Early Careers

Graduate to saving the world from climate change

Don’t be part of the global warming problem; be a part of the solution. Renewable energy is one of the fastest growing sectors of a new, high-skills green economy. With Mainstream, you can be at the cutting edge of it from the very start of your professional life. Begin building your career as a global changemaker right here.

Make a difference from Day 1

You are young, brimming with ideas and ready to change the world. We are leading the global energy transition, and focused on electrifying the world as the primary climate action. Together, we can say goodbye to CO2 and energise your career journey from Day 1.

Our paid internships and graduate programmes are opportunities to apply your fresh thinking to exciting projects, in an environment of innovation and entrepreneurialism. You will learn from the best and discover what you do best, drawing on qualities you never knew you had. You can expect respect as a valued team member, because that’s how we are creating sustainable futures for us all.

Intern journeys

Relebogile Rathebe

ESG Intern

Andrew McGregor

Senior Hydrogen and Energy Storage Analyst

Cuc Doan

Project Engineer

Alan McCarthy

Central Generation Operations & Business Analytics Manager

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Intern journeys

Back to Early Careers

Relebogile Rathebe

ESG Intern

What were you studying at college before you took up the internship?

I studied a BSc Environmental Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and then a BSc (Hons) Environmental Management at the University of South Africa.

What area of business have you been working in during your time with Mainstream?

I’m part of the SHEQ/Compliance team, working as an Environmental, Social and Governance – or ESG – intern.

What have you learnt from the experience?

My biggest take away so far is that it is a fast-paced and innovative environment that offers ample opportunities for growth and career development.

As my role requires interaction with various people from different departments, the biggest positive is the openness, helpfulness, and willingness of the personnel to engage and collaborate.

Intern journeys

Back to Early Careers

Andrew McGregor

Senior Hydrogen and Energy Storage Analyst

What were you studying at college when you took up the internship?

I studied Energy Engineering at University College Cork, graduating in 2018.

How did your time as an intern shape your subsequent career?

My time as an intern with Mainstream cemented my desire to pursue a career in renewable energy. Since returning as a graduate, I have been presented with constant opportunities to develop my technical skills and actively encouraged to pursue career development opportunities in new business areas.

What did you take away from the experience as an intern and then graduate entrant?

My first few years with Mainstream taught me about the importance of a holistic, integrated approach to renewable energy project development, combining robust engineering and design, local project development and stakeholder engagement expertise and key commercial considerations.

Intern journeys

Back to Early Careers

Cuc Doan

Project Engineer

What were you studying at college when you took up the internship?

I was learning Oceanology at the University of Science – Vietnam National University, in Ho Chi Minh City.

What area of business are you now working in at Mainstream?

Currently, I’m a Project Engineer working mainly for Soc Trang 1400MW project in Vietnam.

What was the biggest take away from your time as an intern with Mainstream?

I think this was the way a company works. The study and working environments are quite different. At university, we need to focus on our learning, and sometimes we have community activities but it is just like an exchange session between students. In Mainstream, we need good coordination between all the teams for a project to go right as planned. Sometimes good coordination is not enough, because many things impact the schedule of a project and are hard to control – such as the government’s plan for renewable energy for the next 10 years.

How has your time as an intern shaped your subsequent career?

I was lucky because I become an intern during the time that Mainstream was taking some early steps in the Vietnam market. Therefore, I had a chance to learn the way a renewable energy project develops from the beginning, and joined in many tasks that helped me to understand the way the company works, and to learn from experienced people.

Why did you decide to return as a graduate entrant?

In Mainstream, I can be free to raise my idea and do it, and I can have great support from my manager as well as my colleagues.

Intern journeys

Back to Early Careers

Alan McCarthy

Central Generation Operations & Business Analytics Manager

What were you studying at college when you took up the internship?

I was studying a BE in Energy Engineering at University College Cork (UCC). This course offered a six-month work placement at the end of third year, allowing me to join Mainstream as an intern.

What area of business did you work in during that time, and what did it lead to?

I joined as an intern in 2011, as an Engineer in the Technical Services team. After returning to UCC to finish my degree, I rejoined as an Asset Information Engineer in the Procurement & Project Development team in 2012. I am now the Central Generation Operations & Business Analytics Manager in the Project Management Office team. I manage the governance of the global Operations & Maintenance function and the data analytics function.

What did you learn from the internship experience?

After joining as an intern, I immediately saw an organisation where everyone is treated with respect, regardless of position. I was made to feel part of the team, and given real work and projects from Day 1. This gave me a broad experience and exposure to different areas of the business.

How did that time shape your subsequent career?

Those six months provided a springboard to a graduate role the following year. Ten years later and I’m still with Mainstream, so the opportunity of an internship was the starting point to a long career at Mainstream.

Put your studies to work

Hybrid Solutions

Integrate new technologies like green hydrogen production, Power-2-X and battery storage systems into our renewable energy projects.

Energy Analysis

Optimise the energy generation of projects by mapping and measuring wind and solar inputs, designing project layouts and comparing technologies.

Project Management

Set and apply and continually update the standards by which we develop, construct and operate our renewable energy assets sustainably for all stakeholders.

SHEQ

Implement and audit procedures that safeguard the safety of colleagues and contractors, minimise our impact on the environment and manage enterprise risks.

Corporate Finance

Assess the best ways to raise project finance and then how to use it, through the formulation of capital structure, investment decisions and financial planning.

My time as an intern at Mainstream gave me a valuable insight into the renewables industry, contributed to my learning and professional development and led to a full-time job when I completed my studies!

Andrew McGregor - Senior Hydrogen & Energy Storage Analyst

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