What motivated you to join Tshikovha Green and Climate Change Advocates? As a fresh graduate who was anxious about my future and career goals especially with the high rate of unemployment in South Africa. Navigating life after graduating was difficult thus, joining Tshikovha Green and Climate Change Advocates was a stepping stone to building my career. Tshikovha has various environmental processes which have helped me identify the route that I want to take in aligning with my career goals.

How did your academic background prepare you for your current role at the organization? My academic background in environmental policy, research, report writing, and data analysis has equipped me with practical experience in environmental assessment, enabling me to understand legislations and apply them in environmental authorization processes.

Can you describe a recent project you have worked on here that you found particularly interesting or challenging? I recently worked on a fuel depot facility project, completing an environmental authorization application form, despite limited information, it motivated me to expand my knowledge which I found particularly interesting.

What unique skills or perspectives do you bring to the team at Tshikovha? I possess strong research and analytical skills which enable me to gather and interpret environmental data effectively. I also possess exceptional communication and writing skills which allow me to address complex work into clear and concise reports. In essence, I bring in fresh and new ideas to the team which can balance the experience and expertise of the senior colleagues.

How do you see your role impacting the organization’s mission of advocating for climate change Through my exceptional writing skills and sharing ideas. It would contribute to concise and effective environmental reports that inform stakeholders about climate change. My continuous eagerness to learn, interest in research and knowledge on climate change will ensure that Tshikovha remains at the forefront of advocating for climate change.

What key learning experience have you had since joining Tshikovha Green and Climate Change Advocates? Since joining Tshikovha Green and Climate Change Advocates one of the key learning experiences I have had is gaining hands-on experience with reporting writing skills, environmental impact assessments which have allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge into real world scenarios. I have also improved my communication skills through engagements with my colleagues. Furthermore, I have managed to expand my knowledge on environmental legislation, policies to incorporate in our projects. I have also learnt from senior colleagues which have helped me gain insight of environmental consulting and advocating for climate change.

How do you balance the theoretical knowledge from your studies with the practical demands of your job? I balance my theoretical knowledge from my studies with practical demands by participating in site visits which have helped me gain learning experience to support my knowledge. Reflecting on my work identifying areas where I need some improvement has also helped me with balancing. Collaborating with colleagues to share ideas, experiences and knowledge has helped me with understanding both theoretical and practical demands of your job.

Have you encountered any unexpected challenges in your role? How did you address them? Yes, I have encountered unexpected challenges in my role as an EAP intern. One example was unexpected delay in receiving information from a client which impacted the project timeline. To address the issue, I alternatively researched more about fuel depot facilities which assisted me in filling the missing information. I also worked closely with the project manager to adjust our schedule and communicate with the client to understand the delay of the information.

What are your long-term career goals, and how does your position here align with those ambitions? My long-term career goals are to become an expert in ESG. I aim to transition into a role that focuses on the implementation of green bonds to finance climate related projects particularly in industries like corporate mining, consulting in financial advisory. My current position aligns with my ambition in knowledge. For instance, I am gaining experience in EIAs which is important in understanding environmental risks and opportunities that are associated with projects. I am also working with projects from various industries including mining. My current position has allowed me to enhance my analytical, research and communication skills which are crucial for a career in ESG. In essence, I envision myself moving into a role such as a sustainability analyst, sustainability reporting specialist where I can utilise my expertise to facilitate the growth of green bonds and support the transition to a low carbon economy.

How do you stay updated with the latest developments in environmental policy and climate change advocacy? I stay updated through NGOs that I am part of such as Greenpeace who advocate for environmental protection and hold corporations accountable for the environmental policies. Academic research and reviewing studies from creditable scientific sites which focus on climate change. I also follow organisations and individuals in the environmental field to stay informed about research and news related to climate change and environmental science.