Stream: Commercial Analyst

Studied: MEng Aerospace Engineering at Bristol University

Current Placement: Net Zero Pathways Team

About Me: Outside of work, I have a passion for sports - especially tennis and football – and love travelling, which I try to do as much as I can. I also love to spend time with my friends doing anything that London has to offer! 

Why Centrica: In my final year at university, I was already interested in the energy industry and its complexities – as well as all things data. So, combining all this, made Centrica the perfect company to apply for a graduate job and start my career. 

Current Highlight:  The great thing about my current role is that no one day looks like another. I can be creating a Net Zero Strategy for one of our clients and presenting it in a client meeting one day, or developing cost models the next, and be supporting our sales team with Net Zero proposals and financial analysis the following one. This has allowed me to collaborate with a lot of different people, which has been a great experience. 

Why Apply: I believe Centrica is a great place to start your career. Centrica is uniquely placed as a leader in the energy sector, with many different businesses doing everything from producing the energy we use at home, to storing it or selling it – all while accelerating the transition to Net Zero. 
The nature of the graduate scheme, with three different rotations in different business units makes it a unique opportunity to gain experience in different areas and learn different skills. The culture of Centrica makes it also a very attractive option for graduates. Ever since I joined, I have received all the support I’ve needed and everyone in Centrica is willing and happy to help. 

Stream: Finance

Studied: Economics at the University of Manchester

Current Placement: Financial Control, Centrica Shared Services Team

About Me: Outside of work, I enjoy going to the gym, listening to podcasts, and socialising with friends and family.

A Day in the Life: A normal day for me may involve working with third parties on next years property budgets. These may be budgets for the rent, rates and service charge of properties in Centrica’s portfolio. Or it may be the catering and facilities costs for each site which would take the length of lease, occupancy levels and use of the site into account. Checking these budgets against previous years and run rates is important to identify any anomalies. I may also work on preparing the month end reporting for property or reporting against in month variances. Other aspects of the day may include answering queries on certain costs or providing information to different stakeholders around the business and in the Property Team.

Out of the Office: The graduate scheme at Centrica is quite a large cohort and there are often people arranging different activities e.g. rounders or five a side football. There are often events arranged by HR for the whole graduate scheme and activities are also encouraged within teams. I arranged an event myself with two others on the Finance Graduate Scheme, as we organised a social in London for the summer interns, year in industries and graduates on the Finance Stream. I’m based in the Windsor office with the racecourse next door so I have also gone there after work before with my team.

Learning & Development: The Finance graduate scheme has three rotations across the three years – so you are in a different team each year. I have had incredible opportunities and support to develop my skills and the work itself has gone hand in hand with the ACA exams I have sat. I’ve been able to push myself out of my comfort zone to improve both hard and soft skills. Each rotation is with an entirely different team which is such a unique and valuable aspect of Centrica’s graduate scheme, as it means you gain such a wide range of different experiences.

Stream: Business Management, Centrica Energy

Studied: History and International Law at the University of Warwick

Current Placement: LNG Contract Manager

About Me: I love sport and I competed nationally in swimming with my best stroke being butterfly. Having now stopped swimming, I am a keen boxer and enjoy going to the gym. Outside of sport my interests include singing, gaming, and travelling. 

Studies & Skills: I studied history for my undergraduate and international law for my masters, a rare combination on a trading house’s business management stream. I have therefore been able to bring a unique perspective to my two placements so far. For example, while my law degree has helped in a more direct sense within my roles, my history degree has also been surprisingly helpful. The energy industry is inherently global and is a highly politicised space. I feel that my history degree allows me to delve deeper into these political tensions and to understand why they have occurred and how they might develop in the future.

Biggest Learning: The most important lesson I have learned since joining is that it is ok not to know everything. Coming into a company like Centrica is daunting and I was guilty when I first started of trying not to show that I didn’t understand a lot of things. However, I have realised this is ok, and embracing this is the best thing you can do. Everyone, regardless of their level, is happy to help explain things and they have a wealth of experience they will share if you are open to learning. 

Why Centrica: Aside from Centrica being a very successful and highly respected company, they give their graduates amazing development opportunities and within the team you are placed in you are treated like any other team member, not ‘just a grad’. Among other things, a couple of highlights have been that I was lucky enough to go over to Denmark twice to meet with stakeholders with my team and I spent a few days at Sandhurst for teambuilding with the other graduates. Overall, I feel like a very valued member of a community which is crucial, especially this early into my career.

Top Tip: Although it sounds really cliché, I would say be yourself. Centrica Energy have worked very hard to create a particular culture that for a trading house is very friendly and where everyone is eager to help one another out. While I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here, and always feel guilty saying so when my friends from university are talking about the string of 15-hour days they have just worked, I think I enjoy it so much because I was very open about who I am in the application process. 

