How did the graduate programme set you up for the role you are now in?
It was a great chance to meet many different people in Transpower and across the industry and build the foundations for a strong network of diverse people to support me in my new role. I went through eight different placements, including five engineering teams, two project management teams, and a service provider placement which had me working with external parties out in the field carrying out the work that those of us in the office decide is a good idea.
Going through so many placements gave me a fantastic chance to gain outside perspectives on the work I do in my role, that would have been much harder to get had I not worked outside of the role first.
The Programme was also filled to the brim with courses, events and other opportunities for learning, and for professional and leadership development. Knowing that I had backing and help from my supervisors and team members meant that I felt more confident to push myself out of my comfort zone and try new tasks than if I had not been in the supportive learning environment of the Programme.
What do you think is the Transpower difference?
Working with people who care both about their mahi and the stakeholders around the mahi that we do, and striving to get things right for the right reasons, is the Transpower difference. The Graduate Programme shines in my mind as it has you going around many different roles as opposed to staying in one role/area, so that you can find the role and team that you enjoy and can excel at.
What was the most surprising thing you found being on this programme?
Before I started the programme, I had hoped that I would be able to do meaningful and helpful work right off the bat but was unsure if this would be the case as someone so fresh out of university. However, my supervisors made sure I was being given work that I could see would have a positive impact on others, and also encouraged me to seek out opportune work that would make for great learning and development.
What made you feel part of the Transpower whanau?
I am reminded that people here care and are supportive through their words and have seen the sentiment in those words be followed up by their actions through challenges I have experienced. This makes me feel like a respected part of the team, and that my wellbeing is important. I have joined and participate in some of the many Transpower Communities and try to keep strong and meaningful relationships with my fellow graduate cohort, and new grads. Having these community connections has given me the space to talk to others that have gone through or are going through similar experiences at work, and that I can bring more of my personal self into my work life.
Any words of advice?
Putting in the hard yards for your study is important. But so is getting involved in the occasional community event or club activity, learning to support and being supported by your peers in your course when the going gets tough, and getting involved with a wider range of people than those just in your course. I found this helped keep me open to new ideas and opportunities, helped keep me going through the long hours required, and has given me a solid foundation to be able to make connections in my mahi after university.
I have found that the most important thing in choosing where to land are the people, and ensuring I’m somewhere where my values align with the company’s values. This guided me in choosing the Transpower Graduate Programme and guided me in choosing where to land after the Programme (along with the fact that I am passionate about the technical aspects of the role I chose!)