Job Satisfaction at Transpower

I'm tasked with work that mainly supports other members of the team, but sometimes I'm given the chance to lead a job while being supported by somebody else.

It varies depending on the team and work you are involved in.

The day-to-day responsibilities vary with each placement. Some placements are really engaging and I feel I am doing meaningful work, but in others I may be given 'grad jobs', or things no one else wants to do.

I work in the 'security of supply' space, so regularly checking forecasts and working with a whole range of assumptions to ensure we have enough electricity generation to meet expected demand.

The standards are very high, so a team focuses on small amounts of a bigger process to maintain quality.

I have been given real tasks and opportunity which can truly add value to the team's work.

I am a graduate power systems engineer. My rotations typically last for 3-7 months, and the programme runs for 2 years. I have been a part of two teams so far, Power Systems Engineering in system operations, and System Planning in grid development. I perform power system analysis on the New Zealand grid and its equipment. Depending on the team, I either perform study the control systems of generator equipment, or perform load-flow analysis for various purposes. Most of these are done through Power Factory.

My day-to-day responsibilities are planned in advanced and are tailored within the work in progress of each team member.

As a graduate I have been given an excellent balance of support and responsibility. My technical and people skills have been trained with workshops and consistent opportunities for growth. Additionally, project work is prevalent, with the ability to get involved in the process from day one.