At Laketricity, a first job is not a barrier to fulfillment, explains Julie Laguerre
In this employee testimony, you will discover Julie Laguerre’s experience on her first job at Laketricity after completing her studies. After obtaining her Master’s degree at KEDGE and completing various internships, Julie joined Laketricity France in October 2023. She oversees territorial development for projects nationwide and is steadily evolving towards project management.
Julie embodies the successful integration of a new talent into the team. The collective efforts of both managers and employees, along with the attention paid to her onboarding, enabled a smooth integration and a swift build-up of her knowledge and hard skills.
Read Julie’s answers to our questions in this interview, and learn more about her vision of Laketricity and of the onboarding process awaiting newcomers, whether they have a junior profile or a more experienced one.
Valuing new talent and innovative ideas: Julie Laguerre’s first job at Laketricity
What attracted you to join Laketricity for your first job after your graduation?
First of all, I liked the way the recruitment process went. It enabled me to meet the whole team, to understand the organization and working atmosphere at Laketricity, and to get a concrete idea of my tasks through a case study. On the other hand, I had the feeling that the managers are careful to maintain a balance and good spirit within the team. Your personality and values have to match those of your co-workers and the company.
Secondly, I want my work and my daily actions to have a positive impact on the future, and working for the energy transition is a major contribution to this need. Moreover, I didn’t know about floating solar before and I was impressed by the ongoing desire for innovation at Laketricity.
Finally, I like the company structure. Laketricity has a global presence, but the offices remain on a human scale. I mean, I know and I’ve met my coworkers in Italy for example. This flat organization offers the possibility of regular contact with all teams and top management, as well as career opportunities in the USA or Japan!
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How do you feel your contributions as a junior employee are valued within Laketricity?
Since day one, I’ve been asked for my opinion on almost every subject I deal with and given the opportunity to speak up and propose ideas, even on subjects in which I have little experience. Laketricity is always looking for a fresh look at projects, a different way of approaching a particular subject or obstacle. Unless your proposal is completely irrelevant, you can be involved in the decision-making process and propose solutions, whatever your age, level of experience or degree.
I can also add the fact that I was assigned to take on the development of a project, tutored by our project manager of course, after a few months in the company. I’m aware of the responsibility I’ve been given, and I take it very seriously.
At Laketricity, a first job is also associated with first major successes for Julie Laguerre
Can you describe a moment where you felt your contributions made a meaningful impact on a project?
It’s hard to say because it’s not something quantifiable, but I’d say that what makes the difference is presence on the field and knowledge of the local area. Every time a meeting has gone well, it’s because I was well prepared and knew the context. Secondly, I believe that Laketricity teaches me and asks me to adapt to the person I’m talking to. You don’t address a public authority in the same way as a private individual, for example. Finally, it’s important to show that you’re trying to put yourself in the shoes of the person you’re talking to. I think that’s a behavior that contributes greatly to a successful negotiation.
What is your best memory since you joined Laketricity? it can be related to a project or a team moment.
To be honest, that was the day I knew I was going to sign my first project. The decision had been taken the evening before, and the first thing I did when I woke up the next morning was turn on my phone. When I saw that the mayor had sent a message to tell me that we’d been chosen to develop the project, I jumped for joy for 10 minutes. We’d worked so hard on this project, with contributions from the whole team, it was a relief and a source of pride.
Even if I don’t have a particular moment to highlight, I’d still like to say that it’s motivating to work with people who share the same vision, and above all with a united team. It’s normal to have ups and downs, whether at work or in your personal life. And I know I can rely on the team’s good mood or their help with projects.
Julie’s future goals and advices for new graduates after her experience of a first position with Laketricity
Looking back on your first few months here, what are you looking forward to in the future with Laketricity?
In the short term, I’d like to continue developing my skills in the topics I deal with currently, which are field prospecting, negotiation and project development. For the moment, my missions are more focused on prospecting, but I’d like to gradually move into project development. It’s an ongoing discussion I’m having with my manager and my team, to find out how to structure the organization and distribution of my assignments.
Then, in a couple of years, I’d like to progress within the organization by taking on more responsibilities and managing a team. I think Laketricity has a flexible organization and manages its talents to keep them within the group over the long term. So I hope I’ll be able to develop a career plan with them that allows me to evolve vertically but also horizontally by learning about new subjects, why not project financing in a more distant perspective.
What advice would you give to other recent graduates or junior professionals considering joining Laketricity?
I think the key is to know where you’re going and why you’re doing it. What is your career plan and why do you want to focus on this profession or sector? It all depends on the position you’re applying for, but no matter what you’re studying or what your background is, if you talk clearly and honestly about what motivates you to work for the energy transition, you’ve got nothing to lose by coming for an interview!
Moreover, technical skills are acquired through training and experience, but as a junior, I think we need to pay more attention to our posture!
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Author : Julie Laguerre