National Grid

Transmission Line Engineering Intern

May - August 2022 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I enjoyed the wide variety of projects I got to work on. I was able to work on a project design package, clearance analysis, and some drafting work. I got exposure and practice in AutoCAD and PLS-CADD, along with various other software and systems. I went into the office about twice a week and worked from home the rest of the week. Being in the office was great because I got to work alongside and learn directly from the entire Transmission Line Engineering team as well as the other interns in the office. I was also able to go out into the field and see several of the projects the team was working on. The entire experience was extremely beneficial in introducing me to the utility business and the extraordinary effort it takes to keep the lights on and the heat running.

What I wish was different

National Grid was in the process of moving offices during my time there in Waltham. As a result of that plus COVID, the internship was more online than I initially expected. I also wish that there were more opportunities for the interns from the various departments to interact more often and earlier in the Summer. Towards the end of the Summer there were more events where all the interns were able to meet and interact with one another, which I believe was a result of our feedback from the middle of the Summer. From what I understand, the internship experience will be a little different after our year because of our feedback. I believe there will be more experiences for interns to meet and work together.

Advice

Definitely ask questions if you are unsure about anything. In industry there are many acronyms, terms, and phrases that will be unfamiliar to you. Ask what they stand for and what they mean. Take notes so you can then be familiar with the different concepts and plans brought up during team meetings. I went from understanding close to nothing in my first couple of team meetings, to being able to ask questions and partially contribute in the later meetings.

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Instructional Designer

June - August 2023 • Liverpool, NY

What I liked

The programming provided to learn about the company was amazing. There were plenty of opportunities to network, ask questions, learn, and grow through these events even though it is only a short internship. The colleagues and peers are so friendly, welcoming, and supportive.

What I wish was different

I wish there had been more structured opportunities outside of work for interns to engage with one another.

Advice

This experience can be great, or not. National Grid internships truly give you what you want to get out of it. Go in with an open mind, set a few goals for yourself and you will be able to accomplish a lot and learn so much about the company and yourself.

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Investment Recovery Intern

June - August 2022 • Syracuse, NY

What I liked

Flexible hybrid modality, very flexible managers with options for projects to take on

What I wish was different

A bit more structure with training and more tasks, had to be proactive to find projects to work on

Advice

Be proactive in seeking opportunities/work

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Engineering Asset Management Intern

May - August 2022 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I had a pleasant experience as an intern at National Grid. The company is welcoming and pushes to hire younger talent into the company. I love the energy industry and got to learn a lot about the operations and roles of a utility company. I went on many site visits and got to see firsthand many of the projects the company would participate in. if you are interested in the energy industry and are thinking of working at a utility company, I highly recommend National Grid as a company to consider in your job search.

What I wish was different

Although the company wants to hire younger talent, its system for doing so is not the best. The gridtern program isn't entirely clear on how return offers are made, and the company isn't exactly progressive in pushing their interns to pursue return offers. I didn't hear about return offers until near the end of my time in the company. I recommend you choose your department well as you consider employment at National Grid or anywhere else. While I learned a lot about the company and the logistics of the job I would be doing, as an intern in my particular department I did very little hands-on work. I mostly sat in meetings and did less than I would have liked in contributing to projects.

Advice

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Customer Energy Management Intern

June - August 2022 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I really enjoyed the amount of autonomy I was given when designing my deliverable, as well as in choosing skills I wanted to focus on developing.

What I wish was different

I wish that there had been more opportunity to work in-person and meet my co-workers face to face!

Advice

Always ask questions and don't be afraid to reach out to different branches of the company if you are interested in different kinds of work/responsibilities. Everyone is happy to network and help you find a place in the company, or give you career advice—even if they don't work directly with you!

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Prject manager

February 2019 • Syracuse, NY

What I liked

the people at National grid are great and they are very welcoming of interns

What I wish was different

I wish I has started there sooner

Advice

Don't be afraid to apply there even if you don't have an engineering degree, there are a lot of different jobs there and you can learn a lot

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Gridtern

June - August 2021 • Melville, NY

What I liked

I worked in the Gas Asset Management and Engineering Department, overall it was a really nice experience. Started off virtual with COVID, then transitioned to an in-person operation. The internship process is very developed within Grid, with a team dedicated to helping you out during the experience, bringing unique voices and perspectives you would have otherwise not seen, in.

What I wish was different

Nothing really, I had a great time. The team I worked with was amazing.

Advice

Know what role you are applying for! My role consisted of driving between 30-60 minutes to a job site about once a week, and had a not had a car, that would not have been very feasible.

