Careers
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About Rose Griffin | Network technician
Rose Griffin works as a network technician for ESB. She joined the company following her Leaving Cert. The apprenticeship took four years and combined on-the-job training with off-the-job lectures and exams. Having completed her apprenticeship, she successfully applied for a permanent position with ESB.
Interview
How did you go about getting your current job?
I saw a poster on the notice board in my school when I was in 6th year and I thought, yeah that job looks like something I'd want to work at. So I filled out an application form, then I got called for an aptitude test, along with hundreds of other hopefuls. Once I got past the aptitude test, I had an interview, and then as they say, the rest is history.
What are the main tasks and responsibilities of your job?
The tasks of an network technician can be anything from fitting a meter into a little house out in the countryside somewhere, to climbing a pole for the purpose of building a new section of line, terminating high tension cables into a sub-station to supply a new shopping centre or getting called to a customer that has no supply, and having to find and fix the fault. Really, every day is different.
Safety plays a big part in the ESB, and rightly so because when you are working for the ESB and working with electricity every day, you are responsible for your own safety, the safety of your work colleagues around you and also the safety of the public.
Does your job allow you to have a career you are happy with?
ESB is a great place to work if you want a good work/life balance. Within ESB, there are regular social events like football and soccer tournaments, walking trips, and weekends away.
The company also offers work/life balance leave to employees. You can take from 6 - 20 weeks continuous time off, and you can use this time to fulfil a range of needs such as travel, personal development or education.
What subjects did you take in school and how have these influenced your career path?
I did English, Irish and Maths, and then Geography, Agricultural science and Construction studies. Studying Construction studies definitely influenced my career path. It helps you to become a more practical minded person, and you get good at working with your hands.
What kinds of work experience would provide a good background for this position?
You should try to gain experience working in a job that is mainly outdoors. Also, a manual job that has you working with your hands would be of benefit.
Working in the public eye and dealing with the public would also help you gain some useful experience, because dealing with customers plays a big role when you are working as a NT in the ESB.
What advice would you give someone considering this job?
In school you should try do a practical subject and get used to working with your hands. Physics is another subject that would be of benefit. It would help in the theory exams that you complete after each of the off-the-job training modules.