A greener and brighter B.C. begins with you
Ever wonder how to make a better world your life's work? Explore real stories, career ideas, and special activities to find out.
Hear their stories
Hear their stories
Hear their stories
By now, you’re probably wondering...
What skills do I need to develop?
Click to reveal the answerCommunication, time management, safety, leadership, resilience, organization, problem solving, and critical thinking were all mentioned by employees in a variety of jobs as being helpful now.
Click to flip backWhat are the job outlooks at BC Hydro?
Click to reveal the answerThere's a lot of different jobs, such as working on power systems, fixing power lines, or designing new ways to deliver electricity to homes and businesses. There's more beyond trades, too.
Click to flip backWhat other opportunities are there for me while working at BC Hydro?
Click to reveal the answerThere are a lot of great employee networks to participate in as well as many opportunities for deeper learning, professional and personal development, and career explorations within BC Hydro.
Click to flip backWhat courses should I take in high school and university to prepare myself for a job at BC Hydro?
Click to reveal the answerPre-calculus math 11/12, physics 11/12, English 11/12, computer science, chemistry, communications, accounting, leadership, business. For skilled trades, consider a Foundations Program.
Click to flip backWhat schools should I look at applying to if I want to work at BC Hydro in the future?
Click to reveal the answerBCIT, KPU, SFU, UBC, TRU to name a few. Explore the job postings for specific education requirements and find post secondary institutions in BC that offer those programs.
Click to flip backWhat jobs are there beyond trades at BC Hydro?
Click to reveal the answerLots! For example: project management, environmental stewardship, communications & marketing, customer service, finance, HR, safety, admin, IT, community outreach, meteorology, legal, & more.
Click to flip backWhat kind of salary and benefits are there?
Click to reveal the answerPay depends on the role, but expect a comfortable income that supports a middle-class lifestyle. It also means job stability, great benefits, extra vacation days, and a solid pension plan.
Click to flip backAre there paid training programs or co-op work terms?
Click to reveal the answerYes – there are apprenticeships, technologist trainee programs, engineer-in-training opportunities and co-op work terms. A paid, try-a-trade program for Indigenous candidates, too.
Click to flip backBig ideas for classrooms
Teachers play a huge role in shaping the next generation of problem-solvers. Use these activities to spark curiosity and action.
Workplace safety
Youth will learn to stay safe in the workplace.
Contracts Professional
The foundation of my work is identifying contractor eligibility for contract changes, supporting our contract decision makers with contract clauses and justifications for our position (I'm an influencer!), communicating regularly with our teams to maintain an understanding of the work, going to site to see the work, and processing changes and payments. Additionally, I love problem solving and public speaking, so I like to identify process improvements, work with others to find a solution, then present the findings so others can learn too.
Behind the scenes
I pursued science during my first year of university before pursuing my love of history. Now, I get to combine interests through direct involvement with reconciliation efforts in a technical environment through supporting station upgrades that will reduce diesel reliance for remote First Nations communities.
How it takes shape
Education and skill development
A Bachelor of Arts in History and English sharpened my attention to detail, critical thinking, and communication skills. Supplementing this with a contracts diploma has provided a strong foundation for my role.
Gaining experience
My BC Hydro career started at a visitor center. As a tour guide, I started working on my public speaking skills, which has created exceptional opportunities for me since.
Network and mentorship opportunities
The Women's Network and the Women in Construction groups at BC Hydro have been meaningful spaces of support while working in an often-male dominated sector.
Senior Key Account Manager - Health Sector
As the Senior Key Account Manager for the health care sector, I liaise with health authorities in British Columbia. I collaborate daily with BC Hydro-funded energy managers to identify efficiency and low-carbon electrification options for health care facilities. With record levels of health care investments, I also work with distribution design teams to connect new facilities to our clean, renewable electrical grid.
Behind the scenes
I build relationships, internally and externally, which helps me in customer-facing roles. My communications and Site C Project experience gave me an understanding of BC Hydro's business and provided insights into major infrastructure projects.
How it takes shape
Education and skill development
Having a degree in political science and having spent my entire career in the public sector has given me great insight into the health care sector.
