Tell us a bit about yourself, what programme did you join at SSE and when, what location are/were you based in?
I’m Grant Beaton, an SSE Renewables Graduate Engineer based in Glasgow having joined the company in September 2020.
What did you study at university and what university do you/did you attend/what year group?
I studied a 5-year integrated Masters in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, graduating in the summer of 2020.
Which sectors did you consider applying to for your graduate or placement role and what made you choose SSE and the area you are now working in?
I had a keen interest in renewables throughout my time at university, however it was the latter years where we moved past the purely technical analysis in class to real-world engineering issues where I found it to be the most engaging and exciting topic. To me, renewables seemed the most ethical, innovative, and secure industry to work in and SSE as a company mirrored these qualities.
How did you find the recruitment process? Do you have any advice for students considering applying for the SSE Graduate Programmes/Summer Placements?
The recruitment process was competitive which is why it’s important to prepare well for it. My main piece of advice would be to spend time practising the initial online tests before jumping into the real deal. A lot of very similar mock tests can be found easily online and scoring highly in these will ensure you make it to the next round of the process. Passed that stage you’ll be able to let your personality and passion for the renewable energy industry show in an in-person or video interview.
Tell us a bit about your current role, what you’ve learnt and what you’ve enjoyed most.
As a graduate, I have been moving around different teams within the business, which has helped me gain a more rounded knowledge of the industry. So far, I’ve worked on Hydro, Offshore and Onshore Wind projects, as well as working in the electrical engineering and risk management teams. It’s been brilliant to have gained experience working on so many of the huge projects SSE are developing only a year into my professional career.
If you are working towards a professional qualification, tell us a bit about that and the support you receive on this.
I’m currently working toward my IET chartership status. SSE has been really proactive at helping us try to achieve this by setting up a mentorship program, which pairs graduates with experienced chartered engineers within the company. With this, we can seek advice not only on aspects to do with chartership but on how best to make the most of the unique opportunities we as graduates have to move around the different business areas. It’s been great to get advice throughout about how to tailor the graduate program around my own interests and skills I’m looking to further develop.