From Waste Water to Renewables:
My Summer Internship - Harry Atkin

We caught up with Harry Atkin, a Chemical Engineering student, who spent his summer interning with us. Here’s his story of discovering a career in renewables…

I’ve just finished my third year at the University of Edinburgh. Before heading into my final year, I wanted to gain hands-on experience in the renewables sector – not just to build skills for my future, but to see what working in a professional environment is really like.

That’s what led me to Scottish Water where I spent the summer with the Horizons’ Heat from Waste Water team. It’s been a brilliant experience that’s given me a real sense of how exciting and important this sector is.

Diving into projects

One of the most rewarding parts of my time here was the variety of projects I got involved in. I helped map heat opportunities linked to the public waste water network, which was a fantastic way to learn.

I also researched the efficiency of sewer heat recovery by calculating ‘Coefficient of Performance’ (a way of measuring how efficiently a heat pump operates), producing guidance documents, and explored government investment plans for renewable heat.  On top of that, I helped with a grant application that gave me a real insight into the commercial side of projects.

It wasn’t all desk work though. I had the chance to visit three different waste water treatment works across Scotland, each on a different scale. Seeing the sites up close helped me understand the operational side of things and really brought home the importance of what Scottish Water does.

What I’ve learned

Looking back, these three months have taught me a lot. I’ve learned how to work confidently in a professional setting, engage with colleagues and stakeholders, and approach challenges with curiosity. Asking questions turned out to be one of the best ways to grow.

I also discovered just how many different career paths there are within renewables, from hands-on engineering to project and stakeholder management.  And while some of the technical aspects were difficult at first, having the time, support, and space to work through problems gave me a real boost in confidence.

Beyond the office

The variety didn’t stop at work. I volunteered at the Royal Highland Show, helping with the Top Up Tap stand, which was a great way to connect with the public and see how the work Scottish Water does affect everyday life.

When I wasn’t working, I explored Scotland. I’m a big fan of hiking – a week in Skye and trips into the Cairngorms made for some amazing memories. I also play rugby, spend time with friends, and hope to travel more widely in the future (Mongolia is top of my list!).

Advice to future interns

For anyone thinking about applying for an internship, my advice is simple – go for it!  Don’t be afraid to ask questions and use your initiative. Every question helps you learn more and get the most out of the experience.

As I head back to Edinburgh for my final year, I’m taking with me more than just technical knowledge but the confidence and inspiration from being part of a team making a difference in renewables. My time at Scottish Water has shown me this is a career path worth following.