Natalie Bakas started her career at CitiPower Powercor twenty years ago in their engineering graduate program. Now, as Manager of Urban Programs, she heads up the team responsible for designing and delivering electricity across Melbourne CBD and surrounds.
“It’s very exciting to feel that connection to the city you live in. The idea that you’re helping build that city’s infrastructure. You can see all the big buildings going up, which wouldn’t be possible if you weren’t part of it.”
After her three-year graduate program, Natalie worked at CitiPower Powercor for two years before leaving the company to gain broader energy industry experience. Seven years ago, she returned to take up a role leading the Urban Projects team. Around 18 months ago, she was promoted to Manager of Urban Programs, leading a team of over 100 project managers and engineers:
“I had a great time working here as a graduate. After university, I traveled overseas for a year, started as a graduate engineer, and soon moved into a project manager role. I left the business to gain broader energy experience and then returned, bringing that experience and expanded skillset. It was an exciting role at a great company that did not involve travel. So it ticked a number of boxes for me personally and professionally.”
Engineering a rewarding career
In what is still considered a male-dominated industry, Natalie says she was able to transition into leadership because of the unwavering support she received from her mentors and leaders at the start of her career.
“I started as an electrical engineer and went into project leadership roles early on, which became the launchpad for my development into people leadership. Times have definitely changed, though; twenty years ago, no one wanted someone with a couple of years of experience as a project manager – you had to be male, white, and have thirty years of experience. I don’t know how I managed to convince them; perhaps it was my persistence, but they gave me a go! And that’s really what helped me launch into people leadership and helped me make the switch from a technical career.”
Once Natalie was in these roles, she undertook opportunities across a number of different departments, which helped her level up across the board. Working with a range of professionals in different areas outside of her own core experience meant she also had to keep working on her own skillset to be the leader she is today. She encourages others not to be afraid of stepping into management positions even if they’re outside of your comfort zone:
“Stepping into leadership can be daunting. It’s one thing to be a great individual contributor and have a technical perspective, but another to step up and lead a team. It’s a very different skill set. CitiPower Powercor offers extensive training opportunities, and we provide lots of safe spaces for people to grow, develop, and try things.”
Upskilling and continual learning are at the heart of CitiPower Powercor. All employees are encouraged to consider their professional development, and everyone can access a wide range of courses, training, and educational resources.
“CitiPower Powercor is the best organization I’ve worked at regarding their training offering. And you don’t need approval to do most training courses. If you can fit it in your work day, it’s pretty much: go ahead and get that under your belt!”
And when new career opportunities at the company do arise, employees know they will be fully supported to go for the role:
“All positions are advertised, giving everyone an equal opportunity to apply. If there are people we know who might not have the confidence to apply for the next step up in their career, we’ll tap them on the shoulder and encourage them to apply!”
CitiPower Powercor has promoted 32% of its female staff in the last 12 months.
Find out about this and the other ways they offer continued support to all their employees.
Changing the future
As we move towards a greener and more sustainable future, Natalie says there are more opportunities in the energy industry than ever. With a need for highly skilled people, it’s also an area where job security won’t be as affected by artificial intelligence (AI) and automation:
“With the transition to renewable and net zero, there’s a lot of work to do for many years. We’ve got more work to do than skilled people to do the work! You’re not going to be without a job or have AI and automation take over the work that you do. There’s a lot of job security.”
How CitiPower Powercor can be more sustainable is a question Natalie and her team ask themselves daily.
“We’re always thinking about the environment, how we’re leaving that behind for the next generation, and how we can contribute positively to that space. Even if it’s as simple as the materials we choose to procure and ask, are they sustainable? What’s going to happen to those materials once they’re at the end of life? Are they going to end up in landfill? Can they be repurposed, or can someone else use those materials?”
Creating a more equal workspace
Natalie shares that as a single, full-time working mum, she’s never felt this was a barrier to her success or ability to do her role effectively at CitiPower Powercor.
“I’ve never felt like it was something that should stop me from going for more senior roles. Sometimes, you do question yourself, but thanks to the support and backing from my leaders, I’ve always felt confident going after that next step in my career journey. The flexible opportunities I have available here mean I’m still doing a lot of school drop-offs and pick-ups. I attend most school events, – and I’m still effective and successful in my role. But it doesn’t always look like a standard 9-5!”
She adds that the COVID-19 was a big step towards shaking things up in this regard:
“Without that time, challenging as it was, I’m not sure I would be where I am today. Today’s hybrid-work environment, blending synchronous and asynchronous working time has allowed me to keep showing up and demonstrate that flexible working does work for employees and the business. It’s great to see things changing for both men and women in the workplace around this, and I’m definitely seeing more men benefit from this too – and we need to keep encouraging this.”
Flexibility in the workplace is a hot topic right now. With more and more organizations starting to introduce mandates for their teams to be back in the office, Natalie can’t help thinking how much this will set us back across the board:
“Having a female leader has also benefitted the men on my team. I’m not sure how much they would have spoken up, asked for more time off, or asked to step up to take on more childcare if I were a man. There are some really ingrained ideas on ‘who’ does what when it comes to men and women in the workplace and parenting or caregiving. CitiPower Powercor’s flexible policies are for all. I think this is also another way that having more women in leadership can change the conversation.”
Above all, as a manager, Natalie wants to encourage everyone to reach their full potential and will always help them strive for their goals.
“I love seeing people shine in the roles that they do. We’ve got a lot of opportunities for people across the business to try out and experiment with different types of work, especially in the leadership space.”
Making a positive impact
With her wealth of industry experience, Natalie is proud of CitiPower Powercor‘s steps to improve diversity and support greener energy initiatives. She says it’s a great time to jump on board with so much change across the sector.
“When you have moved around like I have, you start seeing the differences. We touch so many different elements of everyday life here at CitiPower Powercor, and we’re driving positive change in a sector that may not have done that well in the past. It’s very satisfying to have the opportunity to be innovative and explore new ways of tackling challenges. It’s an exciting time to be part of the industry!”
