Divya was a finalist at the 2014 Undergraduate of the Year Awards! She only applied for the practice and she now has an internship with EON!

I had just finished my winter exams and to be honest, all I could think about was relaxing with my friends and leaving my brain to rest for a couple of days. The deadline for the Undergraduate of the Year Awards was imminent and after debating with myself whether I should bother entering the competition, should I? Should I not? I took the plunge and started applying. At the end of the day, the worst thing that could happen was to be immediately rejected and even then it would be a good practice.

So I started the application, mentally exhausted from exams and not knowing what to expect. The thought of becoming Undergraduate of the Year sounded so unattainable and prestigious, I merely saw this as a practice run. The application process involved answering 3 questions about your thoughts on energy and a number of online tests. I have to say that the online test section was long but also quite entertaining, so don’t give up!

After submitting my application, I was informed I had passed the first stage of the process and would be attending an assessment centre at E.ON's Engineering Academy close to Nottingham soon after that. Both excitement and nervousness took over me, on one hand I was jumping up and down for reaching this far and to have the chance to have a “real-life” interview at one of the leading energy companies in the world, but also the thought of attending the assessment centre with all the other candidates was nerve wrecking. I kept reminding myself that this was an INCREDIBLE opportunity, a real life interview, so the more practise the better.

The assessment consisted of 3 tasks including a self-presentation, a role play and an evaluation task. I was nervous for my presentation but my interviewers made it as relaxed as possible.  The day was tough but I was really lucky to spend it with the other candidates which weren't as scary as I'd imagined. There was no competitive tension whatsoever but instead there were a lot of good vibes and lots of cooling tower selfies.

After that, everything was a win-win, I'd gained experience from a 7 hour assessment centre with some of the brightest students in the country and I would be receiving feedback from my interviewers. So even if I didn't continue to the final, that alone was already a great achievement.

My surprise exploded when I got the very much awaited telephone call informing me that I had made it to the final 10 candidates and received my invitation to a lunch event at Canary Wharf with Sir Trevor McDonald! The day was incredible, the location, the atmosphere, the food. It was a moment to remember in every way. I met some of the other E.ON managers and shared a great lunch with them (as well as many pictures!) After our three course meal, the winner was announced. Unfortunately I didn’t win the competition, but what was to come made up for any disappointment.

I left that day with a big smile on my face and a huge sense of accomplishment. All of this was happening because I took a couple of hours back in January to complete the application, it would have been so easy to ignore, but I didn’t and there I was in the middle of Canary Wharf with an amazing experience behind my back.

The most important thing I'll take with me from this event is to believe in myself, you are the only one standing on the way of your dreams so just take a couple minutes and apply, because this competition can give you a lot of great surprises.

Through this competition I am now going to start an internship with E.ON, in the performance team which is exactly what I wanted to do! This competition has brought me a step closer to my professional dreams in the energy industry, something I couldn't have even imagined when I shyly applied thinking I wouldn't even pass the first stage.

So if you are reading this, if not you, then who is going to be the next Engineering Undergraduate Of The Year?

Divya Hariramani, Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award Finalist

Mechanical Engineering, University of Nottingham

As Divya says, what have you got to lose! Applications are open now for the Engineering Undergraduate of the Year!

Although Kris didn't win the Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award 2014, he tells us about his experience and new opportunities that have come his way!

The first I heard about the award was at the start of January when I received a call asking if I would be interested in applying. The call came as a shock, E.ON wanted me to apply For the Engineering Undergraduate of the Year Award? I pondered over whether to apply or not for the next week before deciding there was nothing to lose in doing so. Looking back I am so glad that I did!

The first stage was relatively straightforward and involved completing an online form along with some focused questions surrounding the energy industry. I would strongly suggest taking the time to research before doing them as it was hugely helpful in preparing answers. This was followed by a set of online tests similar to ones I have completed when applying for internships.

A couple of weeks later an email arrived informing me I had been selected to go through to the next stage and that E.ON would be in touch about whether I had made it through to the assessment centre. I was ecstatic to have even made it through to this stage. The wait for E.ON to get back to me was close to 2 months and I had almost resigned myself to the fact I hadn’t got through.

Half way through March, out of the blue, I received a call informing me I had been selected to attend an assessment centre for the award. It was such a surprise and things were only going to get better!

The assessment centre was held at the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station near Nottingham. E.ON were great hosts and while the day was challenging, it was a great chance to learn more about the company as well as meet some of the management as well. I would strongly advise again that time is taken to learn about E.ON and what they do before the assessment day as it was a key feature of the day. After two long drawn out weeks I got the call informing me I had made it to the final. I haven’t smiled so much for a long time!

The awards ceremony came round very quickly. It was a 4am start travelling down from Scotland but it is definitely the most awake and excited I have been for a long time, almost as exciting as Christmas Day! Canary Wharf was very impressive and we were met with a champagne reception and the chance to meet other finalists from the other awards. It was also a great chance to meet the other finalists for my category and some of the managers from E.ON as well. The main awards ceremony was presented by Sir Trevor McDonald which was inspirational. One by one each award was read out along with the list of finalists. I was delighted that Sir Trevor McDonald had read out my name! Sadly though it was not to be and I didn't walk away with the award.

I may not have won the award but I found the experience very rewarding and allowed me to further develop myself. E.ON offered me a placement as a result of the assessment centre so there are other opportunities that could present themselves to you after taking part in the awards. I'm now spending 6 months working for Rolls-Royce and never thought I would be in the position where I would be offered two different placements by large prestigious companies such as E.ON and Rolls-Royce.

Thinking of applying? Stop thinking and get over to the website to start your application. You have nothing to lose and you could be sitting there next year listening to your name being read out as one of the finalists! Good luck!