I will always have energy transition and climate change in mind, and am in awe and full admiration of people who commit their lives and careers to the cause.
Albin Jagoda
Jagoda was involved with ECET from its early days and went on to become the initiator of the Erasmus Energy Club and President of its first board.
At ECET, we want to put the people who help shape our community in the spotlight. In this series, we speak with students, alumni and partners about their experiences, perspectives and the role ECET has played in their journey.
Jagoda was involved with ECET from its early days and went on to become the initiator of the Erasmus Energy Club and President of its first board. What started as her first professional experience alongside her studies in International Business Administration at RSM became an opportunity to build a student community around the energy transition from the ground up.
For Jagoda, the experience was not only about learning more about the energy transition, but also about discovering the power of bringing together people with different backgrounds, perspectives and areas of expertise. In this interview, she reflects on her time at ECET, the moments that shaped her understanding of the energy transition, and why she believes creating meaningful change requires an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach.
What first drew you to ECET, and what stood out to you when you became involved?
It was around half a year after I came to the Netherlands and started studying International Business Administration at RSM. I was looking for a job alongside my studies, one that aligned with my values and interests, and could provide me with opportunities for growth and learning. I saw the opening, and I was thrilled to see it aligned with my interest in sustainability and was open to a diverse pool of students, not only with a specific background or level of studies in mind. I was welcomed warmly to a very ambitious team with one clear goal in mind, to advance the energy transition. It was really the first experience I had in a professional position, but most importantly, it taught me so much about the energy transition, how important and interdisciplinary a topic it is, and how there's an urgency, more than ever, to act on the drastic effects of it that we are already seeing. I'm very grateful to Sarah Craig and Malou Kroezen for having granted me that opportunity.
Looking back, which experiences at ECET had the greatest impact on how you see the energy transition and your own role in it?
There were a few moments. The very early one was one of the first workshops ECET hosted, involving academics and professionals. It was back when decisions about the final name and tagline were made for the Centre. I remember being in awe of how speakers from different backgrounds and industries, despite differences in approaches and risk aversion, often grounded in those very types of environments they operated in, could agree on a fundamental issue of energy transition. It was also the first time I saw the UN graphic showing the impact of climate change on future generations, and I think that's really when I understood the scale of the issue. The other element was starting the Erasmus Energy Club. Being able to start something so ambitious from scratch but with the backing of a Centre so dedicated to creating future energy leaders was very rewarding. Especially seeing the members, or energy consultants, go out of their projects with new knowledge, new expertise, and new connections in the field, which could potentially, and in some cases it did, kickstart their careers in energy, has definitely been one of the most impactful things I've done in my life.
How has your experience at ECET shaped the way you think about your future, both professionally and personally?
Within ECET, I definitely found a passion for facilitating positive change further. Working at the Centre gave me the confidence that even though I might not have exhaustive knowledge about a field, there is a lot to be done, and it is exactly that by bringing the expertise of many parties with many views and disciplines we can make it happen. Of course, it is difficult, and facilitation, right timing and setting, and stakeholder management are key, but it's crucial not to leave any parts of it out, otherwise the system is not sustainable itself. So despite the fact that I might pursue other outlets of hopefully creating a better world, I will always have energy transition and climate change in mind, and am in awe and full admiration of people who commit their lives and careers to the cause.
What do you think makes the ECET approach distinctive for students who are considering getting involved?
Interdisciplinary, both in terms of education provided and the audience. Broad, but focused in the right spots, giving individuals from less technical backgrounds a chance to grasp the phenomenon without overwhelming them. Human, with access to professionals and lecturers at the Centre always being open for discussion and inviting many viewpoints.
Looking ahead, what more could Erasmus University and ECET do to prepare students for a future in the energy transition?
Focus on Energy Transition as a viable career path through many different ways of involvement, operations, consulting, financial, etc.