"SSE’s IT graduate scheme jumped out from the rest as it gave me the opportunity to explore my options as an IT graduate, before committing myself to a specific job role."
Tell us a bit about yourself, which university and degree discipline you studied. When did you join SSE?
I studied BSc Business Information Technology in the [not so] sunny south of England at Bournemouth University, which included the opportunity for a year’s placement in industry. I graduated in June 2017 and started on the graduate program at SSE in September 2017.
Which sectors did you consider applying to for your graduate role and what made you choose SSE and the area you are now working in?
Completing a degree in Business Information Technology allowed me to consider a range of different sectors, completing my placement year in the automotive industry at Rolls-Royce Motorcars allowed me to gain experience working for a large company. The buzz from organised chaos of multiple departments working together solidified my goal of working for a large organisation and opened my eyes to opportunities that are available in organisations not considered as traditional IT.
SSE’s IT graduate scheme jumped out from the rest as it gave me the opportunity to explore my options as an IT graduate, before committing myself to a specific job role. Rotating to different parts of the business and trialling job roles has allowed me to understand my strengths and weaknesses, network with business stakeholders, and really challenge myself, but most importantly realise where my passion within IT lies.
What are you enjoying in your role?
I am currently working as an IT Business Partner within SSE Enterprise, I have been in this placement for 3 months and I have been exposed to a wide variety of IT and business challenges. Each of which allowing me to pull from different areas of my studies and my own professional experiences.
My current role as an IT Business Partner allows me to come into work each day and experience a different challenge, whether that be rolling out 100’s of tablets to Rail workers or implementing software for our Power station in Slough. Each day brings a new exciting challenge and allows me to build on my project experience, communication skills, and, of course, the art of JFDI.
What are you most looking forward to?
SSE IT are always looking for fresh ideas, new technologies, or smarter ways of doings things to help shape the future and create a modern IT working environment.
I am most looking forward to finishing the graduate scheme and starting a role where I can use my experience from University, my placement year, and my time on the SSE graduate scheme to make an impact within IT and the wider business.
How did you find the recruitment process? Do you have any advice for students considering applying for the SSE Graduate Programmes
There are several stages to the recruitment process; Application form, Online tests, Video interview, and finally Assessment centre. At each stage I was given plenty of time to complete them allowing me to schedule around my university studies.
My advice for students considering applying for the IT graduate scheme would be to:
- Work with your careers service at your university; especially for your CV!
- Research SSE thoroughly, especially the values SSE stands for and relate those back to experiences and work you have completed. Expand your research further than the SSE website, there are lots of opportunities in the energy industry and having sight on these is important to understanding SSE.
- Practice, Practice, Practice! The video interview can be daunting, but this is your opportunity to stand out above everyone else.
- Say hello at the numerous university career fairs we attend, networking events hosted at Reading, or ask questions at Graduates@sse.com.