I told my manager this during the job interview for my current position as an International Trainee at Vattenfall Research and Development (R&D) with a focus on Customer Product & Solutions. He smiled at me. At the time, I didn't know why. Now, six months later I do.
Every day at work I get to experience working in cutting-edge projects in an innovative environment at high speed. We investigate technologies to facilitate the renewable energy transition, new smart home solutions and, in what ways we can, influence our customers to make better choices.
While I love working in "startup mode", having the possibility to consult any of my 20,000 colleagues within Vattenfall, operating throughout the entire energy value chain is an amazing asset and strength. Personally, I love to work in a company where I can zoom in on a specific challenge, but at the same time obtain the perspective of the whole energy sector.
Throughout the trainee program, my understanding of the energy sector as a whole has grown. I have had the opportunity to work abroad, in functions outside of R&D and to build a network across the company. All International Trainees are spread across the company's geographical and operational units. Questioning, discussing and reflecting together with them has contributed immensely to my personal development during the past year. And, as if that was not enough, they have all become my very close friends too.
The other day, my manager and I talked about the cog in the machine again. This time, we both smiled. I am no longer afraid of becoming a cog in the Vattenfall machine: We are developing innovative and sustainable solutions along with digitalisation, decentralisation and decarbonisation. We are the ones developing the cogs.