Degree Apprentice Dialogues: Megan Shoebridge

E.ON is focused on leading the transition to a new, more sustainable energy world. With almost half (46%) of young people aged 16-24 saying they’d bypass traditional higher education because they want to go into a green job¹, we’re proud that our degree apprenticeship scheme offers apprentices a fantastic opportunity to study for their degree while gaining hands-on experience through a variety of placements across our organisation.

As part of our Degree Apprentice Dialogues series, we spoke to Megan Shoebridge, aged 22, who has just completed the Future Leaders degree apprenticeship while graduating with a 2:1 in Business Management from the University of Derby.

Why did you choose to work at E.ON?

I’ve always had a passion for politics and sustainability so E.ON’s strong commitment to renewable energy and the future of our planet aligned with my values and has continued to be a passion of mine throughout the past four years. The chance to work on projects that have a tangible impact on both communities and the environment is something I find incredibly motivating, whilst leading innovative discussions to drive the energy transition forward.

Can you tell us a bit about your apprenticeship placements?

Throughout the scheme, I’ve had the opportunity to explore eight business areas at E.ON, including Marketing, Finance, External Affairs and Group Sustainability. These placements have allowed me to kickstart my career and gain invaluable experience that I will utilise throughout my roles going forward.

The ability to choose my own placement pathway really allowed me to further develop my passions and gain key skills and knowledge that will allow me to pursue these areas further. Currently I work in our Energy Infrastructure Solutions Strategy Team, which has been a huge driver in my internal and external understanding of the energy market and the new energy world we’re approaching.

You’ve just completed the scheme, could you tell us about the role you’ve secured at E.ON?

I completed my course with a 2:1 in Business Management, and I’m now ready to put all the theory into practice throughout my career and my new role as a Senior Business Analyst within Smart Field Connections. I’m really excited to start my career journey and see what projects I can get involved with.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at E.ON so far?

A huge benefit to me is the company’s values and our help within communities across the UK, as a company that can really make a difference it’s great to see E.ON’s work paying off and how it’s helping customers. As well as this, I really appreciate EON’s employee culture and approach to flexible working, particularly around my degree. I’ve also loved the opportunity to visit different sites, meeting customers and attending E.ON sponsored events across the UK.

Have you experienced any challenges while undertaking your degree apprenticeship?

The biggest challenge for me was adapting to change and learning to manage my work / life / study responsibilities, but this definitely became easier as time went on as I found my feet within the organisation and my support network. It can be hard adapting to a new role every six months but it’s key to remember your teams only want you to succeed - so ask for help.  No one is expected to be an expert straight away

What advice would you give to someone considering a degree apprenticeship?

I think that the boost to your self-development and career is invaluable and will put you in a great starting position at the end of the four years in comparison to a traditional route. However, it is challenging and there will be moments you struggle with staying on top of everything – my biggest advice is that it’s okay to not know something and ask for help; no matter how silly it may feel, people only want to see you develop.

How have you found the experience of working while studying?

I joined in 2020, so Covid really caused some transitional issues for me as the whole world was trialling online studies. However as that became the new normal, I found that whilst it can be demanding, there was lots of support available through university and at E.ON to help support me through any stressful deadline or project. It has been good to directly put the theory work from university into practice straight away and do deep dives on the organisation to further develop my E.ON knowledge. 

What are your views on green jobs and skills?

Embracing green jobs is essential for building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable future. Through my experience, I've seen first-hand how integrating green skills into our work not only drives innovation but also helps us tackle climate change and create lasting positive impacts. It's about securing a future where energy is cleaner, communities are stronger and opportunities are accessible to all.

If you had to describe your time at E.ON in three words, what would they be?

Innovative, impactful, empowering.