As part of her placement programme, Iqra works as a Freight Back Office Analyst at RWE and quickly became an integral part of the trading operations team. She shares what made her onboarding experience so positive, how the buddy system supports her day-to-day – and why flexibility makes a real difference.

How does the onboarding look like?

The onboarding at RWE was really smooth and organised. Before my first day, my manager and some team members reached out on LinkedIn, which was such a nice touch and made me feel really welcome. In my first week, I had induction sessions to get to know the company better and learn the systems I’d be using daily. My team was super supportive and encouraged me to ask as many questions as I needed, which made a big difference. I was also lucky to have a buddy during my probation period (and even after!), which was great because I always had someone to go to whenever I needed help.

What do you like most about your placement as a Freight Back Office Analyst?

What I enjoy most about my role is how much I’ve learned in such a short time. Freight trading moves fast, and working in the Back Office means I get to make sure everything behind the scenes runs smoothly. I work a lot on settlements and amendments, which keeps me engaged and has really helped me develop problem-solving skills. It’s satisfying knowing that what I do has a direct impact on trading operations. Plus, my team is incredibly supportive and they’re always happy to help and willing to share their knowledge, which has made the whole experience even better. It has been a great environment to develop both professionally and personally.

What kind of flexibility do you have in your placement programme at RWE?

The flexibility at RWE is one of the things I really appreciate as I am very involved in different societies and have a lot going outside work. I work on a hybrid schedule, so I can do a few days from home, which makes a big difference. There’s also a lot of trust, if I need to adjust my hours for something, my team is understanding as long as the work gets done. It’s a nice balance because I can stay productive without feeling stuck to a rigid schedule.
 

What does the buddy system look like?

The buddy system is such a big help when you’re new. My buddy had been in a similar position before, so they knew exactly what kind of questions I’d have and were always happy to help. From the start, they were really approachable and gave me practical advice on everything from systems to how to manage my day-to-day tasks. They also made sure I wasn’t overwhelmed and regularly checked in to see how I was doing, which was really reassuring. Even after my probation period, I still go to them for advice, whether it’s about improving processes or navigating tricky situations. Having someone who’s already in the role to guide me has been a huge help and really made me feel part of the team from day one.