Carmel Parry
Graduate Trainee
I started on the Yorkshire Water Graduate Scheme in the Environmental Business Unit in September 2008 straight after graduating with a degree in Environmental Science from the University of York.
One of the first things that struck me about Yorkshire Water was how friendly and helpful everyone is. It's always a daunting thing meeting new people and getting used to different ways of working, but the support I was given from the start was second to none, and I settled in quickly.
One of the main reasons for applying for a place on the Graduate Scheme was, firstly, the opportunities available for developing your skills through courses and training programmes. I was also attracted to the idea that you get to experience many different parts of the business by undertaking placements in different teams, gaining a wide knowledge of how the business functions.
Since starting on the scheme I have completed three placements in Customer Services, Waste Processing & Recycling and the Energy team. Each move has meant increased responsibility and challenge, which will continue as I move into my next placement. I have not only developed personally in terms of my confidence and communication with others, but my organisational and planning skills have improved.
I love that no day is ever the same in my role. You are always meeting and working with new people and coming across and solving new problems. You are given interesting and useful projects and tasks and really become a functioning part of a team - you never get bored!
So far I have been involved with organising the annual Business Excellence Awards celebration event. I have also taken part in a couple of One Million Green Fingers challenges and have organised a number of charity events to raise money for WaterAid (including a fishing competition and a "water aware week").
