My decision for RWE

After finishing my Master's degree in chemical engineering at TU Dortmund University, I was eager to get to know new, exciting areas and, above all, to gain professional experience. A graduate programme at such a large company as RWE was the perfect way for me to do so - because it gave me the opportunity to go to different stations and get a taste of the most diverse areas of the company. Although I was also interested in graduate programmes at other well-known large companies, it wasn't just the prospect of being able to help shape green technologies at RWE, it was the opportunity to make a difference that excited me. Rather than looking for "ready-made" candidates, RWE places much more emphasis on the potential for development and the joy of work, which ultimately convinced me and strengthened my decision to join!

My time as a graduate at RWE

On the 1st of June, I started my first working day as a graduate at RWE Technology in Process Engineering. I spent my first few months here supporting my colleagues in a wide range of small and large projects. I was able to pick up a lot during this time and gained interesting insights into a variety of technologies, project phases and tasks, I was also allowed to accompany projects outside my field of expertise. For example, my line manager at the time entrusted me with project management tasks for the design of the reception hall of the newly built Building D on the RWE Campus. The main challenge for me was to coordinate the various trades that were commissioned for the interior design. In order to ensure that all the work was carried out smoothly, I was on site every day for a total of 3 months and was then finally able to carry out the final phase of my project after 6 months.

The unique thing about the graduate programme at RWE is that you have the opportunity to work in different parts of the company. After this construction project, I worked in research and development at RWE Power and supported my colleagues on site and in engineering, especially during the planning of the pilot plant for torrefaction, i.e. the roasting of residual waste in Niederaussem. The detailed understanding of the complex technical background of this extraordinary power plant was particularly informative for me - I was able to take away a lot of knowledge and learning during this time. In general, I really enjoyed all the power plant-related projects - the graduate programme has definitely awakened an irrevocable enthusiasm for power plants in me! Although I actually fear heights, that didn't stop me from gazing at the enormous dimensions of these power plants up close, also the cooperation with the colleagues on site is always an experience for me. With planning and operation, two completely different mentalities often come together, which nevertheless have to work successfully hand in hand. I have found that I am particularly good at mediating between the different positions in conflict situations and can contribute to successful cooperation between both parties.

The accompanying programme

The realisation that this mediating role is an expression of my empathetic character is something I owe to the Talent Development Team that accompanies the programme. In several workshops, the graduates at RWE Technology were supported to identify and get to know our own personality and preferences. The training focused in particular on how to deal with challenging tasks and situations and the corresponding communication with other personality types. Furthermore, the development offer also includes regular 1-2 hour phone calls, in which we could get to know the group and its departments better through in-depth knowledge discussions. Through this accompanying programme, I was able to take a big step in my personal development. Whereas before I always had the feeling that I had to be more extroverted and tougher, through this training I have learned to accept and value myself as I actually am. Because everyone is different and may handle situations and tasks differently - you just have to find your niche where your personality and talent fits best. Since I was able to take away so much for myself through this personal development journey, I still make use of the offer from time to time even after my graduate period has ended

My time in England

The graduate programme at RWE offers all graduates the opportunity to integrate a stay abroad in different countries, since I had always wanted to go abroad, this was the perfect opportunity for me! Over a total of 3 months, I was allowed to accompany the revision of the gas and steam power plant in Staythorpe in U.K. This was a unique experience for me not only personally, but also professionally, because after dealing more with coal-fired steam power plants so far, this power plant was unusually dust-free for me. I had an incredible amount of fun getting to know the cultural differences and also the different ways of working and realising that although some things were handled differently, many things were still similar to the usual processes. However, the language, especially the different dialects, was a bit of a challenge for me at first, but without exception all the colleagues on site were very helpful when I had problems and were happy to repeat things again. I'm very grateful for this experience and wouldn't want to miss it again, because it became my very special highlight of my graduate period at RWE.

What am I doing today?

My time as a graduate at RWE Technology is over, but I stayed with the company because of my positive experience during those 18 months. Today, I work as a project engineer at RWE Technology and feel very much at home there. I can still pursue my passion for power plants - up to now I have been in charge of process engineering for gas-fired power plants, among other things. I work in interdisciplinary teams and am also responsible for coordinating interfaces within the framework of project management. In the future, I still want to learn a lot from my experienced colleagues at RWE TI and I'm already looking forward to the next few years in this versatile group.