What's your job about?

I work at Essential Energy, one of the three electricity distributors that serve NSW, providing power to regional, rural and remote communities, and working to facilitate the renewable energy transition.  I am a part of the graduate program which offers six-month rotations.

Being part of this program, I have gained a great insight into how the company operates, which teams I enjoy working with, as well as developing the skills and knowledge to work in these teams. During my first year, I have been part of the following:

• The application and approval process for large loads (think Megawatts), solar farms and large-scale batteries.
• The design process for substations, including advising electrical ratings for our equipment, educating and creating policy on galvanic corrosion, and figuring out at which point buildings are damaged and people injured after possible equipment fails.
• Multiple site visits including a week touring the Riverina Region (and seeing equipment built in 1932), and a trip to Canberra and the Snowy Mountains where I was lucky enough to get a tour through Tumut 3 (the biggest power station in the Snowy Hydro scheme).
• Specifying the settings for the equipment we use to keep everyone safe.

What's your background?

I grew up in Newcastle and attended school locally, where I developed an interest in chemistry and engineering. It was during this time that I completed HSC Visual Arts, giving me a strong idea that I wanted my career to be something that left a positive impact on the world.

From these interests, I initially hoped to study chemical engineering. However, during an open day at the University of Newcastle, the discipline was described as “process engineering”, an unexciting prospect, which tied with the strong likelihood I would have to work in the coal industry. This isn’t what I wanted to do. Luckily, on the same day the university showcased a brand-new degree offering a specialisation in renewable energy.

I started studying in 2020 and as a result, I completed most of my degree remotely, working in bars and pubs throughout. This exposed me to a wide range of people and experiences, giving me a good perspective on how people interact and what hard work can really be.
In my final year, I began applying for graduate positions (including through Prosple), eventually landing an interview with Essential Energy (a company I hadn’t heard of up to that point). Through the interview process and the following assessment day at the Corporate Office in Port Macquarie, I learnt about the organisation, how it helps people, and how I might fit into it. Luckily, my application was successful, and I have been working with Essential Energy for just over a year.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Definitely! While an engineering degree or relevant diploma is a must, having an understanding of electrical fundamentals and a strong willingness to learn will get you far. 

Having a strong knowledge base can be a huge advantage, but a lot of the skills and expertise needed is developed while tackling problems and asking for help from the people around you.

What's the coolest thing about your job?

As a State Government-owned organisation, I really like that we can operate in a way that ensures that our most vulnerable communities in regional, rural and remote NSW can still access essential services without looking for ways to turn a profit.

Another big part of what I enjoy about working with Essential Energy is its role in the energy transition, where, due to its vast network footprint some locations are ideally positioned for the installation of renewable energy technologies, including deploying Stand Alone Power Systems (SAPS) where it makes sense to.

What are the limitations of your job?

Essential Energy has a very large footprint, serving 95 percent of NSW and parts of southern QLD, resulting in a distributed workforce. This distance reduces chances for impromptu interactions, like asking quick questions or chancing into in-depth discussions, which are important when you’re just starting your career and trying to build relationships. To get around this, the company uses Zoom and Microsoft Teams. However, one of the biggest hurdles is a personal one – becoming comfortable reaching out to, and at times cold-calling, people you don’t know. This does become easier with time as team members are happy to talk and provide the information you need.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Companies know you are a grad and expect you to be inexperienced. Be excited to learn and ask heaps of questions, but don’t feel like you need to know everything.
2. Use this time to try out new things, get into new hobbies, meet new people. After this, you’ll have to plan around your work.
3. Where offered, attend networking events and webinars to broaden your horizons. This might sound like hard work in the short term but will benefit you in the long run.