Sarah Bauer
My name is Sarah, and I started as a Commercial Graduate in Ørsted in September 2022. Currently, I’m on my first rotation of the Graduate Programme in ‘Power Origination & Route to Markets’ as part of the Contract Management team based in the Gentofte office. I’m originally from Bavaria, the southern part of Germany, and I relocated to Copenhagen for this position.
I studied my bachelor and master’s degree in Management & Technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). With the combination of managerial and technical courses, the programme provided me the opportunity to dive into both of my interest fields: economics and mechanical engineering. For my master’s degree, I chose a specialisation in energy markets and did several internships in energy consultancies and the public utility of Munich, which sparked my desire for working in the energy industry.
How did you end up as a graduate/when and where did you first hear about it?
Coming from a country with a comparably smaller offshore wind industry, Ørsted wasn’t really on my radar of future employers during my studies. I stumbled across the graduate position on LinkedIn, and the job description caught my interest right away. Having researched the Graduate Programme itself and Ørsted’s vision only confirmed my decision to apply.
What attracted you to the company?
I was very impressed by the transformation of Ørsted (formerly DONG Energy), as the company has transitioned from being one of the most coal-intensive European energy companies to becoming the most sustainable energy company in the world. This pioneering role in advancing the energy transition inspired me to apply and make my own contribution to creating a world that runs entirely on green energy.
Why did you want to join a graduate programme?
Finishing my study programme, I had a rough idea of wanting to work in the energy industry, but I couldn’t pin it down to one specific role. For me, Ørsted’s Graduate Programme represented the opportunity to dive into different business areas to figure out which one I’m most interested in, and where I can use my knowledge and skills in the best way. Apart from that, I was really excited about being part of an international batch of about 60 other graduates, all with different nationalities and backgrounds. It’s a unique networking opportunity that forms bonds across the entire company and its different locations. And you’ll get to see a lot of familiar faces in the canteen, already during your first week ????
What’s surprised you the most about working for the company?
The biggest surprise for me was the social aspect of working for Ørsted. The working environment is very friendly, and you can feel that the employees are very passionate about their jobs. I experienced a warm welcome within my team, and everyone was really excited about having a new graduate in their department. Especially also the guidance you get in the form of work buddies, former graduate buddies, managers, and a mentor helps support a successful start to your career with Ørsted.
The opportunity of moving around within the company is one of the most exciting aspects of the programme and I think eight months is enough to get a profound insight into the specific business area.
What’s your biggest challenge as a graduate so far?
With three rotations of eight months each within the span of two years, I think the biggest challenge is to adapt quickly to the new working environment to learn as much as possible and contribute to the team. I think it should be enough to get a profound insight into the specific business areas. The opportunity of moving around within the company is one of the most exciting aspects of the programme and I think eight months is enough to get a profound insight into the specific business area.
What’s your advice to other applicants?
If you’re looking for a career in the renewable energy industry, Ørsted is your chance to make an impact in driving the energy transition forward, while experiencing a unique onboarding journey with the Graduate Programme. Don’t hesitate to apply and get excited for this amazing career opportunity!
