A sustainable future
A sustainable future
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A sustainable future
Published
13 May 2024
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A recent alumnus of the University of East London (UEL) has spoken of his excitement at getting his first job after graduation, and praised the support he received from UEL to win the new role.
Opeyemi Popoola is set to shortly begin as an Energy and Sustainability Officer at the London borough of Hackney, with his MSc in Sustainable Energy Engineering from UEL playing a key role in gaining the position. He said,
To finally have secured a job in something that I am very interested in, and in a London borough is just amazing. If you look at Hackney’s ambition of reaching zero carbon it really resonates with me. Sustainability has become a buzzword but to see a council that believes in it for the right reasons is great.”
It might seem a long way from Opeyemi’s roots in rural Nigeria, but he says he gained a lot from his upbringing, including a competitive nature, fostered by long games of chess with his older brother. His brother also passed on an interest in engineering, which saw Opeyemi gain a first degree in the subject.
An interest in sustainability then led him to look around for a master’s course that emphasised that aspect of engineering and he chose UEL. At first he said he was uncertain about the course and his life at the University. But the academic support he received really made a difference, he said, “Dr Hasan Baig was one of my tutors and was instrumental on my development. He set me up for success and who I am now. He is always willing to listen to you but he never sugarcoats his advice. The most amazing thing is how much he believed in me, because at the time I did not believe that much in myself. He was really a role model.”
As he began to consider life after graduation, crucial help came from staff at UEL’s Careers Zone, and their collaborative work with the University’s academics. Opeyemi said, “That helped me get more confident in my job interviews and applications. To have that support and people willing to do mock interviews and help you during different stages of the process was really amazing.”
Even so he found the London job market very competitive, but when eventually the right vacancy came along, he was ready to impress the interviewers at Hackney. Opeyemi said, “If you look at the topics covered in the interview, they were all covered in Dr Baig’s class. So, I was able to speak about all of them with a lot of knowledge and experience.”
So what does his former tutor make of his success? For Dr Baig, there’s pride that his student has landed such a significant post, in a field that will only get more and more important. He said, “His role will undoubtedly be pivotal in driving the change necessary to help them meet their net zero goals. Opeyemi serves as an excellent example of how the University prioritises career readiness and cultivates skills essential to the industry. Talented individuals like Opeyemi contribute to the crucial work of sustainability and drive positive change for our planet and future generations."
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