Charles graduates from Queen’s University Belfast having secured a full time role with Action Renewables, a Belfast based charity which works to promote renewable energy.  Charles returns to the organisation after a successful placement year, where he gained valuable hands-on experience working across several departments, including the Large Scale, Consultancy, and Business Development teams. He also had the chance to assist with Action Renewables flagship charitable project, the Solar PV Support Programme.

Charles credits the networking opportunities and professional experience gained through his placement as a key factor in successfully securing a full time position with the company just weeks after completing his final exam.

“My time on placement opened doors for me at Action Renewables. I was incredibly grateful to have been given the opportunity to return to the company part-time as an Assistant Project Manager within the Consultancy Team during my final year of university. This was a brilliant experience as I got the chance to further develop my skillset with a new team and dive into the world of consultancy.

During final year, the opportunity arose to apply for a full time role as a Compliance Officer. I was fortunate to have been successful in my application and interview and I started the role a few weeks after my final exam. I’m delighted to be back with the organisation and I’m really excited to see what the future holds for the company and I!”

Reflecting on his placement experience, Charles acknowledges how much it helped him build confidence and grow both professionally and personally.

“My time with the company allowed me to grow both professionally and as a person. Initially, I was a bit nervous starting placement as I had never worked an office job before, but it turns out there was no need to worry — I really enjoyed the whole experience.”

Now settled into his graduate role, Charles encourages current students to embrace new challenges and make the most of every experience.

“Always be yourself and make the most of the opportunities that come your way. These experiences will help you grow professionally and personally, and they will stand to you in the long run. Be open to trying different things — you may end up finding something you’re really interested in that you hadn’t thought of before.”

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