Power Up Summit 2026: Three Days of Learning, Leadership and Career Inspiration
- Stephanie Somerville
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
More than just a webinar series, the API Power Up Summit 2026 brought together students, graduates and industry professionals to explore what it takes to build a successful career in Australia's power sector.
Across three engaging sessions, students gained practical insights into how the power system operates, how to prepare for industry opportunities, and how to develop the leadership skills needed for a long and rewarding career.
Here's a recap of each day.
Day 1: Power Sector 101
The Summit opened by helping students understand the foundations of Australia's electricity industry and the many career pathways available across the sector.
Claire Greenwood from AEMO introduced students to the National Electricity Market (NEM), explaining how electricity is generated, dispatched and managed every five minutes to ensure Australians have access to reliable power. Students also learned about the wide range of free learning resources available through AEMO and why understanding the energy system gives graduates a significant advantage when entering the workforce.
The second session featured API alumni who demonstrated that there is no single pathway into the power industry. Their stories highlighted the value of remaining curious, embracing unexpected opportunities and being open to careers that many students may not have considered when they first started university.
Speaker highlights
"We find that a lot of people wait until they're working before they start training. I'd really recommend doing it while you're an undergraduate because it gives you context, confidence and examples you can use in interviews." Clare Greenwood, AEMO
"The power industry has so many different pathways. Stay curious, say yes to opportunities and don't be afraid if your career doesn't look exactly how you first imagined it." API Alumni Panel
Top five takeaways
Understanding how the National Electricity Market operates helps students better understand Australia's energy transition.
Completing industry training before graduating can provide a competitive advantage during recruitment.
Australia's power sector offers diverse career opportunities well beyond traditional engineering roles.
Career journeys are rarely linear and often evolve through unexpected opportunities.
Building industry knowledge early helps students have more meaningful conversations during placements and interviews.
Day 2: Getting Ready for Opportunity
Day Two shifted focus from understanding the industry to preparing for it.
Hayley Credaro from the Australian Power Institute introduced students to the many opportunities available through the Power Up community, including scholarships, conferences, networking events, placements, mentoring and the Power Pipeline.
Students then heard from Caleb Rodgers, who shared his experience transitioning from university into a vacation placement at SA Power Networks. His honest reflections reassured students that feeling nervous is completely normal and that asking questions, building relationships and being willing to learn are what employers value most.
The session concluded with a student discussion on choosing university subjects and projects, encouraging students to select topics that genuinely interest them while remaining open to opportunities that develop practical skills.
Speaker highlights
"Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions. The more you ask, the more you learn, the more you grow." Hayley Credaro, Australian Power Institute
"Having a strong LinkedIn profile and building genuine industry connections can make a real difference when opportunities arise." Hayley Credaro
"You're not expected to know everything during your placement. People want to see that you're willing to learn." Caleb Rodgers, SA Power Networks
Top five takeaways
Make the most of every API opportunity, including webinars, conferences, scholarships and networking events.
Build and maintain a professional LinkedIn profile that reflects your experiences and interests.
Follow up after meeting industry professionals and don't hesitate to ask thoughtful questions.
Vacation placements are learning experiences, not tests of what you already know.
Choose university subjects and projects that genuinely interest you while helping develop practical skills for industry.
Day 3: From Student to Professional
The final day focused on developing the mindset and behaviours that support long-term career success.
Andriana (Andy) Babich from Endeavour Energy delivered an inspiring presentation on personal leadership, explaining that leadership is not defined by job titles but by initiative, resilience and the willingness to influence positive change.
Drawing on experiences from both her engineering career and leadership roles outside of work, Andy encouraged students to build confidence by stepping outside their comfort zone, saying "yes" to new opportunities and learning through experience.
Students also heard about the value of attending technical conferences and becoming involved with professional organisations such as EESA and CIGRE. Speakers reinforced that learning doesn't stop after graduation and that professional networks become increasingly valuable throughout a career.
Speaker highlights
"The worst they can say is they're not interested." Andriana Babich, Endeavour Energy
"You've already shown resilience by getting this far in your engineering degree. Take that same resilience into your career." Andriana Babich
"Leadership isn't about having a title. It's about taking initiative and influencing positive change." Andriana Babich
Top five takeaways
Leadership begins long before you become a manager.
Build resilience by embracing challenges and learning from every experience.
Say "yes" to new opportunities, even when they feel outside your comfort zone.
Professional organisations, conferences and networking continue to support career growth after university.
Communication, curiosity and continuous learning are just as important as technical capability.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Power Up Summit reinforced that building a successful career in the power sector involves much more than earning a degree. It requires curiosity, continuous learning, strong professional relationships and the confidence to seize opportunities as they arise.
A huge thank you to all of our speakers who generously shared their knowledge and experiences, and to every student who joined us over the three days.
Whether you're just beginning your engineering journey or preparing for your first placement, we hope the Summit has inspired you to continue exploring the many opportunities available across Australia's power industry.
We look forward to seeing you at future API events and following your journey as the next generation of leaders shaping Australia's energy future.
Comments