From the Sinewave Graduate Scheme to Manager: Brendan’s Story
Sinewave launched our renowned Graduate Scheme in 2022, setting out to power the industry's future.
Our first cohort started as a long list of bright candidates, but a few stood out for their fit with Sinewave’s values. One of whom was Brendan Laurence, an Engineering BA from the University of Surrey.
Applicants arrive at pivotal points in their development. Sinewave welcomes them with all the tools, advice and training needed to succeed as professionals.
How did Sinewave support your transition from education to a full-time role?
“One of the first conversations I had was with Jon Macey, Head of Design at the time. I was quite worried because I didn’t have an electrical background. The last time I did anything electrical was my physics A-Level.
Jon told me, “You’re gonna have to learn from scratch. Trust me, even if you had an electrical degree, I’d be telling you the same thing.”
As he said, I didn’t carry anything across and learned from scratch how to do my job. It’s crazy to think how much I’ve learned in the span of three years. There was a lot of learning, going the extra mile to pick up new things.
It helped that I had a great mentor. When I first started, Jon assigned me to Hugh Chambers, one of the designers at the time. Hugh really helped me through this; he still does. I called him today!
The fact that he was so willing to help me learn; basically, everything I know now comes from Mr Chambers.”
Jason Turner, our CFO, gives a talk at our Summer 25’ Standown
A fundamental part of the culture we pride ourselves on at Sinewave is the openness of our people. Our team goes above and beyond delivering their own work and takes time to get to know anyone who arrives at Sinewave. With so much know-how under one roof, we make a point to share our understanding wherever we can.
“It’s not just the work that makes you feel at home. Jason Turner, our CFO, has been amazing. He always gives me the time of day. We talk football primarily, but when it comes to work, he’ll always help if I need to understand something. I’m really so thankful to have access to these types of people.”
How did the Sinewave Graduate Scheme help to educate you on the industry?
“I didn’t know what a DNO or an IDNO was. That’s what made Hugh a good mentor – he had years of experience. The leap I took from knowing nothing to now, a lot of it is because Jon assigned me to Hugh when I first started. I’m eternally grateful for it, because I’m a little farther ahead.
A big part was learning what each department does around here; that’s an advantage that we have at Sinewave. Even if it was just for a week, I got to shadow other departments to see “What do you do?”
I was in the design team and got to understand that, when we need to order something, this is the person who does the ordering. And this is the info they need from design. You start puzzling things together. You start building a picture of how the business works. You get to see firsthand what people need to get their job done, and you get to connect with them all as well.
A big plus of the grad scheme is that you get a much better understanding of the industry, because you tend to see the process from start to finish.”
During the graduate assessment, Brendan stood out in the way that really matters at Sinewave. He was values-led, embodying Be What’s Next through his openness to learn, and #TeamSinewave in his willingness to get to know not just the business, but the people. Almost four years on, Brendan’s eagerness has helped him go from strength to strength.
Can you describe your journey through the multiple roles you’ve held at Sinewave and how you’ve ended up in your current position?
“I started as a grad. When that was done, I became a Junior Electrical Design Engineer. I was then promoted to Electrical Design Engineer, and now I’m getting to Senior Design Engineer. I’m currently on secondment as an Assistant Estimations Manager, and I’m enjoying it a lot!
Something pretty cool about the secondment is that Charles Trim, Head of Commercial, has been another mentor for me. Way back when I was a grad, I had him as a sort of mentor in general - he’s always been that for me since I started.
In passing conversations, I’d mention that I’d love to see the commercial side of the business. Now that I have a much better understanding of the design side, I want to learn about the money side.
I’m incredibly lucky to be where I’m at. The fact that I’ve been able and allowed to learn, that’s what I think a lot of people elsewhere probably don’t get. Something I’ve always praised Sinewave for is the people they hire. The people I’ve dealt with have just been genuinely good people you can talk to; it’s a vibe!”
Julia Whiteley, Head of People, at our 2024 Graduate Assessment Day
Having shadowed nearly every department in the business and been promoted several times, Brendan’s new seconded role supports a new development area for him - becoming a manager. He’ll be teaching new hires the ropes in a highly technical role. This journey perfectly sets Brendan up to support new people entering the business.
What challenges did you face as Sinewave’s first-ever entrant into the graduate scheme?
“One of the biggest ones was always being the stupid guy in the room, always having to start fresh in a new department. As much as I loved it, it does take its toll. I remember jumping on a call with our Head of People, Julia Whiteley and saying, “I’ve just got this… Why am I moving?” She’d say, “It’s going to be new, we’ll learn something new.” And I did.
I got to understand how everything connects, and I absolutely loved it. I think that’s probably my character because I like the learning aspect of it, the challenge of it.
That’s the vibe I want to bring to the team. I can try to instil that in everyone I work with; it’s a safe space. A lot of what I’m doing now is trying to replicate what was done to help me move up as quickly as I did.
So, it wasn’t all just roses. Charles Trim told me, “You don’t know this yet.” The way he phrased it was like, this is the time you mess up, learn from it. That’s the angle which I’ve tried to pick up as a manager as well.
Another drawback was being an introvert, dealing with different personalities.
Talking to people throughout the day. It’s like having a bag of coins, and the more social interaction I have, the more coins I lose. At the end of the day, I’m empty. That’s where my brain starts getting foggy, and mistakes can happen, which is something I’ve had to learn and account for.
Sinewave hires really good people, but all people are different. Learning how to manoeuvre and treat everyone as an individual will help me to be a good manager. Being aware of myself and of other people.
All of it keeps you going because you’re happy to wake up to go to work in the morning. I count myself pretty lucky, because I feel like that every day.”
Almost four years on from day one as Sinewave’s first ever graduate, Brendan finds himself with a wealth of experience and knowledge, ready to take on his own graduates as mentees. It’s a culmination of hard work that feels like a full-circle moment, but Brendan is already looking forward to a new chapter in his career at Sinewave, helping people who were exactly where he was on day one.
What advice would you give to a graduate who wants to follow in your path?
“I’d say ask as many questions as possible, especially here at Sinewave, because you can. Take advantage of that because I wish I’d asked more questions.
Pride probably gets in the way. You’re like, “I don’t want to sound stupid”, make them feel like “Who hired this idiot?” Right? But you come to realise that’s not how people think here.
Be willing to learn. At that stage, as a grad, all you have going for you is that you’re smart. You’ve shown that because you’ve gone to Uni. But what I’d be looking for is someone willing to learn, show me your willingness to learn and do the hard work. Ask as many questions as possible.
I’m a product of how everyone’s embraced me here since I started. I said this to Jason, our CFO, when I started: I’m a blank canvas; I don’t know anything about this place or the industry. What you make of me, that’s what I’ll become.
Literally, I’m the result of everyone’s help; everyone’s support. And it comes from the top, doesn’t it? The culture and everything.”
Brendan Laurence, Assistant Estimating Manager, Sinewave
Brendan is incredibly humble, recalling advice and support from his colleagues and crediting them for his success. It epitomises the approach we’ve taken to team development and the culture built. Moreover, Brendan embodies Sinewave's core values in a way that's allowed him to flourish in his own right.
Brendan emerges from the Graduate Scheme equipped with transferable, cross-functional skills that could only have been developed through his Be What’s Next mentality and continued investment from across #TeamSinewave.
Want to kickstart your career? Look at our current vacancies to find your path at Sinewave today: