Growing up in Nigeria, a country known for crude oil exploitation, I have seen the negative impact oil exploitation is having on people first hand. It deprives so many people of their natural environment and traditional lifestyle.

I want to broaden my skills so that I can help instigate change and ultimately limit the negative impact energy sources, like oil, is having on the environment. In order to do this I know I need to diversify my experience and gain the right skills to achieve change. The InnoEnergy Master’s School seemed like the perfect fit.

Since starting the Master’s programme last year, I have met so many amazing people. My mind has been opened in ways I just didn’t expect. The programme encourages us not only to participate as students but to actually change things and make things happen.

As part of the InnoEnergy Game-Changing Impact Programme I took part in The GC Index® assessment. This is a scientific framework, which enables individuals, teams and organisations to identify how they make their impact and how they can change the game.

After completing the assessment I was taken through my unique GC Index® profile, which is going to be used to form part of my one-to-one coaching session discussions.

Going through my profile was incredibly enlightening. Gaining insights into my strengths has given me a huge sense of reassurance about the career path I am hoping to follow. It has also highlighted some areas for development.

Naturally I am what the framework refers to as a strong Implementer – someone who builds the future by making great ideas happen, moving into action and getting things done. But I am also a strong Game Changer, someone who transforms the future by bringing original ideas, and Play Maker, someone who maps the future by making sense of great ideas and setting a direction for others to follow tendencies.

Whilst I could identify the Play Maker element in me the Game Changer is something I aspired to be. However, the profile opened my eyes to the fact I do indeed bring fresh new ideas to the table.

I have always been interested in working in a research institute or start up and this matches my profile. The InnoEnergy Game-Changing Impact Programme and work around my profile has confirmed that I am on the right path because I love coming up with an idea and watching it come to fruition.

It also given me a much better understanding of areas I need to tap into in order to be a good leader and I am working on developing and using these skills in project work.

Learning about intrapreneurship and the business side of things has been invaluable. The programme is giving us a glimpse of the real world unlike most other Masters programmes I have come across.

The InnoEnergy programme combines theory and technical knowledge with practical skills perfectly. The game-changing impact programme has really has opened my mind to the ideas and concepts that I need to be aware of from an entrepreneurial perspective.