As EIT InnoEnergy students and recent graduates, we were invited to join the Career Impact Challenges during Enlit Europe Milan 2021. Not only were we lucky to attend the conference in person and enjoy the beautiful city of Milan, but also had the chance to solve challenges from leading companies in the industry. The challenges were presented by some of EIT InnoEnergy-supported start-ups as well as companies within its network, namely Woon Duurzaam, McKinsey Energy Insights, Volytica diagnostics, Sylfen and Siemens Energy.
Enlit Milan 2021
Part of EIT InnoEnergy Career Centre offering is the Career Impact Challenges. These take place during ENLIT, an energy conference that highlights the change we need to make to ensure the brightest of futures. However, Enlit is not only an event, but a community, that for 365 days a year collaborates and innovates to solve the most pressing issues in the energy industry. Attending the conference face to face was a great opportunity for all of us who are looking for an internship, want to apply to our first job or simply are curious to identify the industry trends. It is an excellent way to network and understand first-hand what the energy transition calls for and involves!
Career Impact Challenges
Prior to the event we had an option to select the challenge we wanted to participate in, and we were asked, in teams, to develop a suitable campaign response to a specific need.
I chose the McKinsey Energy Insights’ Challenge, which consisted of analysing the implications of the EU Fit for 55 package on investment decisions in the energy sector for the next 10 years. Together with fellow alumni and current students, we explored the industry, decided where we would invest EUR 10B and outlined the implementation strategy by proposing internal and external measures.
We worked hard before and during the event and I am very proud to announce that we won the challenge. This would not have been possible without my amazing team. Not only did we have an amazing time working together, but we also learned rapidly and knew how to use our market insights to design an investment portfolio! The team from McKinsey Energy Insight, Career Centre and its partners GC Index were extremely helpful throughout the competition!
Work hard, play hard
The conference was not only about work. We still had time to get lost through the small Milanese streets, get immersed into the Italian culture, catch up with old friends and make new ones but more importantly… eat loads of pasta and pizza! This is a great thing of being with EIT InnoEnergy Master School, the encouragement to travel and being exposed to new cultures.
Next time you go to Milan (hopefully for EIT InnoEnergy activities) make sure you don’t miss the Duomo at night, eat pasta at Osteria Fortunata, try the focaccias Florence style at All’Antico Vinaio or explore the Mercato Centrale, a market next to the train station where you can find the best of Italian cuisine at a very fair price!
Grazie mille to EIT InnoEnergy Career Centre for making all of this possible!
by Alba Forns, Master School graduate
Career Impact Challenges at Enlit Europe 2021: from industry interactions to networking opportunities!