Ekke Jaak Valge: The internship gave me confidence that my knowledge can be applied in the working world

The story of Ekke Jaak Valge, winner of the higher education category in the “Best Internship 2025” competition organized by the Eesti Tööandjate Keskliit, confirms that a well-structured internship can be a defining experience in shaping career choices. As a second-year student interning at Elering, the young engineer had the opportunity to work with critical processes of the electrical system and experience how his knowledge creates real value. Practical responsibility, mentor support, and inclusion in the team gave him the confidence to move forward with his choices.

According to Elering, Ekke Jaak Valge stood out during his internship for his strong analytical skills, technical knowledge, rapid learning ability, and independence. His supervisor, Kaarel Beljaev, noted that while working with him, it was often easy to forget he was an intern, as his thinking and approach to problem-solving were already at the level of an experienced engineer.

Ekke Jaak Valge explains in an Estonian-language interview on Personaliuudised how the internship gave him confidence in his choices and helped him understand where to go next.

I wanted to keep my future options as open as possible

I chose applied physics because I wanted to keep my future options as open as possible. Even before starting university, I knew I was interested in engineering, but I didn’t want to limit myself to a narrow field too early. Physics provides a strong foundation that allows me to make a more informed specialization choice during my master’s studies.

What I appreciate most is the learning approach itself. We don’t memorize things; instead, we build our knowledge on a mathematical foundation and proofs. This develops creative thinking and the ability to solve more complex problems. In my view, a very strong mathematical foundation is the most distinctive feature of applied physics, and in this respect it differs from other programs at Tallinn University of Technology. It’s difficult to acquire independently, but that’s exactly what gives an advantage in the job market.

Internship at the Heart of the Power System

I found the internship through recommendations from my fellow students. At first, I was concerned that the energy sector might be a closed circle, mainly open to electrical engineering students. However, the internship quickly showed that this assumption wasn’t true—of the seven interns at the company at the same time, only two were studying energy engineering.

I worked in the real-time control center. My main task was developing a forecasting system for mFRR (manual Frequency Restoration Reserve). This is a critical process for maintaining balance in the electrical system—when there is a shortage or surplus, power plants (gas, hydro, solar) must be activated, or demand-side solutions must be used to regulate the load.

Elering also organized site visits for interns—we visited the Kiisa power plant and the Estlink interconnectors. Together with my supervisor, I visited substations and saw firsthand how a dispatcher’s command turns into physical action at a power facility.

The mentor is the most important

For me, the mentor is the most important person during an internship. They are the one who passes on a passion for the field and helps the intern truly understand the work.

My collaboration with my supervisor, Kaarel Beljaev, was very good. Although our working hours didn’t always overlap—I worked a standard 9–5 schedule while he worked shifts—he always found time to review my work and provide feedback. He often did this even outside his working hours, just to see how I was doing and to support me when needed.

I was included in the team’s activities right from the start. Already on my third day, I took part in the department’s summer event. This kind of open atmosphere and direct communication with colleagues immediately created a pleasant working environment. From my own experience, I can say that when interns are socially included, work-related collaboration also becomes much more confident and effective.

The internship gave me confidence

Elering set very high standards—in terms of the work environment, support, and overall attitude. The internship gave me the confidence that my theoretical knowledge is applicable and valuable in the real world.

Winning the “Best Internship 2025” competition was a great recognition for me. Even being nominated meant a lot, as it showed that my contribution was noticed and valued. The win was the cherry on top and confirmed that I am on the right path with my choices.

Recommendations for interns

• Be open to everything new! Even if a field seems unfamiliar or “not your thing” at first, give it a chance.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions! This is your time to learn. Asking shows interest and engagement.
• Communicate and network! Talk to people in informal settings, take part in events, and make use of everyday interactions. Summer events and shared lunches are the best way to understand how a company truly operates and what its internal culture is like.

Recommendations for employers

• Find a motivated mentor! A mentor must genuinely want to teach. Involve them already in the recruitment process so that a good connection is established from the very first meeting.
• Show the “big picture”! Elering’s introductory program, where different units explained their work, was invaluable. An intern should not remain in a narrow box—they need to understand why their work is important to the system.
• Provide real application! An internship must be more than observation—it has to be practical. Give the intern responsibility and real tasks; this creates value for both the student and the company.

The article was published in Estonian on the Personaliuudised website.