From student to project developer: “I help launch renewable energy projects.”

Growth, fun, and friendship.

Apart from the master's courses, I also learned a lot from my peers. They came from different countries, so I could learn firsthand how their home countries approach energy and environmental management. I still keep in touch with many of my university friends; it is interesting to hear what they do. It is a range of different work that we have all gotten into. For example, one is at an energy startup, another is involved in nuclear energy, and I work on renewable energy projects. I like that about the programme: it paves the way for different career paths.

During my Bachelor’s in Environmental Science in Australia, Europe often came up in case studies for energy and environmental management best practices. After graduation, I worked as an environmental science consultant for three years. I was involved primarily in environmental approvals, waste, and contaminated land. But I wanted to gain international experience and to learn from countries leading the way in the energy transition, such as the Netherlands. The Master’s in Environmental & Energy Management was a great opportunity for me to do that.

My favourite memory is of going hiking across Norway together with my university friends. Coming from Australia, I wasn’t used to having so many nearby countries that I could travel to. Exploring Norway with friends who were also there for the first time was an experience I will never forget.

My role is to ensure renewable energy projects are ready for construction. The project I am now working on is the development of a wind farm with battery energy storage in rural Australia. It is a diverse role including coordinating contractors and team members to meet project goals. Those cover different areas, such as getting approvals, handling land issues, connecting to the grid, securing financing, community engagement, wind resource assessment, and more. I am also looking at our workforce accommodation strategy. Where can we house more than 1,000 workers in rural Australia while minimising the impact on nearby residents?

Obtaining the necessary approvals for the construction to start is one of my main responsibilities. Currently, we focus on obtaining the federal environmental approval for the potential impact on animals and plants of national environmental significance. To secure it, we need to demonstrate that we have appropriate measures to minimise environmental impact. Part of my job involves coordinating the ecologists and consultants on-site to ensure we meet all regulatory requirements and deliver the documentation needed for approval.

I am helping build Australia's renewable energy future. The wind farm we are developing has the capacity to power more than 800,000 households. Knowing I have been part of that motivates me.

When I saw the job vacancy on LinkedIn, it was for a more senior role. However, it aligned with my interests, and it seemed like what I wanted my career progression to be. So I decided to apply and eventually got another job at the company. That taught me an important lesson: if you like a certain job, apply for it even if you think you might not be a perfect fit.

A key learning from my Master’s was understanding how important the social aspect of energy projects is. It is crucial to get all stakeholders on board. If the community isn’t on board, if the landowners aren’t on board, or if the council isn’t on board, you can’t execute a project. The programme taught me to try to understand different stakeholders' perspectives. For example, some landowners might not want a wind farm in their backyard because it could ruin their scenery, and if they live next to it for 30 years, that might not be an appealing prospect. Or they might be concerned it would be noisy. That’s why it is so important to present information clearly and build trust with all stakeholders involved.

I learn something new every day as I get to be involved in different teams: a finance team, a grid team, a land team, and a community team. I am also learning to navigate the regulatory framework for wind energy development and the complexities of developing renewable energy projects, such as connecting to the grid.

It would be rewarding to lead a large-scale renewable energy project that sets high standards for environmental responsibility. I also hope to be in a role where I can mentor others and give back the support I have received from mentors along the way.

Start building your network already during your studies and stay in touch with your university friends and alumni. Also, apply for a job even if you think you don’t meet every requirement. You never know: you might land your dream job just like I did.