Jessie's story
Hear Jessie's experience of the Grid Connection Engineer Graduate program.
Jessie Wang is a member of the first cohort of the Grid Connection Engineer Graduate program, an industry-first initiative to recruit and train engineers performing a critical role for renewables. In her first rotation, we asked how she's been getting on.
Where have you been at your first placement, and how has it been going?
My first rotation has been with ElectraNet, working in the Connections Team in the Network Division. It’s been a great experience so far. During the first couple of months, I focused heavily on training, such as getting familiar with the company, understanding GPS processes, and building up my technical knowledge.
In the following months, I’ve been involved in several in-house due diligence studies and provided support to our teammates. I’ve also dedicated time to self-directed learning, not just on the technical side, but also on improving my interpersonal and teamwork skills.
Beyond work, I’ve taken part in some corporate extracurricular activities, like joining the Wednesday morning run club and participating in multicultural food tasting night. Overall, this placement has given me a solid foundation in both technical and collaborative aspects.
What's the most important thing you've done/learned so far?
The most important thing I've learned is how to communicate effectively and work within a team. Learning how to collaborate with different team members, share knowledge, and manage expectations has been incredibly valuable.
Where are you headed next and what are you looking forward to?
My next rotation will be with GPE Consulting. I’m looking forward to learning how consultants approach GPS (Generator Performance Standards) studies, and to gaining exposure to the tools and methodologies they use. It will be a great opportunity to broaden my perspective on the connection process from a consultancy angle and strengthen my analytical and project delivery skills.
Do you have any advice for future grads considering this program, or who want to work in clean energy?
This program is definitely a unique and exciting opportunity - it compresses years of experience into a much shorter time frame. My advice is to stay floating and open to learning. You’ll be constantly exposed to new ideas, tools, and challenges, so it’s important to stay engaged and adaptable. It’s a fantastic way to explore different companies, different workplaces and get different insights into the energy industry and discover where you can make the most impact.