InnoBlog: career choices after an EIT InnoEnergy Master’s programme

A key feature of EIT InnoEnergy Master’s programmes is their interdisciplinary nature. They place a focus on innovative, entrepreneurial thinking on top of a technical, engineering approach. Many programmes have a business component, like the ESADE Business School and New Venture Creation Project, where you go through the exercise of creating a start-up. Meanwhile, coursework can focus on everything from the technicalities of power system generation to electricity markets. 

I even decided to compete on the Battle of Green Talent, an entrepreneurship competition organized by EIT InnoEnergy, together with peers from other Master’s programmes. We developed ReLi as a way to manufacture sustainable and affordable energy storage solutions for solar PV homeowners by upcycling retired EV batteries. We were the lucky winners of the competition and have now sufficient funds to kick-off our start-up idea together with the support of EIT InnoEnergy business creation unit.

Two of my fellow students, Oscar and Krishna, have opted to pursue PhD programmes following graduation. What are their thoughts?

Oscar, who is studying with me in Leuven, had always aimed to pursue a PhD after his Master’s. He says: “My plan to pursue a PhD after EIT InnoEnergy Master's School based my decision to select my second-year university: KU Leuven. I learnt that at KU Leuven, the Master's thesis is carried out within the university for the entire year, rather than just a semester. The academic/research environment is giving me more exposure to the research experience and networking. I also found the research topics here very interesting, which is important to consider if you are planning to dedicate 4 years working on something.”

Krishna, who is studying at TU/e Eindhoven, had always aimed to pursue a PhD as well. For him, the value of the Master’s relates back to the programme’s interdisciplinary nature. He says: “The ultimate satisfaction of scientific research is visualising it in practice. But it is not straightforward if you don't bridge the gap between research and business perspectives. The EIT InnoEnergy Master’s programme has helped me in filling up that space. It also aided me in gathering knowledge about specific topics and their global trends.”

One of my favorite parts of the EIT InnoEnergy Master’s programme has been attending two different European universities - my first year was at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, and my second year is now at KU Leuven in Belgium. The energy perspectives, teaching methods, and background of fellow students has been different and has in turn significantly enhanced my education. For example, the emphasis on theory in Leuven, and the year-long format of the Master’s thesis, greatly helps to prepare for undertaking a PhD.

Similarly, the exposure to different academics along with companies and industrial partners have broadened my perspectives on career opportunities. And all the while involvement with different extracurricular activities, like KTH Students for Sustainability and the CommUnity by EIT InnoEnergy, have also allowed me to connect with different stakeholders. Altogether, having a holistic perspective and recognising the niche your research fits in is critical when pursuing a doctorate.

Whether you choose to start your own company, pursue a PhD, join a start-up and launch a career at a big corporate, EIT InnoEnergy gives you the opportunity to explore all possible paths.

by Emilia Chojkiewicz, EIT InnoEnergy Master School student