Read on to find out more about the roles of some of our graduates and why they chose the Thames Water Graduate Programme.

2010 graduates

Jonathan Biruls
Qualifications:	Bsc (Hons) Economics
Current placement:	Support Services Management Accounting

So what made you decide to join Thames Water?

I was extremely keen to join a company that could offer me a diverse range of opportunities; the Thames grad scheme is fantastic for that. The company has such a huge range of functions from its operations front i.e. sewage and water production, to Capital projects such as the Thames tunnel. There is then of course the central finance function where I am currently based, which has somewhat of a helicopter view of the entire company with its 'finger' in everything so to speak.

As such the different areas of the company that I will get to work with are so different and exciting this is what really drew me to Thames; furthermore its is an extremely successful company that works in a very difficult market - not in terms of competition (yet) but the scrutiny that the company is subject to. It is this pressure and exciting environment that appealed to me. Finally the idea of working in industry seemed far more attractive to me than that of Practice, the idea of working together as a team, with the same end goal, knowing that the hard work you put in really does help other areas of the business was very appealing.

What sort of projects have you been working on since you joined?

The placement I am currently on involves me working very centrally in the finance department, on a monthly basis I am responsible for managing, monitoring and reporting the financial behaviour of several high level departments throughout the company, prior to analysing year to date budget variances and forecasting; further to this I have also participated in the submission and analysis of the 2011/12 budget. Outside of my central Finance placement I have also been working with my graduate colleagues co-ordinating our charity event which is based in Central London, from which we hope to raise a minimum of £5,000.

How have you found the training and development you have received so far?

The courses that I have been on so far have been fantastic; as part of the Finance scheme I am studying towards my CIMA qualification, the support and guidance that I get from my team is great and CIMA is such a relevant and worldly recognised qualification. As part of the scheme I have also attend communication and financial acumen courses, which have been extremely interesting in that they have challenged me to think in different ways which I feel is helping me develop towards my potential.

What day to day challenges do you face on the programme?

Working in the Finance department communication is key, on a daily basis new challenges arise and other areas of the company often need help in finding figures and analysing them, further to this point accuracy is paramount and this becomes its own challenge on a daily basis. If other areas of the company are relying on the accuracy of the numbers I produce to make decisions it is vital that I provide them with reliable data. The graduate programme is extremely demanding and trying to balance my 'day job' with all of the additional commitments isn't easy, however this pressure is great, it keeps you constantly working hard and doesn't allow you to just 'sit back'.

How would you describe the culture at Thames?

It is difficult to sum up the entire working environment in a few sentences. However, what is apparent from day one of working for Thames is that it is a faced past environment the people who work for Thames enjoy working here and want to do a good job; the employees are extremely welcoming and it is a great place to work.

What does a typical working day look like on the Thames Water Graduate Programme?

Constantly meeting new people and being subjected to new challenges and ideas, extending your knowledge and attacking new problems. Enhancing your own personal skills through training and development. A day on the grad scheme is extremely busy and challenging, however it is great fun and everyday you develop further.

What's the one best thing about working for Thames?

The huge array of opportunities and possibilities. The ethos and working environment of Thames is such that you really feel if you work hard you will be rewarded.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Having hopefully completed my CIMA qualification I hope to be in a position whereby I have gained experience in as many areas of the Finance department as possible, as such I will have developed extensive awareness and knowledge and aim to be progressing towards my first management position.

Tom Ray
Qualifications:	MSc Environmental Science; BSc Physical Geography
Current placement:	Asset Management (Waste)

So what made you decide to join Thames Water?

Throughout university I had a desire to work within the utilities sector, due to its unique positioning in terms of satisfying demand in the face of unprecedented social, political and climatic pressures.

With this in mind, there were three main reasons that Thames appealed more to me than other utility companies:
1.Working for a company that supplies an essential service, one which people could not live without, proved a major driven in my decision.
2.The nature of the company lends itself to a wealth of variety in terms of experience.
3.The structure of the graduate scheme was unrivalled in comparison with other schemes I looked at.

The potential for graduates to find their preferred area is complimented by a well-structured programme that allows for a privileged insight into the workings of all areas within the company.

What sort of projects have you been working on since you joined?

I have been incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to travel around the company, in order to gain an understanding of how each area of the company works. Ultimately this will allow for a more informed decision-making process when installed in positions of responsibility.

During my first few months, Thames experienced an unprecedented situation, whereby the graduates were called in to assist in dealing with a leakage event driven by an exceptionally unforgiving winter spell. As a result of this 'all hands on deck' situation, I was seconded to the planning and dispatch team in London, to drive our contractor's productivity, improve real-time flow of information and increase our liaison capability with local authorities.

While this experience required me to hit the ground running from day one, I was given exceptional support which allowed me to settle into my new role a lot quicker than I was expecting. I have been encouraged to own and drive my own initiatives, and as a result I have been reporting to some senior managers, which increases the excitement tenfold.

How have you found the training and development you have received so far?

Having chatted to friends on other graduate schemes, I can confidently say that no other graduate scheme offers this level of training and development. From the moment we stepped foot in Thames, I have experienced a genuine sense of support from an incredibly interesting group of people.

Thames really sees its graduates as future leaders within the company, and as a result, your development and training starts from day one. Straight away, we were put in the privileged position of learning from industry experts and being exposed to current and dynamic learning styles. All of this is done with your future in mind. Above all, its great fun too!

What day to day challenges do you face on the programme?

Above all, you are encouraged to question what you see. Thames is looking to its graduates to give advice on how efficiency can be improved. This automatically makes your opinion feel valued and wanted, which is a great feeling when starting a new job.

