What path has your career taken since graduation? 

After graduating, I worked as an Energy Analyst intern for about 8 months with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lebanon, where I contributed to the analysis and planning for Lebanon's Sustainable Energy Plan 2050. I then joined AFRY Management Consulting, where I've been working for around 5 years now.

What is your current role?

I'm currently an Energy Manager at AFRY Management Consulting, where I've been working since August 2019. I provide energy market intelligence to key investors and energy stakeholders in the MENA region. I've led AFRY's in-house energy modeling for various markets in the Middle East and worked on multiple buy-side and sell-side transaction projects, as well as supported numerous strategy projects within the energy sector.

What experiences do you feel helped you get to your current position?

I believe it's the combination of soft skills—communication, teamwork, discipline, time management—and hard skills like report writing, analytical thinking, and presentations that are crucial for any consulting position. These skills were developed during my undergrad and especially during my Master's through various group projects, team interactions, and reports that we were required to deliver.

How have you used the skills and/or knowledge developed during your degree in your career?

I think the key takeaway from my Master's course is the combination of the technical focus and the policy-oriented aspects of the Energy Market. This mix has been extremely valuable in my career because, as a consultant, I'm expected to provide advice and propose solutions based on analyses that require a good understanding of the underlying engineering principles.

What advice would you give to students who are interested in your area of work?

Enjoy your time at the university and make as many friends as possible. Take advantage of this international experience and the great exposure you're getting. Try not to stress too much about the job hunt—you'll all be able to secure the job you want, even if it seems far-fetched at times. You have the background that companies/recruiters are looking for. So, don't worry too much, and make sure you do what's needed. Best of luck to all of you!

This profile was published in May 2024