Name of Student:  Ria Serena Luchun

Degree Subject:  Natural Sciences

Job Title: Energy Consulting Intern

Company Name:  Verisk

Type of Internship:  Access to Internships (A2I) 

What were your key duties and responsibilities during your internship?

My main role during this internship was to provide support creating deliverables for a variety of energy consulting projects, ranging from new energies and renewables all the way upstream to oil and gas. The tasks I carried out were more diverse than the energy sectors I was working in – from forecasting the demand for ammonia-based products globally to in-depth research concerning Jordan’s electricity market structure and even presenting my work to clients. All of this contributed towards creating solutions and fresh energy strategies for external clients.

What was your biggest achievement on your internship?

My biggest achievement over the course of the internship came right as the experience was ending. I had been working on an upstream project for just under a week and was able to successfully present the findings I had made over that short time to high-stake clients with praise for my efforts from them and the project manager. After a rocky start to the internship, this ending really boosted my confidence in myself and my skills which I am quite proud of.

Were there any challenges and how did you overcome these?

The biggest challenge for me was adjusting to a new workplace in a sector which was quite foreign to me. The first project I was placed on had a very demanding workload which was quite overwhelming at first, especially considering that I had very little subject-specific knowledge. Compounded with trying to acclimatise with a completely new work environment and style, the beginning of the internship was a bit tumultuous. This was overcome mainly by working closely with another intern and by seeking support from the other members of the team individually.

Skills Learnt: 

• Ability to Work Under Pressure
• Organisation
• Negotiation

Attributes Developed:

• Logical thinking
• Independence
• Professionalism

Your message to other students considering a similar job role, organisation or sector?

Overall, the internship was a bit of a whirlwind and an incredible learning experience. Being able to work within so many interlinking teams gave me a taste of the advantages to working for such a large, multinational cooperation. The soft skills I’ve gained at university well supported me throughout my journey of learning at Wood Mackenzie and have propelled both my personal and professional development in this collaborative environment. Not only have I increased my skills and employability, but also my confidence in myself and my abilities.