Stream: DTS Software Engineering

Studied: Computer Science at Royal Holloway University

Current Placement: Programmer, Centrica Energy

About Me: I am really interested in new up-and-coming tech, following the cricket and exploring new places. My hobbies include playing pool and cycling (which I self-taught myself at the age of 23- It’s never too late)! I am also very interested in photography and carry a digital camera with me almost everywhere!

Day in the Life: I start my day off with the very first meeting of the day, our stand up, where my team briefly shares what they did the day before or any concerns they want to raise. Then, as a programmer, problems arise at any moment of the day and the rest of the day is then dedicated to solving them and creating solutions.
I have also started taking on an architectural and testing role where I get to participate in meetings, talking about current processes and how we can fix/improve them.

Why Centrica: Centrica’s graduate scheme is very well-structured. Three eight-month placements are the perfect amount of time to trial your future career. Not only do we get three opportunities to find our most suited role but also eight months to really settle into a role and get the most out of it. 
Specific to DTS, Centrica allows us to try many opportunities that are in the technology industry. We get stuck into roles consisting of AI, Big Data, Software Engineering, Web Dev, DevOps, Cloud Engineering and many more! We can also choose the business area to trial it out in such as trading, group functions or retail.

Studies & Skills: I studied Computer Science which gives a great leverage and allowed me to get accustomed to a new role quite easily, as I already have the knowledge of the fundamentals. However, the scheme caters to those who have very simple programming knowledge as well and plenty of support is given. 
I already had programming knowledge prior to starting work in industry however I found it was completely different to university, and gained so much experience in the process such as a stricter coding style, working with git in an agile environment, regular stand ups and retrospectives, scum, kanban and much more!

Stream: Process Engineering

Studied: Chemical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde

Current Placement: Process Engineer, Centrica Energy Storage + 

About Me: I enjoy playing football, golf and watching most types of sports but mainly supporting my favourite football team, Aston Villa.

Why Centrica: I applied to Centrica as the values and goals that the company has, aligned with my personal attributes. I’m really interested in the energy sector and contributing to making a difference for the future. It is such a challenging time for the industry, and I feel passionate about the choices the company was / are making. In university, I took a particular interest in Hydrogen modules, and I know this is being driven by Centrica in the energy market. I also knew that the company had a reputable graduate scheme that would provide me with the tools to develop in my career.

Why Apply: The Centrica Graduate Scheme is currently ranked 5th in the Rate My Placement Student Awards. This position reflects on the scheme as you really do get the freedom to develop and work on projects with a real interest that you will enjoy. I have gained lots of experience already in my first year and developed in a lot of key areas much quicker than expected because the scheme encourages you to go out your comfort zone and work on your development areas. The scheme offers a lot of training and qualifications that you can keep with you which will only help you progress your career in the future and be proof of the hard work you put in!

Out of the Office: I moved to Hessle in Hull for my first placement, and I didn’t really know the area or people as I have lived in Glasgow my full life, but I was welcomed into a host of activities to keep me busy after work. Each week I attended a 7-aside football game with the technical engineering team at CES+ and I also took part in a golf league, which I’m not very good at but I thoroughly enjoyed it and I got to meet new people whilst developing work relationships too!

Stream: Marketing

Studied: Politics & Chinese at Durham University

Current Placement: UX Researcher

About Me: Outside of work, I'm trying to keep up my Chinese language skills with podcasts, Duolingo, and the occasional Chinese soap opera. I also love saving up my annual leave days for big holidays and am getting into park runs.

Why Centrica: I chose to apply for the graduate scheme at Centrica because I’m really interested in the energy transition. As the biggest energy provider in the UK, I saw working at Centrica as an opportunity to be at the centre of positive change.

Day in the Life: It’s really amazing how the marketing graduate scheme lets you rotate across such a diverse range of roles. I'm currently working as a UX researcher, which is a product design role. I'm working across our Net Zero and Services business functions, and I conduct research with customers and members of the public to see if our products are usable and meet their needs. I love how my current role is all about bringing a human element to product design. Talking to the people who will be using our products and turning insights into practical recommendations is really nice, especially when they make the user experience more inclusive.

The Culture:  Centrica is a friendly and welcoming company where everyone is invested in your development. There’s lots of exposure to senior parts of the business and opportunities to develop new skills in a supportive environment.

Proudest Moment: My proudest moment so far was coming to the end of a placement and hearing from my team how much of an impact I had. It was great realising I had added value.

Stream: People

Studied: Law, The University of Law

Current Placement: Employee Relations

About Me: In my spare time I enjoy baking, hiking, and spending time with family and friends.

Our Culture: Centrica’s culture is centred around a purpose driven and value-based approach. They are committed to energising a greener, faire future for colleagues, customers, and communities. The work environment is one that is inclusive where every colleague is valued and can be themselves at work. Centrica is dedicated to empowering colleagues with future skills and building a more inclusive workforce to reflect the diversity of societies they serve. When thinking about the culture at Centrica three words come to mind: respect, flexibility, and inclusion. 