Challenges faced are incredibly diverse. While this may initially seem quite intimidating, by keeping a calm head and applying a rationale view point, it ultimately contributes to greater confidence and a better breadth of understanding. Challenges can include: public speaking, presenting a viewpoint, challenges to improve a system or process, understanding the principles that the industry operates on, and many more.

How would you describe the culture at Thames?

Firstly and mostly, welcoming. Since the first welcome Thames extended to me on day one, the reception I have received around the company has not changed. People are generally happy that you are there to learn about their area of expertise, and even happier when you show a genuine interest and desire to learn. It is important to trust the company you work in, and that emotion was built up surprisingly quickly, which I can attribute to the caring nature that echoes around the company.

What does a typical working day look like on the Thames Water Graduate Programme?

There is no such phase as a 'typical day' with regard to the Graduate Programme. In the last three months, I haven't done the same thing for longer than two or three days. Each morning I wake up, I am off to a different place and doing a different thing. I could be helping a technician clean a filter bed at a water production plant in West London, explaining future changes to a customer in rural Berkshire over a cup of tea, learning how sewage is purified at a sludge treatment facility in Reading, or seeing how our waste is transported by walking around underneath London in the Victorian sewer system.

Mixed in with this, you can expect some interactive and challenging training sessions, focussed on your development. This gives you a great opportunity to network with people outside the graduate scheme and learn from their applied experience.

What's the one best thing about working for Thames?

Quite simply, I love turning up to work. What more could you ask for from a job. I am constantly challenged, constantly meeting new and exciting people and constantly experiencing a different thing each day. Not many jobs, let alone graduate schemes, can offer the wealth of variety that Thames Water do.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

One of the key objectives of the graduate scheme is to prepare you for a senior management role in five years time. This objective alone has been the principle driver behind my motivation and eagerness to learn. I hope to have worked my way up to a senior management role that involves actively interacting with a variety of people, and being faced with constantly changing challenges on a day to day basis.

If I manage this, I see myself having a lot of fun in five years time.

Faye England
Qualifications:	BSc (Hons) Environmental Sciences
Current placement:	Team Leader, Networks

So what made you decide to join Thames Water?

Throughout my degree I grew an increasing interest in the water industry and its importance. I wanted to work for a company that provided a vital service and one with an exciting future. I had decided I wanted a challenging career within the water sector and working for the largest water services company in the UK was the perfect option for me.

What sort of projects have you been working on since you joined?

I have completed a number of placements across the business since I have joined. I have spent days with technicians out in the field, helped out at the call centre in Swindon and been down the Victorian sewers in central London. It has surprised me how vast the business is and I defiantly feel privileged to have had the chance to explore all areas of it.

How have you found the training and development you have received so far?

The training and development organised by the programme has been extensive and challenging. I have found it to be well structured and appropriate. I feel I have been given the support I need to succeed and know that if I want more training in anything I would be fully backed.

What day to day challenges do you face on the programme?

Well on the placement it could be said getting up at 5am. But now I have been put into a more permanent position I would have to say understanding the complexities of the business and learning all the acronyms of Thames Water!

How would you describe the culture at Thames?

I would say the culture at Thames Water was friendly and supportive. Working for the company is definitely challenging and can seem almost impossible at some times but I know that if I need any help I can ask. The people of Thames are a credit to the business.

What does a typical working day look like on the Thames Water Graduate Programme?

Well at the beginning no day is the same! During the placements every few days you will be based somewhere new- so be prepared to travel. Embrace the travelling of the first few months as it is a real opportunity to meet new people and learn about different areas of the business.

What's the one best thing about working for Thames?

The scope of opportunity and the people you work with.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

Hopefully in five years time I would have worked in a few different areas of the business and developed my skills as a leader and manager. I hope to have reached a higher managerial level and feel like I am making a difference in such a large organisation.

Ed Dodman
Qualifications:	MEarthSci Geology and Physical Geography
Current placement:	Water Network Optimisation, Asset Management

So what made you decide to join Thames Water?

I became interested in the water sector during my final year at university, and as the largest water company in the UK, Thames Water seemed an obvious choice. I saw it as a challenge to be involved in the organisation that provides the most essential utility to the most populous area of the country.

What sort of projects have you been working on since you joined?

The three months of placements across the business allow us to get involved with a wide range of projects. We've been recently asked to help reduce the leakage resulting from the recent spell of cold weather. This sort of reactive work makes Thames Water an exciting and challenging place to be.

How have you found the training and development you have received so far?

Training and development forms a key part of the programme, before and after we begin our permanent roles. The Foundation Leadership Programme, for example, is designed to help those of us who are leading people within the business, now or in the future - something which can be quite daunting straight out of university.

What day to day challenges do you face on the programme?

The programme is intensive, and you certainly have to keep up. It's important to remember that it's an invaluable opportunity to see a range of the business that most don't get to experience. Don't apply if you don't want to be stretched; if you like a challenge then go for it.

How would you describe the culture at Thames?

There is a clear aim to be a leader of the water sector, and everyone I've met is passionate about achieving this. From a new graduate's perspective, I've been made to feel welcome and valued, which is important when moving around the business on the placements. It's rewarding to see the determination of the operators and technicians on the front line to continuously provide a first class service to our customers.

What does a typical working day look like on the Thames Water Graduate Programme?

Our first three months are spent at placements across the company. We've helped clean sludge tanks at Reading, listened to customer calls in Swindon and walked through the London Sewers under Hyde Park. The nice thing is that there is no 'typical' day.

What's the one best thing about working for Thames?

If you have an idea, people will listen. As a graduate, I wanted to be involved in projects from the start, and that has certainly been the case.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I'd like to have experienced a few more areas of the business, and be in a position to make some of the important decisions we face every day. I begin my new role in the Risk Team (another part of Asset Management) in January, which I'm excited about. Given the variety, there are a huge number of opportunities to progress - so who knows?