From College to Career: Ryan's Internship Journey at Powercomm Group

Starting your first role in a new industry can feel daunting, particularly when it's one as specialised as electrical engineering. For Ryan Burke, joining Powercomm Group as a Business Operations Intern has been an opportunity to step outside his comfort zone, develop new skills and gain first-hand experience in a growing organisation.

Joining a Growing Business

Ryan chose Powercomm Group because of its strong reputation and continued growth.

"I could see the company had grown quite largely over the last couple of years, and through recommendations I decided to apply for the six-month placement role."

As one of Powercomm's first Business Operations Interns, Ryan is helping to shape a new pathway for students and graduates looking to gain practical business experience within the engineering sector.

Learning a New Industry

Coming into the role with no previous knowledge of electrical engineering, Ryan quickly discovered that learning is part of the experience.

"I didn't know anything about electrical engineering before I started."

With support from colleagues across the business, he has been able to build his understanding of the industry while contributing to meaningful projects.

"It's quite a supportive environment. The people who have engineering knowledge are always happy to help with any queries, and I've been able to get involved in high-level projects and spend time on site, learning how high-voltage engineering works."

This combination of office-based learning and site exposure provides valuable insight into how Powercomm delivers critical electrical infrastructure projects across Ireland.

A Culture That Stands Out

One of the biggest surprises for Ryan has been the company's culture.

"I've probably been most surprised by how nice the culture within the company is."

He describes an environment where everyone is approachable, regardless of their role.

"You can speak to the Managing Director or an apprentice, and there's no difference in how approachable they are or the conversations you can have."

That openness creates an atmosphere where people feel comfortable asking questions, sharing ideas and learning from one another.

Investing in Future Talent

Ryan believes Powercomm's commitment to developing young talent is one of its greatest strengths.

While the company has welcomed engineering interns and graduate engineers for several years, it is now expanding opportunities across new disciplines, including business operations and civil engineering.

"Powercomm values growth. There's a real appetite for bringing in young people and giving them opportunities to develop."

Gaining Experience Across the Business

Rather than being confined to a single department, Ryan has been encouraged to experience different areas of the business.

With the support of his line manager, Kevin Dempsey, he has worked across multiple departments, giving him a broader understanding of how the company operates and how each team contributes to project success.

"I've been able to work across different departments, and the trust and responsibility I've been given has made it an excellent experience."

Building the Next Generation

At Powercomm Group, developing future talent is an important part of our continued growth. By providing meaningful work, experienced mentors and opportunities to learn across the business, we aim to give interns and graduates the skills and confidence to build successful careers.

Ryan's journey demonstrates that you don't need prior industry experience to succeed—you simply need curiosity, a willingness to learn and the right support around you.

As Powercomm continues to grow, we're proud to create opportunities for the next generation of professionals to develop, contribute and thrive.