Charon Balrey - Commercial Graduate, Transmission
I studied business studies at university and I chose a degree which allowed me to do an industrial placement, as I felt that would be a great opportunity for me to hopefully get a job after by having real work experience. I actually did my industrial placement here at National Grid and I worked in the corporate affairs department which was a real great opportunity and it suited me really well. I got to learn about the whole business in that placement and then I had the opportunity to apply to be sponsored which I was successful at and clearly wanted to come back on the graduate scheme as I saw what a great opportunity it was to learn more and be involved with the different activities that National Grid undertakes.
I feel that the National Grid graduate programme was a real good scheme for me to come onto. I think the main advantage for me, compared to other schemes that I saw, was the opportunity to move around the business, so the three different placements we get have given me the opportunity to learn and develop lots by being exposed to different areas of the business and I think that was the key for me really, is getting that real business exposure.
I think the best bits about my role at the moment is seeing how our core business works and how we deliver gas to millions of customers across the country. I've been able to look into the GNCC and get that real insight about how we operate the system on a day to day basis.
I think to be successful at National Grid it's about you taking ownership for your career and really making sure that you deliver and move forward. There are great opportunities here and obviously the graduate scheme is one of those great opportunities but then it's really down to everyone to make the most of it and to move their careers forward and I think that's one of the great attributes, here at Grid.