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Contractor Oversight Intern

June - August 2021 • Braintree, MA

What I liked

Great employer to work for! As an intern everyone there understands that you're learning. Everyone will help you to learn the industry, not just your specific role. As a summer intern the Campus to Careers Team tried their hardest to host speakers from the company to speak about their roles and how they got there and virtual tours of sites. The team also organized events where I able to meet other interns in National Grid across New England virtually and network with them. Overall a great place to intern if you're interested in having a very fun busy summer! Bonus, there were plenty of in-person site visits!

What I wish was different

The commute was rough somedays and due to covid most events were virtual (but still great events).

Advice

Ask questions! Everyone there is helpful and wants to teach you about what they're doing! Plus it's a great way to network within the company.

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IT change delivery intern

July 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I love how willing people are to help within the company with whatever questions you might have or with the projects that you are working on. They are very accommodating and my current boss is very constructive with the comments about how I can improve myself for my future careers.

What I wish was different

I wish it wasn't a virtual internship due to the COVID.

Advice

I would share that it is a great place to work with many wonderful opportunities to grow and develop as a future employee. I would say if you are thinking about making a bold move within the company, do it! You may not like it at first, but it will be great experience regardless.

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Customer relations intern

May 2020 • Buffalo, NY

What I liked

I loved how I was given real tasks to complete and embraced by the company.

What I wish was different

I wish it hadn’t been fully remote.

Advice

When you have an internship, dive in and learn as much as you can.

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Gridtern

July - August 2020 • New York City, NY

What I liked

Since it was remote, they hosted several webinars throughout the summer so the interns across the Northeast could connect and learn about the company.

What I wish was different

I wish there was more variety in the type of work I completed.

Advice

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Transmission Asset Management

July - August 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

i got paid

What I wish was different

more relevancy to what i study more actual work

Advice

they call the work "engineering" but its more like a combination of business and engineering and more about the business, literally just the management of National Grid assets like transformers and stuff

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Enterprise Change Intern

July - August 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

Very nice people to work with, really good experience

What I wish was different

In person rather than virtual

Advice

be open to learning new things but typically this is more for people interested in the gas and electric industry

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Sustainability Intern

July - August 2020 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

Produced work beneficial to the company in the far and immediate future.

What I wish was different

Having the ability to make site visits as was planned pre-COVID.

Advice

Ask more questions than you think is necessary!

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Civil Engineering Intern

May 2019 • Norwood, MA

What I liked

I got tons of hands-on experience in the field and also spent time in the office learning about different computer programs! It was a great internship experience to move forward as a civil engineering student.

What I wish was different

The commute time

Advice

Create a relationship with your co-workers so that you can enjoy a friendly environment, and ask questions!

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Chemical Engineering Intern

May - August 2018 • New York City, NY

What I liked

I loved the small plant atmosphere. I was able to develop great relationships with everyone in the plant, as well as all of the visitors. I also was given large responsibilities due to the fact that everyone there was aware of my capabilities.

What I wish was different

I wish my commute was a little shorter. NY traffic is not light and so a 2 hour drive home everyday is not ideal.

Advice

If you have the opportunity to work for this company, do it! They have a wonderful workplace environment. The employees push you to be your best self. Take advantage of every moment because you get what you put into it.

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Electrical Engineering Intern

May - August 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

I loved being able to work both in the office and at multiple substation sites

What I wish was different

I wish there was another intern in the same department so that we could work together sometimes and learn from each other as well.

Advice

Always listen and be attentive. There is endless learning because not all substations are the exact same

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Electrical Engineering Intern

May - August 2019 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

What I wish was different

Advice

Be open to learning from all different departments and exploring beyond your department as well ! Your supervisor will encourage you to do this as you should and build many relationships.

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Protection Engineering Intern

May - August 2017 • Syracuse, NY

What I liked

It was very informative and the people really wanted to teach you.

What I wish was different

Nothing

Advice

Ask questions when you don't know something. People are more than happy to help you.

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Customer Energy Integration - Business Support Intern

June - August 2018 • Waltham, MA

What I liked

Overall, I valued the intern Lunch and Learn sessions, specifically the one focused on resume review. In my specific department, I enjoyed working with a team that had a start-up like culture. This department is new and overflowing with projects so I could tell that my efforts had impact.

What I wish was different

More interaction with other interns.

Advice

Make the effort to meet professionals in different departments over coffee in the break room. National Grid is a large company and there's something for everyone no matter your skills or interests. Many people are happy to share their career journey with you!

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