Green career spotlight: Hillary Elegeonye

Welcome to our interview series where we speak with purpose-driven and sustainability-focused professionals from around the globe. Every few weeks, we’ll dive into their journeys, learn about their wins and challenges, and the resources they couldn’t do without.

Prepare to be inspired and learn something new!

Today’s guest is Hillary Elegeonye, Project Manager for Energy and Environment from Nigeria.

Please tell us a little bit about who you are, your background, and your current job. What inspired you to start a career in sustainability and what was your journey to where you are

I am a renewable energy professional, currently working as a project manager for energy and environment within the international development space. I have a background in economics with some experince working in the banking sector. However, I am now fully immersed in my sustainability journey, following my second degree in energy policy.

Many individuals are drawn to careers in sustainability due to a deep concern for the environment and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. My case is not far fetched. I was first drawn to renewable energy during the oil price crash in 2014 and its subsequent economic implications to oil exporting countries like Nigeria. As an undergraduate, I tried to understand the intricacies of the energy market and what could become of a world devoid of hydrocarbons. The effects of carbon emission could be seen as a major deterrent to the use of petroleum. How about the effects of oil price variations on oil dependent economies. As I asked these questions, I delved more into understanding the alternative sources of energy that can be devoid of both environmental degradation and economic downturns for my country.

I wouldn’t say that I am already exactly where I want to be in my sustainability career journey. However, getting here has not been an easy journey. There are very limited opportunities for young professionals in the sustainability industry. With the increasing awareness about the industry, there are more people interested in the sector than there are opportunities, making it difficult to get a good head start for young entrants. I took up a number of internship positions in the energy sector in both the public sector and international development sector before I landed my current role.

What’s your day-to-day like? 

My job is in a hybrid format. I work from home on some days and from the office on other days. I do a lot of advocacy for climate change through writing, speaking at climate and renewable energy events as well as facilitating sessions and business roundtables in the sector. My role involves some level of business development, proposal and grant writing, project management and stakeholder engagement.

What do you like the most about the work you do? 

I am most happy about the fact that my day to day activities help renewable energy and circular economy companies reach new milestones. These milestones are translated into better living standards for the people through improved energy access and cleaner environments.

How does your work address societal and/or environmental issues?

By facilitating market entry for renewable energy companies into the Nigerian market, communities achieve energy access. Some rural and semi urban communities that previously lacked access to electricity now have mini grids connected to them using renewable energy. I also facilitate circular economy projects that help to keep plastics away from the water bodies and landfill. This way, I contribute my ten cents to environmental issues directly and indirectly.

In your experience, what are the main challenges of working with mission-driven and sustainability-focused businesses? 

One challenge with the businesses in this sector is the lack of interest from investors. Investment in sustainability-focused businesses often do not come off as very financially profitable in the short run. These businesses are therefore left with the dependence on grants and other free money from donor agencies. Secondly, the over reliance on traditional practices by the local communities often prevents them from adopting newer and sustainable ways of doing things. A great example would be the use of woodfuels among rural communities, which is not considered a sustainable practice.

Is there anything that you do outside of your job that is driven by similar (sustainability) objectives?  

Outside of my job, I engage in a lot of awareness creation with some local clubs and organizations. We occasionally engage in cleaning of the coastal lines and tree planting, as well as students outreach at universities and secondary schools.

In your opinion, what are the top skills necessary to be successful at a “green job”? 

There are several skills necessary to succeed at a green job. Among many, I would start with communication skills. You have to be good in both written and verbal communication. One also needs to be computer savvy to network beyond the immediate work environment effectively. A good organizational and leadership skill can also go a long in helping one in the industry. With good leadership skills, you can take responsibility for your actions and your team members.

Other skills that could be useful in the field will include social awareness, teamwork and time management. Several roles in the green job sector come in the form of project/program management. Project management skills will go a long way in helping professionals thrive in green jobs.

What green careers/sectors do you see growing the fastest right now and/or will become mainstream within the next 10 years?

Each time I think of green careers, I think of green energy and climate change. As long as there are millions of people without energy access, in the wake of renewable energy adoption, careers in the clean energy sector are growing fast. This is the same for jobs related to climate adaptation and climate change. In the future, topics around clean energy will focus a lot on green hydrogen. I expect the awareness of green hydrogen to rise significantly and create many jobs in the next 10 years, as well as climate finance. The growing demand for food will also see careers in green and sustainable agriculture rise significantly in the nearest future.

What are the most common mistakes or misperceptions you have seen when it comes to green careers? 

In my years of working in the sustainability industry, I have come across many misconceptions among different groups of people; from professionals in other fields to young job seekers and students. One of the most common of them would be the misconception that green jobs only involve renewable energy: Many people think green jobs are limited to solar, wind, or other renewable energy sectors. In reality, green jobs span various industries, including manufacturing, transportation, agriculture, construction, and more. They encompass roles that contribute to environmental sustainability, conservation, and efficiency across multiple sectors.

Some people also believe that only science and engineering backgrounds are suitable. While science and engineering skills are valuable, green jobs also require expertise in finance, policy, communication, education, and management. There is a broad spectrum of roles, from environmental law and policy-making to marketing for green products and services. Other misconceptions about green jobs include the perception that they are low-paying, not mainstream, unstable, location-specific, new and requiring new skill sets, only for young people, politically driven, and solely about environmental impact.

Could you highlight some of the key differences and potential green career paths within industries/sectors you’ve worked with?

Some green career paths in the energy industry would include project management and project development, project finance, storytelling, renewable energy engineer, energy efficiency consultant, sustainability manager, environmental engineer, solar panel installer, wind turbine technician, energy auditor, bioenergy specialist, hydropower engineer, smart grid analyst, geothermal technician, clean energy policy analyst, battery storage engineer, environmental compliance specialist, green building architect and so on.

As you reflect on your career journey, what challenges would you pinpoint, especially those shared by individuals in similar roles?

One of the challenges of being in the sector, especially in a developing country, is the limited opportunities for job transition. It is not easy to switch jobs because opportunities are limited and there is an increasing interest in the sector. This increases the competition for the available opportunities. Sometimes, the people who do not believe in climate change are a thorn in the flesh. It is also important to mention that the expectations of the public from the sector could be overwhelming. Besides the mentioned challenges, greenwashing among some professionals in the industry whose main goal is often to gain cheap public attention is tarnishing the reputation of the actual professionals putting in genuine work in the industry.

And what were the most rewarding moments?

Working in the sector has given me the opportunity to speak and make presentations on big stages. I have an amazing LinkedIn network as a result of the industry I work in. I have also had some international travels related to my job. It is always a please to share the stage and discussion rooms with top business leaders and policy makers. This is possible following my presence in the industry I work in today.

Any “lessons learned” or advice you can share with others looking to succeed in their purpose-driven career? 

The biggest challenge for wannabe professionals in the industry is the difficulty in breaking in at first. I like to give example with my experience. In as much as I had been a professional banker before starting my career in the sustainability industry, I had to take up two successive internships before landing a better position. That was my breakthrough. People should not be afraid of starting small.

Let your voice be heard. Utilize the awesomeness of social media, particularly LinkedIn. Always share your work and engagements. Use networking to increase your visibility and net worth while giving your best in your job.

What inspires you every day to wake up and keep going? 

I wake up everyday knowing that my work is changing lives; not just my own life, but the life of those who will live in the future. By ensuring a sustainable world, we make the Earth worth living for posterity. Besides my paycheck, I am happy that many other people are able to look out for a paycheck because of the work we do. We create jobs by bringing new sustainable energy and circular economy companies into the market.