As with any job you have, it depends where you are and what area of the business you're in. But one thing is clear – the social side of RWEnpower is every bit as lively as the industry it sits within. We asked some of our current graduates about their experiences, to give you a real flavour of what you can expect.

What’s the social life like at RWE npower? 

"On every placement I've had the opportunity to have a social life with the teams; arranging pub nights, going on team working exercises such as sailing, or the company-wide 'npower games'. There are loads of ways to interact with different team members. Some teams have a night out at least once a month and generally there is something going on, whether it's bowling, cycling, running or football.!"

"There are volunteer days that you can do, working with people from across the business – it's another opportunity to meet people.There are lots of activities going on and some great opportunities arise to do things that you wouldn't normally do – like becoming a crew member at a sailing regatta. It can be whatever you want it to be. There are always loads of graduates continuing to live the university lifestyle, but with a full, rather than empty wallet!"

Do you keep in touch with other graduates?

You'll make friends from the moment you start and one thing we're proud of at RWE npower is our impressive networking system. We encourage every new starter to make, keep and use all contacts to get as much from their working and social life as possible. The friends you make on your first placement, the managers you impress with your enthusiasm, they all have a role to play in your bright future.

"We all keep in touch regularly, often via email at work to arrange gatherings and nights out. We tend to meet up when attending courses and other events outside of work, like birthdays and BBQs etc. When I visit other offices I catch up with fellow graduates over lunch. Graduates are open and offer any advice or help they can: there's a feeling of common goals. Everyone wants to have the best experience and training so its better to share information and experiences to achieve that! Managers are absolutely fine with you spending your time speaking to colleagues and fellow graduates as you're building a network for the future."

What clubs and activities can I take part in?

It's not just your mind that we want to keep active, it's important to get fresh air for fresh ideas. We don't expect you to be Olympic athletes; we just want to see some enthusiasm and a little team-working. After all, it will help you make new friends and see a more fun side to working life. We believe firmly in a work-life balance – and helping charities along the way wherever we can.
We have a running club, gym, the npower games and internal events such as cricket tournaments.

"There are good opportunities during the npower games to get involved in almost any sport, including Dragon Boat Racing. I started climbing earlier this year thinking it was a niche sport, but after asking around, I found many in Swindon who climbed quite regularly – so I will always have a partner now. The company supports sports teams which you can join or will help you set up a new club."

"The various clubs often enter teams into local and sometimes even national competitions. I've taken part in a few races and this year I'm organising a company-backed graduate team in the Great North Run."

Is there anything that surprised you about life at RWE npower?

If you're expecting the same old same old, you may just have to think again. Most companies offer a subsidised gym or networking events, but we're confident that we're doing it bigger and better. If there's one thing that will keep your career on track and your future bright, it's the support of the people around you. We're all here to help.

"It was amazing how quickly the graduates built up a social network. Within the first couple of weeks we were going out for drinks and meals with each other. I think that there is much more going on than I expected! The graduate scheme seems to attract people who are genuine, likeable and sociable so I was surprised how good it was!"

"Everyone is friendly and easygoing. Whenever I traveled to work at another site, there was always a group of people going out, no matter what day of the week! The importance that the company places on non-work activities was a bit of a surprise and it shows they look out for staff well-being. We've been bowling, laser-questing, drinking, eating, skiing, snowboarding and loads more."

Were you given much support when relocating?

The graduate scheme looks for flexible people who relish the challenge of different outlooks, different business areas and different people to build relationships with. Plus, the best way to get to know the business and how you can find your place within it, is to see it. Usually your placements last six months and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to fit in, make friends and go further with your ambitions.

"People at RWE npower are very supportive and helpful. Managers are approachable to talk to about future placements and mentors provide information on the areas which may best suit you. Sometimes there is someone in the department who rents out their spare room – you just have to ask. The company put me in touch with other graduates who were also looking for accommodation in the same area before I started working."

How did you find your first few weeks?

It can be intimidating starting a new job. Not at RWE npower. We truly go out of our way to give you the best start and the warmest welcome.

"People in RWE npower try to make you feel at home, and they are very supportive. Graduates from the previous year's intake are there to hand-over work to you and provide you with guidance. Everyone was very hands on and encouraging."

