From curiosity to confidence: My EDF industrial placement journey

Based in our Doxford office, Zorah joined EDF on a year-long Retail Industrial Placement. Here, she reflects on the opportunities, connections and experiences that have helped shape her understanding of the energy industry and her future career.

When I was considering where to complete my industrial placement, I wanted to work in an industry that has a real impact on people's lives. My interest in energy grew during sixth form when I learned about the importance of energy security. It made me realise just how vital self-sufficiency and sustainable energy sources are for the future.

What attracted me to EDF was its commitment to low-carbon energy and empowering customers to make more sustainable choices. I was excited by the opportunity to contribute to an organisation working at the heart of the energy transition while gaining experience in a sector that’s constantly evolving.

One of the biggest reasons I chose EDF's Industrial Placement programme was the opportunity to experience the wider business, not just one team or department. Through different rotations, I've been able to build a broad understanding of how the company operates, connect with colleagues across the organisation, and gain insight into a variety of career paths. Being able to contribute to the goals and decisions of such a well-known organisation has been incredibly rewarding and has helped me develop confidence far beyond what I expected.

I've always approached my career with an open mind and a willingness to take on new challenges. At this stage of my career, I think it's important to explore different opportunities and discover what motivates you. Being adaptable has allowed me to push myself outside my comfort zone, experience new ways of working, and learn from a wide range of people across the business.

I've found that some of the most valuable learning happens when you're trying something new. Whether taking on a project, working with a new team or speaking with people about their career journeys, every experience has helped me grow. I've also discovered that challenges can be a great way to build relationships. Whenever I've stepped into something unfamiliar, I've always felt supported, which has made it easier to learn and develop.

The environment at EDF has played a huge role in my experience. From the beginning, I've felt comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and learning from those around me. The culture encourages curiosity, and people are genuinely willing to help each other succeed.

For me, success on the Industrial Placement programme is closely linked to confidence. Professionally, I wanted to build connections, gain a clearer understanding of the roles available after graduation and create opportunities to learn as much as possible. As the year has progressed, I've realised that confidence has been the key to making the most of those opportunities.

As my confidence has grown, I've become more comfortable questioning decisions, contributing ideas and putting myself forward for new experiences. I've also learned that making mistakes is an important part of learning. Developing the confidence to learn from setbacks while continuing to move forward has been one of the most valuable lessons of my placement.

Personally, the experience has helped me better understand my own strengths, values and interests. It's given me a much clearer picture of the type of work I enjoy and the impact I want to have in my future career.

EDF has provided plenty of opportunities to support my development along the way. Employee Networks have been a fantastic way to connect with colleagues outside my immediate team and take on additional responsibilities. Through these networks, I've had opportunities to travel to different locations, meet colleagues from across the business and speak with senior leaders about their experiences and career journeys.

I've also been fortunate to have managers who actively support my development. They're always happy to suggest learning opportunities, encourage me to explore new areas and help me build skills that will benefit me in the future.

Interestingly, my definition of success has evolved throughout the year. When I first joined, I saw success as simply gaining as much experience as possible. Over time, I've learned that success is also about focusing on quality over quantity. Rather than trying to do everything, I've found value in dedicating time to specific projects, developing deeper expertise and gaining a stronger understanding of how things work.

One of my favourite things about the programme is how connected it is. I've had the opportunity to build relationships not only with other industrial placement students, but also with colleagues from different parts of the business, including the nuclear side of EDF. It's a great way to explore the industry, understand the range of careers available and develop a professional network early in your career.

What stands out most is how approachable everyone is. If you're interested in learning more about someone's role or experience, it's easy to reach out and start a conversation. People are incredibly generous with their time and always willing to share advice.

Looking back on the year so far, the thing I'm most proud of is how much my confidence has grown. When I first started, I was fairly quiet because I felt like everyone around me knew far more than I did. However, the inclusive and supportive environment at EDF encouraged me to speak up, ask questions and share my ideas.

Through that experience, I've learned that everyone brings different strengths and perspectives to the table. Recognising my own strengths and understanding the value of my contributions has given me far more confidence in my abilities. Knowing that my ideas have been listened to and considered has reinforced the importance of speaking up and getting involved.

It's a lesson I'll carry forward into both my final year at university and my future career. For me, the biggest achievement of my placement hasn't just been the experience I've gained, but the confidence I've developed along the way.