Top Tips: I would say research the company and understand Centrica’s role in the energy sector and its commitment to sustainability. Think about how your personal values and career aspirations align with the Centrica’s mission and culture. Finally, enjoy the application process and be yourself. Whilst the process is aimed at assessing whether you are a good fit for the role, it’s equally important for you to assess whether Centrica is a good fit for you. 

What does energising a greener fairer future mean to you in your role?
Energising a greener fairer future is not just a slogan, it is embedded in everything that we do and guides our actions. For me it means actively contributing to the creation of a sustainable and equitable workplace. In my previous placement as a people generalist for CES+ I have seen how integral our vision is in my day to day through work on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). In my current role as an employee relations manager, I see how this plays out in our policies and procedure where equity is at the heart of everything we do.

What is your proudest moment since working at the company?
In my first placement in CES+ I led on our DE&I strategy where I completed an inclusive workplace audit on all 3 CES+ locations. This opportunity allowed me to make a real tangible difference whilst working on something I am incredibly passionate about. Another highlight was my offshore training which is a sea survival weeklong training course that all colleagues need to complete before going Offshore. 

Stream: Business Management

Studied: International Business and Strategic Management at the University of York

Current Placement: Fleet Account Manager

Why Centrica: I applied to the Business Management stream as it offered a robust training program and career progression paths. I was intrigued by being placed in a fast-paced role and managing a team within the front line of a leading energy company. As someone coming straight out of university it seemed demanding and challenging which I thought was an excellent opportunity to embark upon for the long run of my career development. 

Why Apply: Centrica’s graduate scheme offers diverse career paths, structured development, and strong support in a reputable company. Graduates benefit from clear career progression, excellent networking opportunities and exposure to innovative and sustainable projects. Coming straight out of university Centrica provides a robust start in the energy sector and a solid foundation for personal and professional development. 

Top Tip: I would say be yourself and let that personality shine. Make sure to do your research and understand the core values. Be clear on why Centrica and why the graduate scheme. Make the most it, be switched on and ask questions. Nerves are normal, everyone is going through the same process so just crack on and learn from the experience.  

Our Culture: Centrica is people orientated, inclusive and an innovative business. Rooted in emphasising sustainability, reducing carbon emissions, and promoting renewable energy for a greener fairer future. The culture is dynamic which aims for business success while positively impacting people, society, and environment. 

Learning & Development: The business encourages a culture of continuous improvement and innovation which I found rather motivating as a fresh graduate keen to acquire new skills and knowledge.  Since the start of the graduate scheme, I have been involved in training programs, workshops, and development days. Few months ago, I was enrolled onto a project management apprenticeship which is an excellent opportunity to drive my own career path. 

Stream: DTS Software Engineering

Studied: AI and Computer Science from the University of Sheffield

Current Placement: Renewable Energy Trading & Optimisation

About Me: I am originally from Moscow, but when I was 13 we moved to the UK to the charming Roman city – Bath. In my free time, I enjoy doing pilates and yoga, which I try to balance out with an occasional night out.

Our Culture: I joined the Graduate Scheme at Centrica because I had such a great time during my summer internship. The culture here is what really convinced me to stay as everyone is so open and honest, which makes a huge difference. You always know what's going on and it feels like you can talk to anyone about anything regardless of their position in the company.

The support you get is amazing too. Whenever I’ve needed help or guidance, there’s always been someone to help me out. I’ve met some fantastic people here and the friendships and connections I’ve made have been a big part of why I enjoy coming to work. When I’m in the office, I make it a point to catch up with friends from other teams over coffee. It’s a nice break and a chance to stay connected with the wider team. Also, if it’s Thursday, there’s a pretty good chance we’ll all end up at the pub.

Why Apply: The support you receive here is incredible. If you’re willing to put in the effort, there are people ready to help you out and guide you along the way. I’ve never felt that I couldn’t make mistakes which makes it so much easier to learn.
There are also lots of opportunities for you to progress. Centrica’s culture is all about pushing you forward and helping you reach your full potential. They invest in your growth and there are mentorships and many learning platforms for you to use.

Top Tip: One of the coolest things about this scheme is the fact that you do three rotations. If you’re not sure what you want to specialise in yet, this is perfect. You get to try out different areas of the business and see what you like and don’t like, so it’s a great way to tailor your experience and figure out where you want to go with your career. I think it's an amazing opportunity to test yourself in different ways, learn new things, and expand your network. So, go for it! Keep an open mind, be eager to learn and take advantage of all the opportunities that come your way.

Biggest Lesson: You don’t have to know everything right now and it’s totally okay to be unsure about your exact career path. As long as you’re willing to learn, you’ll figure it out along the way and you won’t have to do it alone. I never thought I’d end up in the current placement I’m in now until this opportunity showed up. With each month I am learning new things that open up new perspectives for me.