What's your job about?

Powerco is New Zealand’s largest electrical distributor by area and second-largest gas distributor, located in the North Island. The graduate program involves rotating onto different teams every 3 to 6 months to experience different aspects of the energy distribution sector and learn how each team works.

I am currently on the Network Development team. This team is made up of planning engineers who do work in assigned regions and take a holistic look at the network: future improvements, regional growth, new industrial connections, new technology and generation (such as solar or wind), or new substations, ageing assets, and maintenance. This role includes a lot of budget planning over many years.

I did a large project on this team where myself and another graduate investigated and created proposals for two new substations in one region. This involved looking at network performance, future growth in the area, any back-up issues when faults occur, renewals coming up for the area, and any decarbonisation options. These investigations informed where the substation would be best served. Then the main task was to simulate how the substations will improve performance issues in the area. We used a software program to run power-flow and back-feed investigations on Powerco’s network, which also showed the geographical location of assets. The proposal is currently with the Property Team to find land near the proposed locations, then we will move to investment options and begin the budget planning process.

What's your background?

I grew up in Oregon, USA. I moved to New Zealand to study at the University of Canterbury after high school, studying Classics and Anthropology. After university, I became an At-Sea Fisheries Observer for MPI (now MFisheries). That role involved biological sampling and independent catch-assessment of various types of fishing vessels.

I decided to go into a trade after purchasing a house and began an electrical apprenticeship in 2018. I did mostly commercial and residential work. I really fell in love with electrical work; it’s incredibly satisfying wiring large buildings or fault-finding, but I was in a small town and could see there weren’t a lot of options for growth.

After I became qualified, I began studying for the Diploma. I wasn’t 100% sure what I wanted to do with it but figured it would bring me a lot more opportunities as an already qualified electrician. I did a power systems paper during the diploma which I enjoyed so I applied for the Powerco graduate program after a recommendation from a teacher. I started in February 2024 after graduating in 2023.

Could someone with a different background do your job?

Definitely. A technical background can be important, but many aspects are learned on the job as they are industry specific. Having any kind of electrical background knowledge would help, including field work, but many transferable skills gained from other types of degrees or work experience, such as problem solving, collaboration, computer familiarity; these are all big drivers to success. It’s an interesting field, which helps!

What's the coolest thing about your job?

I personally enjoy the work that encompasses resiliency, fault investigations and future planning, and how that helps customers. It’s refreshing being part of a company that actively engages with the communities they serve. It can be easy to be cynical about corporate outreach, but understanding customer needs and climate effects genuinely shapes how we trial and implement technology and plan our network.

There is also a cat named Harry.

What are the limitations of your job?

Coming from a practical background, I do miss being in the field sometimes and working on physical things. Sometimes it feels like I’m doing a lot of work but because it’s all behind a screen or will happen in the next financial year (if not longer), it can feel less tangible. I think there are roles and projects that will get you out and about, but not many where you are doing the work yourself, such as testing or installation of the product you may have helped design.

3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student...

1. Embrace the university experience: get uncomfortable, pick up a bunch of recreational activities, see what sticks.
2. Stay hungry for knowledge - any kind. If you study STEM, pick up a humanities paper, learn a language, try finance or law. Ask for reading lists from lecturers or other students.
3. Don’t be afraid to quit or fail at something. Reflect on any issues, learn from it, and move on.