical ways you can show that you’ve developed this skill, so you can speak confidently about it in applications, interviews, or on your CV
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How to develop yourself – suggested projects, challenges, and activities that will help you build real experience
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What to read or watch – books, courses, and resources to deepen your understanding and keep you learning. These include Arm and Arm partner materials and additional materials. (Please note that the additional materials are not endorsed by Arm. All were checked, live and accurate at the time of writing.)
Use this content as both a checklist and a launchpad: check off skills you can already evidence and pick out areas where you want to grow. Try small projects, get involved in communities, and take advantage of the many opportunities to learn. The more you build and reflect, the stronger your foundation will be when stepping into university, apprenticeships, internships, or your first full-time role.
This isn’t just about technical ability—it’s about becoming the kind of engineer or innovator who can adapt, collaborate, and make a positive impact on the world through technology.
Arm designs the brains of billions of devices—solving problems from energy efficiency to enabling AI.
“Applied structured thinking to solve a technical or real-world problem.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Used a micro:bit to collect environmental data and analysed results to
suggest solutions.”
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Build small coding projects (Python, C) on Arm-based boards (micro:bit, Raspberry Pi, Arduino).
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Take part in STEM challenges (CyberFirst, AstroPi, First Robotics etc.).
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Practice breaking big problems into smaller steps
What to read or watch from Arm and Arm partners:
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Arm School Program resources, in particular the two online courses:
Additional materials:
Arm’s engineers work with partners worldwide—collaboration across cultures drives innovation.
“Contributed effectively to a group project, using digital tools to stay organised.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Worked with classmates in different time zones to deliver a coding
project.”
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Join online hackathons or GitHub projects.
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Use collaboration tools (GitHub, Teams, Slack).
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Pair-program or peer review code with classmates.
Additional materials:
Technology changes fast—Arm engineers constantly learn new skills and adapt to new markets.
“Learned and applied a new tool quickly to complete a task.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Taught myself TensorFlow basics to build a simple image classifier.”
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Try out new coding languages or frameworks every few months.
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Join online learning platforms (EdX, Coursera, Kaggle, freeCodeCamp).
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Take part in coding competitions with unfamiliar problem sets.
Additional materials:
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TED Talks on lifelong learning and technology
From smartphones to self-driving cars, Arm technology powers AI at the edge. Understanding data and AI is now essential.
“Collected and analysed data to produce useful insights.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Used CreateAI on the micro:bit to train a gesture recognition model and
applied it in a project.”
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Train small ML models with tools like Teachable Machine or Edge Impulse.
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Learn about and how to use Python data libraries (pandas, matplotlib).
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Explore how AI is used in healthcare, sustainability, and accessibility.
- Complete the Introduction to AI online course by Arm Education
Additional materials:
Arm processors are designed for maximum energy efficiency — sustainable computing enables a greener world.
“Considered environmental or ethical impacts in a project.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Designed a water monitoring system that helps reduce waste.”
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Enter competitions with a sustainability focus (e.g. UN SDGs).
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Evaluate the energy or resource impact of your projects.
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Debate ethics of AI and tech in class or clubs.
Additional materials:
Leaders at Arm are not just managers—they’re innovators who take initiative and guide others.
“Led a group or initiative to achieve a technical or creative outcome.”
For example, be able to say that you have:
“Organised a coding club at school and introduced peers to micro:bit
projects.”
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Volunteer as project/team lead in group tasks.
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Mentor peers in coding or STEM clubs.
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Start your own small project or competition team.
Additional materials:
- Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
Great engineers don’t just come up with ideas—they know how to turn them into impact. At Arm, engineers combine technical know-how with business thinking, guiding teams, spotting opportunities, and shaping solutions that make a difference.
Evidence this skill by being able to say:
“I helped my team successfully pitch a project idea at a local hackathon.”
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Explore how technology ideas move from concept to prototype to real-world product.
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Team up with friends to design a mini business plan around a technology project idea.
Want to see how world-changing ideas get started? Check out these conversations with pioneers who blended vision, leadership, and innovation to create lasting impact:
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Arm Education in Conversation with Sophie Wilson (YouTube video) - Discover the story of how the very first Arm processor was created, and learn why creativity, problem-solving, and “making things” still matter today.
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Arm Education in Conversation with Eben Upton (YouTube video) - Hear the origin story of Raspberry Pi, why Eben chose Arm as the foundation, and his advice to aspiring engineers who want to break into the world of technology. A great example of turning a bold idea into a global success.
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Culture Won: How culture propelled Arm from start-up to global technology phenomenon, Keith Clarke
Additional materials:
Ready to level up your tech journey? Discover our college-level resources that let you dive deeper into the exciting world of computer engineering. Explore how embedded systems power everyday devices, how the Internet of Things (IoT) connects our world, and how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shaping the future.
Education Kits: These materials are designed to help teaching staff bring the latest Arm technology into the classroom. But if you’re ready to push your skills further, you can download them yourself and start exploring the world of embedded systems, IoT, and AI today.
Online Courses: Explore our freely accessible online courses and discover the latest Arm technologies. From hardware and software design to the principles behind our connected world, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to take your learning to the next level.
Books: Our books guide you from the basics of electrical and computer engineering to advanced overviews of Arm-based technologies. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for expert-level understanding, these textbooks and references are your path to deeper knowledge and real-world skills. All are available as free PDFs.** **
Why join Arm?
Join the Team Behind One of the UK’s Greatest Tech Success Stories
From Cambridge, where Arm began, to our thriving teams in Manchester, Sheffield, and Bristol, our UK offices are where emerging talent contributes to global innovation. Whether you’re helping to shape the next generation of processors or building tools used across open-source communities, the work you do here will have real-world impact from day one.
Our roots in the UK run deep and so does our commitment to supporting the next generation of tech leaders. In 2025, we were recognised as the UK’s #1 Graduate Employer by TargetJobs and ranked the #1 Best Place to Work by Glassdoor. These honours reflect the environment we’ve built: one where you’re empowered to learn, grow and make a difference. As part of our emerging talent programmes, you’ll tackle meaningful challenges in areas like AI, sustainability, connectivity, and compute performance. Along the way, you’ll be supported by a dedicated network including your peers, programme team, manager, buddy, and mentor, all here to help you succeed.
Each of our UK locations brings something unique, but all are connected by a shared purpose: to push technology forward and create positive global change, starting right here in the UK.
Graduate Programmes
Two-year programmes starting each September, with roles available in both software and hardware engineering. You’ll gain hands-on experience across projects, build your technical expertise, and develop your professional skills through structured training and mentorship.
Internships
Summer and year-long placements available across multiple UK offices, offering opportunities in a range of technical and business areas. Programmes run for 3, 6, or 12 months, giving you practical industry experience and the chance to work alongside experts in your field.
Apprenticeships
Opportunities in areas such as software engineering and data analytics, available in Cambridge, Sheffield, and Manchester. We offer Level 4 to Level 6 apprenticeships, where you can work towards a full degree while gaining 80% on-the-job training and 20% academic study. Recruitment opens in early 2026, with start dates in September 2026.