TotalEnergies Graduate Programs: Four Tracks for Recent Graduates

TotalEnergies, one of the world’s largest energy companies, runs structured graduate programs lasting 18 to 30 months. Recruitment happens on a rolling basis through the company’s official careers portal.

There are four main tracks: Engineers and Scientists, Trading, Renewables and Power, and the Young Graduate Program in Africa. More than 700 graduates have gone through these programs since 2014. If you are a recent graduate wondering which track fits you, read on.

The key details at a glance

The four tracks, explained simply

The Engineers and Scientists track is for recent graduates from engineering schools or universities. You work on technical challenges across the company’s operations, from exploration to new energies.

The Trading track is for graduates with a master’s or equivalent in engineering, mathematics, financial markets, or energy management. It leads into the fast-moving world of energy trading.

The Renewables and Power track targets master’s-level graduates from engineering or business schools, with a focus on energy, sustainable development, or corporate social responsibility. This is the track for the energy transition.

The Young Graduate Program in Africa is different from the rest. It is open to African graduates aged 26 or under with a university degree. The program runs 6 months in your home country followed by 12 months abroad. Notably, 71 percent of its participants have been recruited by the company afterwards.

What a “graduate program” actually means

A graduate program is not a normal entry-level job. It is a structured 18 to 30 months of rotations, training, and mentoring, designed to turn a recent graduate into a professional the company wants to keep. You are hired as an employee, not an intern.

The numbers suggest it works. More than 700 graduates have completed these programs since 2014, and the Africa track’s 71 percent recruitment rate is unusually transparent — most companies do not publish that figure.

Which track fits you

Match your degree to the track. Engineering or science degree: Engineers and Scientists. Strong maths or finance background with energy interest: Trading. Engineering or business master’s with a sustainability focus: Renewables and Power.

African graduates aged 26 or under should look closely at the Young Graduate Program in Africa. The 6-plus-12-month structure gives you home-country grounding before an international assignment — a thoughtful design for early careers.

You should probably not apply if:

• You graduated many years ago — these programs target recent graduates.
• For the Africa track: you are over 26 or do not hold a university degree.
• You want a short internship — these are 18 to 30 month commitments.

An honest note on competition

Graduate programs at multinationals like TotalEnergies attract thousands of applications for limited places. The structured format and the brand name make them among the most competitive entry routes in the energy sector.

That should not stop you — but it should shape your application. Apply early when a track opens, tailor your CV to the track’s focus, and use your motivation letter to show genuine interest in energy, not just in a big company name.

How to apply

Applications go through the TotalEnergies careers portal, where you can search open opportunities by keyword, domain, country, and experience level. Each posting carries its own deadline, and recruitment is rolling — but note that some tracks are listed as closed at certain times. Check the portal for what is currently open.

Prepare a CV that highlights your degree, any internships, and international or project experience. Graduate programs select for potential as much as experience, so show curiosity and drive, not just grades.

More graduate careers at global companies: the Siemens Graduate Program in Spain and Apple Software and Services careers.

Questions applicants ask