Developing confidence, resilience and data skills on my EDF Industrial Placement

Mariame joined EDF’s 2025 Industrial Placement programme as a Commercial Data Analyst based at our Hove site. Mariame shares how she has benefited from the opportunity.

When I was exploring industrial placement opportunities, I wanted to work in an industry that is shaping the future. The energy sector stood out because of its central role in the transition to low-carbon solutions and the growing focus on sustainability. It is an industry experiencing significant change, and I was excited by the opportunity to gain experience in a fast-paced environment that aligned closely with my degree.

EDF's Industrial Placement programme offered exactly that. What particularly appealed to me was the opportunity to gain exposure to different areas of the business and build a broad understanding of how a large organisation operates. The rotation experience has been especially valuable, allowing me to explore different functions and develop a much wider perspective of the business.

Since joining EDF, I've approached every opportunity with an open mind. I'm naturally curious and enjoy learning from others, so I made the most of every chance to gain experience across different teams. During my placement, I've had the opportunity to shadow specialists across nine different areas, helping me build a strong understanding of both the Small Business Retail side of the business and, more recently, Commercial and Performance.

Working with so many different teams has challenged me to adapt quickly, take on new responsibilities and learn new ways of working. It's also helped me build confidence, particularly when handling complex customer queries and working with people from different parts of the business. By actively seeking feedback and being open to learning, I've been able to accelerate my development, especially in areas such as resilience, communication and relationship building.

For me, success on the Industrial Placement programme is about more than simply gaining experience. Professionally, it means developing the skills, confidence and knowledge needed to make a meaningful contribution to the teams I work with. It also means gaining exposure to different parts of the organisation, strengthening my analytical capabilities and understanding how my work supports EDF's wider goals.

Personally, success is about growth. It's about stepping outside my comfort zone, becoming more resilient and reflecting on how much I've developed over the course of the year. Building strong professional relationships and feeling supported throughout the experience have been just as important as the technical skills I've gained.

One of the things that has made the biggest difference during my placement is the support I've received from colleagues. Regular check-ins, guidance from my managers and the willingness of people across the business to share their knowledge have created an environment where I've felt encouraged to learn and develop. Having the opportunity to shadow specialists, alongside support from an encouraging team leader and career manager, helped me build confidence quickly and explore areas that genuinely interest me.

My favourite thing about the programme is undoubtedly the people. Everyone has been incredibly supportive and generous with their time and expertise. I've enjoyed meeting new teams, experiencing different parts of the business and challenging myself to try things that initially felt outside my comfort zone. Being part of the Industrial Placement community has also been a highlight, creating opportunities to connect with other placement students through events, visits and shared experiences.

Looking back, the most valuable skill I've developed over the placement is resilience. Whether handling complex customer requests or transitioning into a new team, I've learned how to adapt, stay positive and continue growing through new experiences. Alongside this, I've strengthened my communication skills and developed valuable technical expertise, including using Tableau, creating data visualisations and dashboards, and advancing my Excel and analytical capabilities.

The experience has given me a stronger understanding of both the energy industry and my own strengths. Most importantly, it has helped me grow in confidence and prepared me for the next stage of my career, with new skills, valuable connections and a much clearer sense of what's possible.