Gaining experience
I have honed my public speaking skills in this role, having presented to facilities management teams for various health authorities, and co-presented at a large annual health care conference.
Network and mentorship opportunities
This role offers great networking opportunities. It involves a lot of customer interaction and working with engineers and consultants who develop and implement energy efficiency projects.
SFO Operations Senior Area Manager
I manage departments in the operations group that are responsible for the maintenance and operations of substation and generation plants as well as the teams that commission and integrate new equipment in those facilities. I also chair the Technical Working groups that work between Engineering, Asset Planning and Operations to solve challenges that we mutually share. I am also responsible for the SPOT robotics program in BC Hydro.
Behind the scenes
I review film scores for the Recording Academy and I design and build Batman suits and participate in events at Ronald McDonald House and BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver.
How it takes shape
Education and skill development
I have a Bachelor and Masters Degrees in Mathematics. Courses in computer science, physical chemistry, thermodynamics, physics and sociology have also been beneficial in my role.
Gaining experience
I performed research at the Earthquake Centre in San Francisco, worked in Communications and Intelligence for the Department of National Defense and have taught Engineering mathematics at UC Berkeley.
Network and mentorship
I get to develop new managers, tour folks from many departments, institutions and organizations in our Vancouver based substations and mentor a grad student co-op student in my department.
Key Account Manager
No two days are ever the same. I manage two Key Account customer portfolios: Mining and Mid-Industrial F&B. Ensuring a top-notch customer experience is my highest priority. Most days, you'll find me in client meetings or internal team discussions covering how to support our customers with the energy efficiency goals and projects. When I'm not in meetings, I’m visiting customer sites and facilities or attending conferences. I get to work with all aspects of the company.
Behind the scenes
My journey to becoming a Key Account Manager began somewhat unexpectedly. I was working in the golf industry (yes, as a golf professional) when this opportunity arose. My passion for people, service, and building relationships has helped me develop the customer service skills needed to provide our customers with an excellent experience.
How it takes shape
Education and skill development
I earned my Bachelor of Management as a working adult, and it was a long but fulfilling journey that I'm proud to share. My degree, and various roles at BC Hydro, has given me the knowledge and experience to advance my career.
Gaining experience
Having multiple roles within different departments has been valuable to me. While not every job may be the one you want or end goal, treating each role as a learning opportunity provides value and purpose to your work.
Network opportunities
I’ve built part of my network by playing hockey with a group of employees. The number of times I've needed something or been asked, "Do you know __?" and been able to say, "I play hockey with them!" has been incredible and strategically very helpful.
Indigenous Coordinator
I work to deliver employment and training initiatives to support Indigenous work opportunities.
Behind the scenes
I love meeting and speaking with people of any ages and learning from them. I think the manager noticed these abilities and that helped me to enter this position.
How it takes shape
Education and skill development
Bachelor of Arts with majors in Anthropology and Indigenous Women Studies classes helped me to acquire my current position.
Gaining experience
I participated in the yearly Indigenous scholarship review committee and also helped to deliver the Indigenous Relations content of the New Onboarding Orientation meetings.
Network and mentorship opportunities
Being part of the Women's Network, Cultural Exchange Network, Health & Wellness Committee at BC Hydro has allowed me to network with people all across the organization.
Senior Safety Advisor
In a regular day, I help BC Hydro employees to meet their regulatory requirements for workplace health and safety. I lead in providing advice and consultation about WorkSafe BC requirements for the work we do. I also work on areas where we lag behind by investigating serious safety incidents to determine cause and develop corrective actions that prevent them in the future.
Behind the scenes
I have a huge passion for understanding how things work and how to make them work. I love to solve problems and be part of making the workplace better, and these passions have led me into my current role.
How it takes shape
Education and skill development
My diploma in marketing has helped me to communicate what safety compliance means and why it matters. I also completed my Canadian Registered Safety Professional designation, which tested my knowledge of occupational health and safety.
Gaining experience
I started my career as a telecommunication maintenance technician and then went to school. After completing school I worked on large infrastructure projects, in government, oil and gas, and mining, in Canada and abroad.
Network and mentorship opportunities
I have been a member and board member in the Canadian Society of Safety Engineers for over a decade, which is an important place to connect with other safety professionals.
