Inside the Graduate Experience – Rotations, Mentors & Reality Checks

So, you’ve landed the grad role—what happens next?

During the Inside Industry #2 webinar hosted by API, three leading graduate program managers unpacked what life after the job offer looks like in the power sector.

Jodie Lynch (Horizon Power) shared that their program spans three years, with six rotations every six months—including a required regional placement. “The regional experience is where we see the biggest leaps in confidence and capability,” Jodie explained. From asset management and cyber security to future energy systems, Horizon’s rotations cover the breadth of WA’s evolving energy needs.

Zoe Seibold (Energy Queensland) echoed this, with a focus on core rotations in planning, design, and protection—plus a mandatory field experience. “You need to see how your design decisions actually play out on the poles and wires,” she said. Their grads receive one-on-one mentorship for the full three years.

Whitney Ottley (Transgrid) described a slightly shorter program—two years with four rotations—but with a huge range of 60+ team placement options, from network operations to commercial contracting. Transgrid grads also receive a personal mentor with a focus on career development, not just technical skills.

So what are employers looking for in this phase? Not technical perfection. All three speakers were clear: they’ll train you. What matters most is your openness to learning, your ability to communicate, and your willingness to explore unfamiliar territory.

Want to stand out? Do your research, ask great questions in your rotations, and embrace every placement—even the surprising ones. As Zoe summed up: “We don’t expect you to know everything. We’re looking for someone who’s ready to grow.”

Watch the whole webinar here: