Control and Instrumentation Engineer Review

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time at Centrica. I was based in Hedon which is just outside Hull at Centrica Storage. I worked as part of the Control and Instrumentation engineering team and was given my own little project investigating the implementation of vibration monitoring equipment at the onshore gas terminal in Easington. Having my own project gave me a sense of purpose and my team were really supportive the whole way through.

I felt that my task was not a terribly critical one for the company, but I don't think any summer intern's role is. However I felt that I was adding value to the company and creating the foundations for the installation of actual equipment so that gave me a sense of direction and motivated me to succeed. I worked as part of a team of 5 engineers so it was small and intimate enough to learn a lot during my time at the company and they were always happy to help me develop through guided tours of the onshore assets and regular meetings.

My manager delegated responsibility of me to two other members of my team - both provided constant technical advice, with one acting in more of a managerial role and the other acting as a first point of contact for any technical queries. We were based in the same officwe so they were always open to a conversation and regularly came over to where I sat to check in with my progress.

Due to having my own project my work was really what I made of it. I was able to set my own deadlines and if I had a bit longer with the company I could have progressed it further. I was still writing documentation up until my last day. The Graduate Team at Centrica put on loads of training and team building days, with the placement ending with a presentation evening in Windsor, so this combined with any office events meant my calendar was pretty full.

Having my own small project meant that I was, to some small extent, a project manager for the 9 weeks - however the project was so small that whilst everyone was always willing to assist with it, nobody was waiting with baited breath as to the result. I was free to drive between the terminal and the office when I pleased and din't feel like anyone was breathing down my neck for any of the placement.

I feel I've gained alot of technical knowledge about the process and oild & gas industries, and managing my time effectively will come in useful as I progress into my masters year next year. My presentation skills have vastly improved due to the end of placement presentation event in front of a bunch of big dogs. Also my driving improved... so there's that.

Really good atmosphere. The office in Hedon is quite small (2 floors with maybe 50 people on each floor) which gives it quite a convivial and laid back feel (I'd say a "family feel" but sounds a bit pathetic.) A teambuilding event was organised midway through the placement with all the engineering team going out to the Yorkshire Dales orienteering during the day.. followed by a night where I had so much to drink I had to take myself to bed.

The grad team gave the internship a really strong structure - with an induction day, a development day, a half-day on presentation skills and the presentation day all planned well before the placement was started. With regards to my day-to-day job, it was structured in as much as I knew what I was doing and what I had to do. I do think it depends on the team and the place however.

As I've mentioned, the presentation days and development days were really good however, living in Hull, it was a pain getting down to London for these events. Aside from the grad team events, I went on an Access course, and also went on a learning visit down to the Centrica Storage Headquarters in Staines which was a real insight into the financial and commercial side of the business.

The oil and gas industry has taken a bit of a hit in recent years with oil prices dropping and with the winter-summer spreads reducing (I don't quite know what that means but I know it underpins the revenue of Centrica Storage) it puts Storage in particular in quite rocky waters. Also, Centrica as a whole are looking to reduce their head count by several thousand so I'm not anticipating alot of job offers to be cropping up in years to come. Having said this, the grad scheme is a 4 year scheme and each year grads are placed in a different part of the business, which is an aspect I find quite appealing as I tend to get restless in a job after the year mark.

There were only two of us interns based in Hull, but we got along fine, and there were 3 other grads in the office that were all friendly. We had a couple trips to the pub and cinema and places like that, but due to the terrible accommodation we were in, we were both away most weekends.

Hull isn't particularly expensive, however going drinking down the Avenues can be quite costly. It's like anywhere though, if you go to the nicer places it's always going to cost more.

The few weekends I remained in Hull I went out with guys from work. After a horrendous first experience of going to Pozition nightclub, the other nights out were all pretty good. The old town has quite a few nice pubs all right next door to each other and for nicer bars and restaurants, the Avenues have plenty of places to go. I'm writing this review with a hangover and I can tell you that last night was pretty good as well.

The teambuilding day was good and a guy organised the Three Peaks challenge towards the start of my placement (however I didn't attend.) A few of the lads play football down at the terminal and I went along to a 5 a-side game a few weeks before I left. Having said all this, the lack of other interns did mean that there were some pretty quiet weekends.