In this interview Anne Schieck, Principal at RWE Consulting, shares some fascinating insights into her career and her experience in in-house consulting for the energy industry. She talks about challenges, the benefits of a career with RWE Consulting, and offers valuable tips for those just starting out in the profession.

Anne, tell us about how you came to work in in-house consulting in the energy industry. What motivated you to follow this career path?

Joining in-house consulting was a conscious decision which channelled my enthusiasm for wide-ranging and challenging issues. I was still studying when I decided to take on several extra subjects in order to broaden my knowledge. The dynamics and constant change within the energy industry fascinated me from the outset. In-house consulting not only enables me to work on projects but also to experience the results first-hand. This direct connection between strategy and implementation is what makes my work particularly satisfying.

As a woman, do you face any particular challenges in the consulting sector, especially in in-house consulting within a major corporation?

Absolutely. Male-dominated structures can still be found both in the consulting sector and in the energy industry as a whole. I’ve often experienced situations where male customers in technical fields, in particular, have questioned my technical knowledge. You need a combination of patience and self-confidence in situations like that. It’s vital not to let yourself be discouraged, and to adopt a clear, professional position. Many barriers can be overcome with humour and open communication. What’s important in the end is to build up confidence with a combination of industry knowledge and commitment, and to show that women can be just as skilful as their male colleagues.

You’re a Principal at RWE Consulting and a parent to two young children. Does the company offer you and your colleagues who are parents enough opportunities to maintain a balance between professional and family commitments?

It goes without saying that balancing work and family isn’t always easy, especially with young children. But one thing I appreciate about RWE Consulting is the high level of flexibility that enables me to structure my own working hours. The company supports us in many different ways. For example, many of my colleagues make use of the company daycare centre, which makes childcare a lot easier. There’s also support with looking for domestic help or babysitters, and our hybrid working model means we can do some of our work from home. This combination of trust and actual services helps us to combine our professional and family obligations in a way that works.

What entry opportunities are there for graduates at RWE Consulting? What makes these starting positions particularly attractive compared to other industries or consulting areas?

Graduates can either start working with us directly as management consultants or complete an internship as a visiting consultant. One aspect that has a special appeal is being directly integrated into project teams and assuming responsibility from Day One. Right from the start, our new colleagues take an active part in important projects that contribute to the energy transition. We also consider it very important to have an open, supporting corporate culture, in which shared activities such as fun team or sports events build cohesion and ensure that starting a job with us involves plenty of variety. On top of that, there’s an attractive overall package with flexible working hours, extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive working environment. All of these aspects put us head and shoulders above all other industries and consulting areas.

What specific knowledge and skills do you believe are vital for a successful career in in-house consulting in the energy industry?

Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving are essential for success in in-house consulting. Communication skills also play an important part, since you often have to convey complex issues in a way that people can follow easily. A background in the energy industry is helpful, but not essential, since we offer comprehensive training courses and on-the-job training. What’s more important is a genuine interest in the industry and being open to ongoing professional development.

How would you describe the corporate culture in your area, especially with regard to diversity?

The defining features of our corporate culture are openness and fairness. Our team is becoming more and more international, the representation of women is rising steadily, and our consultants come from a range of different specialisations. This underlines our commitment to an inclusive working environment. Diversity is a key focus for us, and we consider it very important to ensure equal opportunities in terms of pay and promotion. These values are firmly anchored in our culture and help to ensure a fair and pleasant working environment.

One last question to round off our interview, Anne. To what extent does your work as in-house consultants at RWE specifically contribute to the energy transition?

The energy transition is one of the key themes of our age and will play a significant role in shaping our actions in the years to come. As the in-house consulting team, we have the opportunity to make a direct contribution by supporting projects that help to achieve climate targets. Our focus is on working with the relevant departments within the RWE Group to develop innovative and sustainable solutions that promote the use of renewables. That makes our work meaningful and effective.