One day in the life of Jorn de Potter, project leader in electrical installations

Jorn de Potter, project leader in electrical installations, tells us all about his career path and what you might expect in the daily work life of an engineer at Tractebel.

Jorn, when and why did you join Tractebel?

When I graduated from school at HoGent, finding a job in my field was not an easy task at this time. A friend of mine, who worked at Tractebel, told me that there were some open positions, and that I should take a look at the vacancies. This is what I did, so I decided to apply for the position of design engineer in electricity, and here I am!
17 years later, I am now project leader electrical installation and team leader in the electricity department in Ghent.

What does a typical day looks like for you?

Our days usually turn around working on the client needs, which means, meetings with the client and/or contractors, discussing their needs and translating them to technical documents (technical specifications, bill of quantities, schematics, technical drawings, budget estimations, feasibility studies…).
All these needs must remain in accordance with the specific and applicable standards and coordinated with other departments. An efficient internal and external collaboration is essential, we work closely on a daily basis with various engineers and designers, as well as with other third parties (suppliers, contractors...) in order to be able to execute the study work as requested by the client.

It is also sometimes a challenge to propose the best possible offer with a competitive price while being profitable for the company at the same time.

And we should not forget that Covid had a huge impact on our way of working, but in my opinion, it changed in a positive way. Before the pandemic, telework was seen differently, it was thought to be less efficient, while it has been proved over the last two years that it can be even more efficient and time saving for most of us. It is a win-win situation: less commuting time, better work-life balance, easier contact with colleagues abroad, and even sometimes easier contact with the client.
But we should not forget that as human beings, face-to-face interactions are crucial. It creates a connection that cannot be compared to remote contacts. Everything needs to be well-balanced.

What is a career milestone you are proud of?

I am more proud of my career in general, of all that it has brought me. After just a few years, I was able to manage projects autonomously, mainly thanks to my colleagues who have taught me a lot over the years.
Completing projects from the first contact with the client, over to the design stage, to the supervision on site and finally hand over the project to the client is very satisfying. Especially when you receive appreciation from the client. Without our clients, we wouldn’t exist, they are our most valuable assets. I love to be in contact with them, understand their needs and create this relationship to translate what they want to concrete projects. Knowing and understanding customers’ needs is at the center of every successful business.

What are your career dreams for the future?

I really see myself continuing to work on the development of new technologies and innovations that will result in more sustainable projects. Engineers play a leading role in the field of environmental change. I know it can sound a bit woolly but we try to create a better future for everybody. Being involved in worthwhile projects which impact the world and people’s everyday lives is priceless.

Do you have any advice for someone looking to pursue a career in the engineering industry?

Behave like a sponge! A non-stop learning attitude and a healthy interest in technical matters is important. Gather as much information as you can. Becoming a successful and experienced engineer is also mainly due to the fact that you learn and evolve every day of your career.
The people you come across in your professional life have all kinds of experience and knowledge in many different aspects of the engineering and execution industry. They are an open-source of information at your disposal. Keep your eyes open for technical evolutions and have a broad vision.
Besides the attitude, being able to work in a team is very important as mentionned earlier, not only for the projects themselves but also for your own development. You should also never forget that you’re not alone in your job. The whole Tractebel family is getting your back, you can count on your colleagues for technical and management support. There is always a helping hand nearby, this is what I love at Tractebel.

Curious about engineering opportunities or other careers at Tractebel? Click here to see our current job openings.