Aimee Crockatt - Business & Commercial Graduate
Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to becoming a graduate at SSE.
I studied Business Management at Abertay University and really enjoyed the variety the course offered, however, because it covered such a broad range of subjects, I found it difficult to decide exactly which career path I wanted to pursue after graduating. This uncertainty led me to explore graduate programme opportunities, as they would offer the chance for me to discover different career options.
My journey with SSE began through the Summer Placement Programme, where I spent six weeks learning about different parts of the business and gaining valuable insight into how the organisation operates. I was delighted to then secure a place on the Business & Commercial Graduate Programme, where I continued to learn and develop my career.
How did you find the recruitment process and what advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the graduate programme?
I found the recruitment process really supportive, and there was plenty of guidance throughout each stage. The process included a formal interview as well as psychometric testing. I found the testing very challenging so I spent a lot of time practicing, and that preparation definitely made me feel more confident!
My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering applying is to do your research. SSE is a huge organisation with a wide range of business units, and I don't think I fully appreciated the scale of the company until I joined. Even if you're applying for a specific graduate programme, take the time to learn about the wider business, how the different areas work together, and our purpose and values.
What made you choose SSE?
Living in Perth, where SSE is headquartered, I was already familiar with the company and its purpose. However, it wasn't until I started researching SSE ahead of my interview that I realised the scale of the projects SSE is involved in, its commitment to making electricity cleaner, more affordable and available for all, and the company's culture. That's when I knew SSE was somewhere I wanted to build my career.
Looking back over the programme, what have been your biggest learning experiences or achievements?
One of the biggest learning experiences for me was having the opportunity to move between different teams throughout the programme. I met so many new people and learned new skills, ways of working, systems and processes, which really helped me broaden my understanding of the business and allowed me to build a strong network across SSE.
Throughout the programme, people often told me how brilliant the graduate experience is, and I completely agree. Having the chance to work with different teams, build connections across the business and gain exposure to so many different areas isn't something many roles can offer.
In terms of achievements, one of my proudest moments was leading SSE's participation in Glasgow and Reading Pride. I was responsible for coordinating the planning and logistics, building relationships with external partners, organising volunteers and representing SSE at the events. It was a fantastic experience, and seeing everything come together on the day made it incredibly rewarding.
How has the graduate programme helped you develop professionally, and what are your career aspirations for the future
The graduate programme has played a huge role in my professional development, helping me become more adaptable, confident and comfortable stepping into new environments. Through different placements, I developed a wide range of skills, built relationships, and gained valuable experience working with different teams.
I recently rolled off the graduate programme into a Change & Engagement role within the Renewables Business Excellence team. As part of a cross-functional team, it's important to understand how different areas of the business operate, and the graduate programme gave me the knowledge, skills and connections to do that.
Looking ahead, I'd like to continue developing my skills in change management and employee engagement, while taking on new challenges and continuing to grow my career at SSE.