"Everyone is very friendly and helpful and most things are in place before you arrive.Having the other graduates there in the same situation makes all the difference.As an engineering graduate, you're taken on a two week tour of the RWE npower sites in the UK. This is a good time to get to know your fellow graduates and to understand what the company does a bit better. There is also a week long corporate induction with the graduates from all the schemes so, by the end, you feel comfortable in the company."

"To be honest, very easy. The team I was working within were great and very helpful. They also arranged a meal and a few social drinks to welcome me to the team"

Is RWE npower a friendly place to work?

"Everyone is very friendly whether you are in a station or in the office. If you have a question then people are always approachable and will stop what they are doing to give you help, often giving you a very detailed explanation! People are out to do a good job and have some fun along the way. Things like the running club are a great chance to interact with some very senior people in a relaxed way. It's a funny feeling when you realise that the person you were trading banter on the lunch time run is really your boss's boss's boss!"
 
"Working with people at all levels from Call Centres to MD, everyone is approachable and friendly. My two line managers and my mentor have been extremely supportive. Despite the busy nature of the business, everyone that I have come across is willing to give up some of their time to explain wider aspects of work, or how various aspects of the stations work."

Are you given ongoing support throughout the scheme and someone to talk to if you have a problem?

It's easy to talk about all the things that are going well, but we all know that there will be times when you're finding something tougher than you might expect. We're not just here for the good times, we're here for you all the time. Whatever the issues, there'll be someone on hand to support, guide and advise you.

Initially, while you are on the graduate scheme, a mentor is assigned to you. Quarterly meetings are arranged and, if any important issues arise, he or she will be the first person you go to. You'll also find that line managers are very supportive and open to discuss any issue.
 
"If you ask for help it's there, which I like. If I have a problem, my first point of contact is probably my learning set, a small group of graduates who meet regularly to discuss issues and experiences throughout the graduate scheme. There is always someone to ask about any issue. You call anyone in the business and just ask about their job or for advice. I find I use the unofficial support – through speaking to people I know and trust through the business. A lot of them are graduates already on the scheme but it can be from asking the PA who has been with the company since the start, to a senior manager when we go out with the running club at lunch time."
 
"You have several sources you can go to: I have several bosses, my mentor and my buddy! I speak with my mentor every two weeks, who has been really helpful in organising placements and gives great advice on what he believes to be good learning areas for the future. Whenever you need it there's always someone to help, generally all the graduates tend to help each other as well as were all mainly facing the same issues."

Where will I be working?

The placements can take you anywhere. To give you some idea, we asked a few people what they liked about the places they'd seen.

"There are a lot of grads based in Swindon, so there are plenty of people to socialise with."
 
"I was in Worcester – great city with great bars."
 
"Lots of beautiful countryside around Swindon – good for mountain biking."
 
"Worcester is a really friendly and cultural city."
 
"Leeds and Solihull: Both great places to live with good social scenes."
 
"If you are away from your home location for three months or less, you can either stay in a hotel or have accommodation paid for by the company. We chose the latter and got a short term rent on a place in Cardiff bay. This was very enjoyable – Cardiff is a great city with a lot to offer."

"Living in Leeds is fantastic; it's a vibrant city with plenty to do."
 
"I'm about one month into a placement with RWE IT Germany, based in Cologne. I love the different lifestyle and work opportunities out here. It's a huge city with plenty to see and do. Plus, I can spend the weekends visiting neighbouring countries just a short train ride away: Holland, France, Belgium and Luxembourg."

If you could give someone one tip about finding success at RWE npower, what would that be?

"Take it from the people in the know, RWE npower is an exciting place to work with some of the greatest opportunities in the industry."

"The electricity market in the UK is becoming a public issue with so many constraints and challenges for the future. So for an engineer there couldn't be a better time to join such an exciting business."
 
"It's worth taking a chance on every opportunity that comes your way, whether it is work or socially related. You don't know who you will encounter in the business again, so remember people and they will remember you. Be self-motivated – make as many contacts as possible, use all four placements to work in different functions and areas of the business."
 
"You get out what you put in. The company is extremely supportive if you show initiative. Don't be afraid to ask questions, whether it's about something you don't understand or about the area where you are staying. If the person you ask can't give you an answer they always find someone who can. If you're keen and motivated, you will achieve as much as you want."
 
"Embrace the opportunity and take advantage of any challenge given to you. Be yourself at all times."
 
"Get involved on day one – become part of the team."