Jeremy's Graduate Story: Learning, Growth and Opportunity

From studying economics and sustainable development to building a career in electricity networks, Jeremy Maweru shares how the SSE Graduate Programme helped him turn his passion for the energy sector into a rewarding career. He reflects on the recruitment process, the variety of experiences gained through his rotations, and the advice he'd give to anyone considering applying.

During my master's, I was first exposed in depth to the renewable electricity sector and the complexities of the global policies that support and influence it. That's when my interest in the industry really took off. As I researched the sector in the UK, I came across companies like SSE, which eventually led me to join the Commercial Graduate Programme in the Distribution business.

How did you find the recruitment process and what advice would you give to someone thinking about applying for the graduate programme?

The recruitment process was straightforward and well supported by the Graduate and Early Careers team. Communication was excellent, and there was always someone I could reach out to if I had any questions or concerns throughout the process.

It started with an on demand video interview, with three or four questions about myself and some competency based questions. This was followed by a short call with HR before I was invited to attend a graduate assessment centre and interview with senior managers at my chosen base location. The Graduate team also arranged a call before the assessment centre to explain how the day would run and answer any questions we had, which I found really useful.

My interviewers were kind and supportive, which made the more challenging questions much easier to handle as the interview felt more like a conversation than an interrogation.

If you're thinking about applying, I'd recommend reading the company's Annual Report before your interview, as well as keeping up to date with any recent company news. I found this really helpful in understanding the company's direction, priorities and major projects. If you have the opportunity, I'd also recommend connecting with current SSE employees on LinkedIn or social media for a chat about the company or the role. The more you know, the more confident you'll feel.

Which sectors did you consider applying to for your graduate role? What made you choose SSE?

After applying for a wide range of roles following my undergraduate degree, I decided to take a more focused approach based on my interests and academic background. I concentrated on opportunities within the electricity sector, as well as industries that support or work closely alongside it.

I applied to organisations involved in electricity generation, transmission and distribution, as well as infrastructure, energy finance and consulting.

I was very grateful to receive an offer from SSE, and ultimately chose the company because of its scale and the breadth of opportunities available. I was excited by the chance to learn across a diverse portfolio of businesses and work with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

I was also impressed by SSE's strong commitment to creating a safe, diverse and inclusive workplace, alongside its focus on ethics and doing the right thing. After two years with the company, I can honestly say those commitments are reflected in everyday working life.

Looking back over the programme, what have been your biggest learning experiences or achievements?

With rotations every six months, I had the opportunity to learn so much, from financial and scheduling reporting to stakeholder engagement and project management. No two rotations were the same, and the variety of experiences has significantly deepened my understanding of how electricity networks operate.

One of the things I value most about the graduate programme is that it gives you the flexibility to develop at your own pace. Whether you prefer learning by supporting experienced colleagues or taking the lead on projects, there are opportunities to do both.

One of my proudest achievements was leading an initiative within Large Capital Delivery to reduce executive level complaints relating to connections projects. The project required collaboration across multiple stakeholders and gave me valuable experience in driving process improvements and delivering better outcomes for customers.

I also designed and delivered training for project managers on a legacy system, helping improve consistency and knowledge sharing across the department.

How has the graduate programme helped you develop professionally, and what are your career aspirations for the future?

The programme has strengthened my confidence in stakeholder engagement, developed my commercial understanding of electricity networks and given me opportunities to take ownership of projects. Working across different teams and seeing the business from so many perspectives has been incredibly valuable and has put me in a unique position as I progress my career.

The programme has also developed my adaptability and resilience. Moving into a new team every six months and delivering results in each role teaches you to be agile, which is an important skill in any career.

As I complete the graduate programme and move into my permanent role as a Project Manager within the Smart Operations Team, I'm excited to put everything I've learned into practice and hopefully make a lasting impact.

Looking ahead, I hope to continue building my career in the commercial and strategic areas of the electricity sector, helping shape decisions that support network growth and make electricity clean, affordable and available for all. I have no doubt that the graduate programme at SSE has helped me take a significant step towards achieving those ambitions.