Four Weeks with SSE's Career Ready Programme: An Experience I'll Never Forget
Through our Career Ready internship programme, Rubi Pickard spent four weeks gaining first-hand experience of working for SSE. Here, she reflects on what she learned, the confidence she gained, and why she'd encourage others to make the most of the opportunity.
When I started my four-week Career Ready internship with SSE, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. Working in a professional environment felt like a big step, but looking back now, it has been a brilliant experience that has taught me a lot about the workplace, about SSE, and about myself.
One of the highlights of my internship was getting a better understanding of what my mentor does every day and how their work contributes to the wider company. It was really interesting to see how different roles fit together and help SSE operate successfully.
I also enjoyed learning about the history of the company. Before starting my internship, I didn't realise just how much history there was behind SSE or how important its work has been over the years.
Growing in confidence
Throughout my time on the Career Ready internship, I gained much more than just knowledge about the business. One of the biggest things I learned was how to be more independent.
At the beginning, I often looked to others for reassurance before making decisions. As the internship went on, I became more confident in trusting myself, taking responsibility for my work, and making decisions on my own.
Something that genuinely surprised me about working in a professional environment was the level of trust people are given. I expected there to be much more supervision, but instead I found that people are trusted to get on with their work and manage their responsibilities. That independence was something I really appreciated, and it helped me grow in confidence.
I also felt comfortable expressing my thoughts and ideas without worrying about being judged. Everyone I worked with was supportive and encouraging, which made it much easier to contribute and share my opinions.
Making the most of every opportunity
If I could give one piece of advice to anyone considering a Career Ready internship, it would be this: give it 100%.
The more effort you put in, the more you'll get out of the experience. At the same time, remember to enjoy it. Four weeks goes by very quickly, so make the most of every opportunity, ask questions, and get involved wherever you can.
Looking back
If I had to sum up my internship in just three words, they would be: interesting, exciting and informative.
Every day brought something different, whether it was learning about the company's history, understanding how different teams work, or taking on new activities and challenges. It has been a rewarding experience that has helped me develop new skills, grow in confidence, and gain valuable insight into the world of work.
I'm really grateful to everyone at SSE who made me feel welcome and supported throughout my internship. It's an experience I'll remember for a long time, and one that has given me a much clearer idea of what working life can be like.
