Graduate Data Scientist Review

On a day-to-day basis my role involves sourcing, processing, analysing and visualising data. This is done using a variety of languages and tools such as SQL, Python, Power BI, Azure DevOps and more. There is a lot of work surrounding migrating current processes and databases to the cloud, so deploying pipelines in Azure and setting up DataLakes are key points I'm working towards. There is a significant amount of stakeholder engagement, both internally and externally within the energy industry too.

I had extremely limited knowledge of Power BI when I entered the role, but have quite quickly developed quite an advanced knowledge of the software and applying it to complex scenarios due to the nature of the role. Furthermore, my knowledge of Azure DevOps was limited when joining the role, but I now feel confident working with it, and deploying models through pipelines and working in a cloud environment, which is a very useful skill to have.

Through both the Industrial Placement scheme and currently on the Graduate scheme, NESO have given me significant responsibility and put a lot of trust in me. This is a very rewarding feeling in this stage of my career and has been paramount to a lot of my development, particularly surrounding confidence. Two examples of responsibilities given are being a project lead managing and working with external customers, and being given freedom to develop and replace existing tools, to better streamline and automate regular processes.

On both placements I had a placement manager who sat within my team (usually the manager of that team) who was directly responsible for giving me work and assessing progress, and then a Talent Coordinator (usually external to the team), who's role is to ensure personal development and progress is being made, and tends to act as a line manager. Further to this I was assigned a buddy, who is there for more informal and pastoral advice. And finally, in every team I've been in I have received significant support from those in the team too, it has always been a friendly and welcoming atmosphere.

There is a very strong sense of belonging at NESO, I always feel like the work that I do matters and that my role is important in the delivery of strategic objectives and aligns with the values of the company. There is a great culture that emphasises work/life balance, with a relaxed approach to hybrid working and a freedom to use time to attend doctors appointments etc, without the need to worry about making up time. There is always a great atmosphere in the office, and I am yet to work with someone that I don't have a great working relationship with.

I cannot speak highly enough of the Early Careers opportunities at NESO. For all the reasons previously mentioned it is a great place to work and the schemes are very well designed. I never feel dread on a Sunday that I'm going back to work, each week brings me a new challenge that I look forward to solving, and I feel the scheme has developed me significantly and opened a lot of doors for me, with opportunities to second to an external business being extremely valuable.

Yes

Worry less about the technical skills related to the job you are applying for, you will either have them already, or develop them rapidly on the job. Focus on your strengths and how you can bring them to NESO, and ensure you have foundational energy industry knowledge and how the System Operator fits into that.