Jamie wants to make a positive change in people’s lives and the environmental crisis. She has a Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and a Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering, majoring in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies. She obtained her qualifications from the University of Stellenbosch.

She shares more about her career expectations in her WWF internship as an Energy Efficiency Technician intern with the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University.

What are you passionate about?
I have a deep-rooted need to help people. I am also passionate about English literature and enjoy things like writing and poetry. Lastly, I love science. Ultimately, I would put all these under a big umbrella of passion for socio-economic issues.

What inspired your choice of study?
My love for science and people ignited my career path. Since high school, I wanted a career in human sciences. I had a passionate science teacher who made our experimental work very intriguing.

Over time, as I was introduced to other types of sciences, combined with the increasing news on how alarming climate change was, I knew that my renewable energy-focused career choice was fitting for me. It was a way for me to contribute to positive change in people’s lives, the environmental crisis and still be able to do the ‘‘cool’’ experiments that come with science work. 

What excites you about your internship?
My postgraduate programme in renewable energy was coursework-based, mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So, I find it exciting that my internship allows me to work in the bioenergy lab for most of my day. Each day brings some level of unpredictability – either from the lab results or the tasks I do. Additionally, I get to be outdoors when I visit farms to collect manure for bioenergy processes.

What are your expectations of this internship?
Although I am mostly in the bioenergy lab, I spend some time in an office with colleagues who focus on other fields of renewable energy. I hope to learn about the technical aspects of these alternative energy systems to broaden my understanding of renewable energy and its role in sustainability. Furthermore, I expect to gain valuable lab experience and be exposed to the socio, environmental and economic aspects of bioenergy. 

What contribution do you hope to make towards a future in which people and nature thrive?
I aim to take part in projects and research that focus on socio-economic issues of employment, livelihoods and health. The field of renewable energy is already established as a powerful solution to improve the environment and how people function in relation to nature. It’s important for me to focus on energy solutions for the rural, indigenous and/or lower income communities to help them live sustainably.

Who inspires you most and why?
My parents inspire me. My father inspired me through his wide range of knowledge in many fields. He showed me that there is no timeline when it comes to following one’s dreams. My mother inspired me through her discipline, punctuality and assertiveness when it came to her work environment, especially as a female trying to navigate her way in a male-dominated field. They showed me that people make time and effort for what is important to them and what they are passionate about.