Abigail Lander

Bursary student Abigail Lander is in her second year at Oxford University. She joins JE each year for four weeks, working in various departments to build her skills in a range of different areas.

We caught up with her to find out more about what she has been working on and her plans for the future.

What are you studying and where? 

I am a second year student at Oxford University reading Materials Science (MEng) at Corpus Christi College. 

How have you benefitted from work experience with JE? 

During my work at JE, I have completed a few scientific-related reports which allowed me to apply the theory that I have learned in my course and extend my knowledge further to fit the applications of the task. This has improved my research skills and my communication of scientific concepts, which will put me in great stead for the rest of my scientific career.  

I have also been offered guidance on how to structure my reports and how to overcome difficulties from my highly-experienced mentor, and this has encouraged me to think differently when approaching problems.  

How has being a JE bursary student supported your studies? 

The work experience is very open-ended, which allows me to work in different departments and also to join meetings. This kind of exposure has helped me understand the key things I want in my future career. 

Even after weeks of work experience, my colleagues encourage me to reach out if I ever need any guidance, whether it be academic or career-related, and I recognise that support is invaluable. 

What different teams and roles have you worked in at JE? 

I have previously worked with the New Product Development department where I assisted with upcoming projects. I was able to see parts of the process to launch a product, such as market research, user acceptance testing and assurance.  

That experience allowed me to learn about aspects of the business which I previously knew little about, and improved soft skills such as teamwork, time management and creative thinking. 

More recently, I have been working with Asset Management, where I have completed two scientific reports on the utility assets which are used to supply power to Jersey. I really appreciated seeing how my degree can fit into real-life, current situations. 

What do you like about work experience with JE? 

I have been able to network with colleagues who are further along the career ladder and had the opportunity to explore different career paths by working with various teams and departments. JE has a relaxed office environment with friendly people, which makes the experience very enjoyable.  

When you have completed your studies, what do you hope to do next? 

I am still exploring my options and getting as much experience as I can. However, in working with JE I have realised that I will most likely strive for a research-related job, perhaps to investigate solutions to combat climate change.