From Campus into the Company: Starting a Career at Hitachi Energy

Finding your own path is not always easy, especially when you are young and pursuing a degree you chose a few years ago, without really knowing what you would like to do professionally later. Toward the end of their studies, many students ask themselves what comes next. Which job is right for me? Should I start with a direct entry or a trainee program? Should I continue learning or take on responsibility right away?

At Hitachi Energy, there are many ways to shape the transition from university into professional life individually. These include internships, working student positions, dual-study models, graduate and trainee programs, and direct entry roles. Two young talents from our Swiss partner universities share how they found their way into the company and how Hitachi Energy supported them in transitioning from academia to the professional world.

Two Paths, One Goal: Starting Professional Life

Lára Sahadeo Stefánsdóttir – PiBS Student in Project Engineering

Lára studies Mechanical Engineering at ZHAW and is part of the practice-integrated Bachelor program PiBS at Hitachi Energy. This model combines academic learning with practical work at the company over the course of four years.

From an early stage, it was clear to Lára that she wanted to combine theory and practice. As she lacked the required practical experience for a full-time degree program, she consciously decided to pursue the PiBS program. At Hitachi Energy, she works alongside her studies in a 60–40 model across different areas. She has already gained experience in production, logistics and manufacturing, and is currently working in project engineering.

She particularly values the opportunity to get to know different teams, ways of working, and perspectives. Today, she works in Project Engineering and already takes responsibility for her own projects. In doing so, she benefits from a high level of trust from her supervisors and the support of experienced colleagues.

The transition into working life was challenging at first. New processes, a large organization, and balancing work and studies simultaneously required a lot of organization. Over time, Lára developed a solid routine and today speaks of a healthy work-study-life balance. Looking back, she says that she has grown significantly on a personal level. She has learned to take responsibility, express her opinions, and believe in her own abilities.

Ilinca Grumeza – Finance Graduate in the Global Finance Trainee Program

Ilinca completed her master’s degree in Finance at the University of Neuchâtel and joined Hitachi Energy through the Global Finance Trainee Program. The structured graduate program offers insights into various finance functions and international assignments.

Since joining in April 2025, Ilinca has completed several rotations. She started in General Accounting in Baden, then worked in Risk Management in Milan, and is currently based in Controlling in Zurich. This diversity was the key reason she chose the program. She wanted to explore the breadth of the finance function before specializing in the long term.

The transition from university to professional life was both exciting and challenging for Ilinca. While university studies often involve clearly defined problems and solution paths, real-life business challenges are more complex and less straightforward. She was particularly surprised by how strongly finance is shaped by communication, collaboration, and trust, and by how important it is to explain financial analyses clearly.

The graduate program supports her development through structured rotations, continuous feedback, and a strong network of fellow graduates. Today, Ilinca has a much clearer understanding of her strengths and the direction she would like to pursue in her career.

Learning, Growing, and Taking Responsibility

As different as Lára’s and Ilinca’s entry paths may be, both experiences show how important hands-on experience, trust, and structured development programs are for a successful career start.

Hitachi Energy offers students and graduates a wide range of entry opportunities.

All programs share a common focus on learning, early responsibility, and personal development. Early talents are supported by experienced colleagues and benefit from an international working environment.

Advice for Students at the Beginning of Their Careers

Both interviewees share clear advice for students. Curiosity and openness to new experiences are essential. Patience with oneself is equally important, as no one expects perfection from day one. Taking initiative and embracing responsibility should be actively pursued. Soft skills such as communication, self-organization, and adaptability should not be underestimated either.

Starting professional life is not a straight path, but a continuous learning process. Entry-level programs at Hitachi Energy help shape this transition in a conscious, supported, and future-oriented way.

Want to kick-start your career and become part of Hitachi Energy? Explore our entry-level programs and help us shape a sustainable energy future.