Now is a great time to be starting out in energy. The shifting nature of the energy industry, partly because of a transition to low-carbon sources of power, is offering young people an additional advantage.

Nicolas Manea points out that his role as NESO (National Energy System Operator) Distributed Flexibility Strategy Lead involves lots of innovation and change. ‘That creates a level of discomfort and [uncertainty]. But this is very fruitful in the long-term, as the energy sector gives the young professionals a fantastic opportunity to work today on the problems that will shape the whole world tomorrow.’

That same opportunity has not escaped the notice of Marta Oliveira, a Senior Associate at Ikigai Capital, the co-development arm funding and managing behind-the-meter sustainable solutions. She says: ‘It really matters to me that I’m able to learn from senior [colleagues], but also be heard on my specialisms. The power dynamics around knowledge have changed in the last years for the energy/net-zero industry. The knowledge in the market is not based in experience alone, as there are new technologies and markets being deployed in which junior people may have more specific knowledge.’

In response, Oliveira, on top of acting as Chair of the London chapter of the Energy Institute’s Young Professional Network (YPN), has become a lecturer, teaching net-zero topics to energy professionals. That role has allowed her to raise her profile with senior connections in the industry.

It never hurts to know your stuff. Shamus Hardie, a Senior Analyst at Canada’s Inter Pipeline, says he is pleased to get on well with his leaders. But it goes beyond that, he says: ‘I don’t know many 34-year-olds who have had the right opportunities afforded to go beyond interacting with their direct managers and establish professional relationships at the executive level. It has taken me time to build up my knowledge, expertise and confidence. Early into my career, I recognised that if you put in the work, do a lot of research reading on your subject, you can become the "go-to" person quickly.’

Having joined the Young Professionals Committee of the global energy sector association WPC Energy (a partner of the Energy Institute) during the pandemic, Hardie now serves on the Future Leaders Board of the Canadian chapter, and chairs the global Young Professionals Committee. It is a role that has enabled him to meet senior executives, one of whom is the Chairman of one of Canada’s largest oil company. ‘I would never have had the chance to meet and by monitored by someone like that [otherwise],’ Hardie admits.

Participating in virtual social networks can prove powerful as well, points out Sasha Vaswani, who currently works in the graduate scheme in Shell’s onshore renewable generation business. She explains: ‘Sometime last year, I started using LinkedIn to express my passion for the “just energy transition” and highlight causes within the space that I thought were interesting and needed more attention. What I hadn’t considered – in the slightest – was the response to this endeavour of mine. It was overwhelmingly positive. I began connecting with hundreds of passionate energy professionals, keeping my cool through debates in the comment sections, getting invites to speak at events, visiting clean energy and conservation sites, and reaching over 250,000 people!’

The importance of taking part or ‘joining the conversation’, was also picked up by Manea, who also acts as Vice President of the EI’s South Western and South Wales YPN. His advice is simple: always try to keep the conversation going. He says: ‘I have always reached out to people and asked a lot of questions, and when people see your interest and energy they always reciprocate. I constantly communicate with our head of department, and I always seek to understand the work that other departments are doing… Be energetic, keep everyone close to you and always keep the conversation going. Don’t feel that if you don’t know all the details you should not be proactive and talk. The chance is that nobody in the room knows all the details.’

Also emphasising the importance of human bonding is Karolina Zieba AMEI, Offshore Wind Associate at the Carbon Trust. She says that: ‘[Good relationships at work are] one of the most important things to me in a job. I spend so much time with my team and I am very people oriented. Feeling like I belong to a community is very important. I am lucky to have this relationship with my team.’ She strengthens bonds with colleagues – senior and junior – in simple ways. ‘I’ve put my hand up when they have asked for help. I try to come to the office and join my team for lunch. I try to work with them like they are people – like me – rather than just employees.’

Note: In 2021, when the UK hosted COP26, the Energy Institute launched the ‘Generation 2050’ campaign to capture the perspectives of those just starting out in industry, some of whom would be in senior leadership positions at the time the UK officially becomes net zero. Now, we continue the initiative by exploring the issues faced by young professionals working in the energy sector.

The Energy Institute Young Professionals Network has 10 branches around the UK, and three in the world (Africa, Middle East, Hong Kong). To get involved, go to https://www.energyinst.org/ei-near-me

• Further reading: ‘Generation 2050: When work isn’t enough’. Three prominent members of the EI’s Young Professionals Networks explain why they volunteer.
• Having realised there was no Energy Institute Young Professional Network local to his West Midlands home, AbdulHameed Raji set up a new branch. Such enterprise typifies the attitude of this dynamic engineer, who explains how he came to the Energy Institute, and the energy industry, in the first place.