Skip to content

Josephine Quantrill

from Pharmacy Assistant to Renewable Energy Graduate
I assist a range of teams to deliver renewable energy to Australians
Industry
Energy, gas and oil
Company
Iberdrola Australia
Job Level
Entry

Ask me about

  • How to decide on which career aligns with your values
  • How to navigate the pressure of deciding your career in high school
  • How to cultivate persistence and self-confidence while at uni and work
  • What it's like being in a graduate program

About me

After leaving school I had no clue what I wanted to do as a career! I took two years off study and worked in my hometown in Far North Queensland, surrounded by the beautiful natural environment. During this time, I came to the decision that I wanted to put my energy into helping the planet. I got accepted to the University of Queensland and completed a four-year honours degree in Environmental Management. While studying at university, I had the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in construction and resource development, which I found very rewarding. However, I sensed my passion lay elsewhere. Fast forward to today I now work on renewable energy projects at Iberdrola Australia and absolutely love it!

About my role

  • Flexible
  • Humorous
  • Perfectionist
  • Personable
  • Resourceful

Graduates at a renewable energy company have the opportunity to rotate through different teams every six months during their first two years. These rotations span a variety of areas, from assisting with site feasibility studies for potential renewable projects to assisting with daily operations of established sites, and many roles in between. Other important facilitating roles exist within a renewable energy company, and graduates can contribute to sustainability initiatives, engage with local communities, and support technical assessments to name a few. The role offers new challenges and learning experiences every day, making it both dynamic and rewarding. To make the most out of a graduate role, persistence and a 'can do' attitude is a must!

Education

  • Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours)

Subjects

  • Art
  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Legal Studies
  • Science

Awards

  • University of Queensland Bachelor of Environmental Management (Honours Class 1)

Hobbies

  • Beach adventures
  • Reading
  • Running
  • Seeing family and friends
  • Yoga

15 year old me!!

“Take your time to make big decisions (but remember to ultimately go with your gut), say yes to every opportunity that aligns with your values, and take time to relax (it's very important)!”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Had a two-year gap year
  2. Reflected on what career I wanted
  3. Took the leap and moved cities
  4. Graduated from University of Queensland
  5. Jumped into the working world

My typical day

My employer

Iberdrola Australia has a 20-year history leading Australia's energy transition, blending local expertise with the global leadership of Iberdrola Group in renewables and network operations. We have a team of over 300 employees in Australia, and over 42,000 globally - the company operates in Europe, the United States, Brazil, Mexico and Australia. Iberdrola is a leader in clean energy and is one of the world’s largest electricity utilities. Iberdrola is dedicated to fostering positive social impacts, ensuring that our projects provide genuine social value an set the standard for innovation social practices.