Every journey has a starting point, even if we only recognize it years later. This autobiographical statement was mine, and was the piece of writing that opened the door to my master’s programme and helped me put language to the values, interests, and experiences I’ve carried since childhood.
My Path to Energy: An Autobiographical Statement
As a child in Guyana, frequent blackouts were a normal part of life. Without a generator, we knew electricity had returned when the fridge hummed or a fan spun back on. Losing power didn’t feel disruptive because our daily lives didn’t rely on constant technology use. Reliance on solar energy, however, whether drying clothes under the sun or heating water in tanks, was part of everyday living. Comparatively, life in the United States, where consistent electricity was expected and essential, yet sustainable practices were rare, was a stark contrast.
From early on, I understood the gap between fossil fuel dependence and functional renewables, and how energy access shapes opportunity. This sparked my interest in the field. But without mentorship or exposure to energy careers, my parents urged me toward accounting for stability.
Though I found success in accounting, I remained drawn to energy, aligning my work with oil and gas auditing, research, and consulting. Working in the sector showed me that energy isn’t just a commodity, but a powerful tool for global development.
In 2022, after being denied a technical oil and gas role at Ernst & Young, I pivoted into renewables at Bloomberg LP as a researcher and battery energy storage data analyst. That shift deepened my understanding of sustainable systems and how oil and gas still underpin many industries. I realized that being rerouted to renewables wasn’t a detour, but a necessary step to expand my perspective on how all energy can be used to empower people and societies.
Pursuing a Master of Science in Oil and Gas and Renewable Energy at the University of Guyana feels like a full-circle opportunity to deepen my expertise in the place that shaped me. It’s the next step in my lifelong commitment to building resilient, sustainable energy futures for Guyana and beyond.
