Caitlin Callaghan - my dream role may not even exist yet!

Caitlin Callaghan works as a Graduate Power Systems engineer, currently on her second placement within ESO in the Resilience and Restoration team. 

What is your role at the ESO? 

I am currently working as a Graduate Power Systems Engineer, as part of my second placement within the ESO. I am based in the Resilience and Restoration team which acts as control room support. The Resilience side of the team are responsible for ensuring the control room is prepared for emergencies and that our procedures and training are up to standard. The Restoration portion of the team works to establish procedures and provide assurance to Senior Leadership of the ESO’s ability to re-start the transmission system in the event of a major failure. My job varies between the two teams, with much of the work that I have carried out related to our Covid recovery processes. 

What has inspired you to work for the ESO? 

I was accepted to the Institute of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Power Academy, in which a range of companies sponsor students through their remaining years at university and provide summer placements. I chose to work for the ESO as I liked its unique role within the industry and I was inspired by my summer placement within the ETYS team. I loved my experience, the atmosphere within the office and the company’s values and aspirations aligned with my own. After completing my final year of study, I chose to return for the graduate scheme. 

What do you love about engineering? 

I love that engineering is a collaborative effort. To make effective, practical decisions, a whole host of different opinions and viewpoints need to be considered. The mix of people needed for this and the discussions and debates that are generated will always be my favourite part of the job. 

What are your engineering career aspirations? 

I am very aware that the industry is constantly changing and what I might consider my dream role may not even exist yet. The graduate scheme has allowed me to try a selection of roles across the business and with the ESO continuing to evolve, I suspect in the future I will try a good few more. I value feeling challenged and enthused by a role, so will continue to search for opportunities that do so. 

I am also striving for Chartership at some point in the future and am constantly seeking the necessary experience for this. 

What advice would you give to aspiring engineers? 

I would say to keep an eye out for all opportunities. Often local universities or companies will offer insight days to school and university students - you need to actively look for them. My local university ran a project called the Scottish Space School which was a fundamental factor in my decision to study engineering and was something I stumbled upon when looking at the university’s website.