FROM WORK EXPERIENCE TO GRADUATE WITH CS ENERGY
When Olivia Leighton joined our latest intake of university graduates earlier this year, it was far from her first encounter with CS Energy.
“My stepdad is a Shift Operator Technician at Callide Power Station and has been for quite some time,” she said.
“Growing up in Biloela, I’ve been to a few family Christmas events at the power station where several of our family friends also work.”
Like many students, Olivia wasn't sure what she wanted to do after high school. Some time spent at Callide Power Station helped set her on her path.
“I really enjoyed chemistry and was leaning towards a career in agronomy, or something related to science," Olivia said.
“Then I did work experience in the chemistry lab at Callide Power Station when I was in grade 11, and they had recently received new machines in the lab and were testing them out the week I was there.
“That was when I realised I wasn’t interested in a science-based field, but the technology and innovation being used.
“I would write reports in school about drones or the innovation and automation in dairy farming, which is where I’d really say it all came together.”
Soon after graduating, Olivia moved from Biloela to Brisbane to complete a dual degree in Business and Information Technology at the University of Queensland.
“It felt like I was going out a limb pursuing a career in technology, but I haven’t looked back since,” she said.
Natural progression
When the graduate intake for 2024 was advertised, Olivia's stepdad sent her a link to about the program to see if she'd be interested in applying.
“It felt very natural," she said. "I had finished university and was looking for my first full-time job, and I’d heard CS Energy was a good company because I knew several people who worked at Callide Power Station and were very happy.
“I had an initial interview with with the head of the team I work with, and just hearing his enthusiasm about what he and his team were working on really left an impact.
“I came into the Brisbane office for a coffee not long afterwards to meet more leaders in the Customer & Growth division I now work in, and talk about projects they were working on and what they wanted to achieve over the next years.
“It was clear they were excited, and I knew this was an opportunity I wanted to get involved in.”
From university to the real world
When asked what her best experience has been to date in CS Energy’s graduate program, Olivia said there's no comparison to gaining real-world experience.
“In university, we work hard on projects for six months to a year and talk about how they could be applied in a real-life setting – but nothing compares to actually seeing it come to fruition," she said.
“For the first time I’ve been able to not only come up with ideas and build on them, but see how they’re going to work and how people will use them.
“It’s rewarding seeing a project come to life in a company setting where there are people depending on the platform to work intuitively 100 per cent of the time to help do their job."
As well as expanding on her technology skills, Olivia's business degree has helped her understand the inner workings of a company.
“I’ve found it interesting seeing how people work together from different departments and across many sites," said Olivia.
“I recently visited Callide Power Station for the first time as an employee; it was great to look at the bigger picture of how CS Energy operates and to meet new people and learn more about their jobs.
“There are so many passionate, intelligent, and welcoming people within the business willing to knowledge share.”
Exploring new areas of the business
As part of CS Energy’s graduate program, Olivia and her fellow graduates can rotate through different areas of the business every six months.
“The graduate program is a really great opportunity to get involved and to experience diverse teams and departments,” said Olivia.
“I’m enjoying the work I’m currently doing in Retail Operations and might also look to spend time with Retail Projects or Digital & Technology in the future.
“Everyone I’ve spoken to has been really supportive of trying new things and spending time with different teams.”
All graduates are also given in-person and online soft skill training over the two-year period including psychological safety, effective communication, and tips for presenting.
“If you’re looking to join a company where you can build on your professional skills, gain experience, and get involved in daily operations from the start, I’d absolutely recommend applying for CS Energy’s graduate program,” said Olivia.
“Some graduate programs are only six months and can be finished before it feels like they’ve started, while this one spans for two years and is a great amount of time to really learn about the company.”