This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) provides voice to Johanna Snickars, Chief Communications Officer & Brand Officer of Alight Energy. He says that climbing the standard profession ladder is a enjoyable, difficult, and steep progress curve. “I began to really feel that I needed to have a extra purpose-driven job the place I might see how my contributions made a constructive affect on the world,” he additionally stated.
I’ve labored in communications for 15 years, in PR companies and main communications in firms resembling Microsoft and Ericsson. Climbing the standard profession ladder is a enjoyable, difficult, and steep development curve. I started to really feel that I needed to have a extra purpose-driven job the place I might see how my contributions made a constructive affect on the world. I’m not alone; it is a persevering with pattern of “local weather defectors,” as Bloomberg defines it, or “inexperienced defectors,” because the Financial Times studies. When a headhunter referred to as Alight, it struck the precise deal. To be a part of the expansion of a photo voltaic developer and IPP in Europe targeted on supporting massive companies within the elimination of fossil fuels, and the problem of constructing a robust new model, a victory that mixture. Motivation comes naturally when working for a brilliant future for my youngsters, and including new clear MWs every single day!
There aren’t many roles inside communications, branding, and advertising and marketing on this area – but. But because the trade grows and matures, many organizations notice the significance of communications for scaling a profitable enterprise and constructing operations. Having beforehand labored in male-dominated industries, resembling finance and know-how, I’m dedicated to breaking glass ceilings whatever the sector.
When I joined Alight, and first entered the renewable trade, 4 years in the past, my circumstances had been a place of management and possession of the corporate. In my expertise, males are usually higher at negotiating employment packages resembling wage, bonus, and warrants, and I have to develop this ability and strongly encourage feminine professionals to undertake it. I’m impressed by feminine founders and high leaders, however with possession, we will actually make range and progress throughout the trade.
I used to be shocked at how males dominated the trade, not less than by way of high administration and possession. I met quite a lot of feminine fashions, however not sufficient. Although the battle for feminine expertise is fierce, as many gamers on this trade are trendy workplaces and are nicely conscious of the advantages of a various and inclusive workforce, we, with one foot within the door, nicely positioned to make use of some light. push to set excessive objectives for gender equality, in any respect ranges, and champion range generally. After all, an trade that’s deeply rooted and aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals ought to goal excessive to succeed in different targets as nicely.
The alternatives are limitless – and up for grabs! It’s a rising sector, and it is closely invested proper now. The progress fee of the trade is quicker than the professionals educated or skilled for it, which gives an incredible alternative. This implies that many firms spend money on potential and expertise quite than CV or area experience, and are sometimes particularly wanting so as to add extra girls. So even you probably have no expertise within the trade or ticked all of the packing containers within the job advert, I say: apply! Experiences from different industries and specialist roles resembling communications, HR, authorized, and finance are additionally required – and certainly, all of us study by doing as we develop. with the trade.
Johanna Snickars has 15 years of expertise as a communications chief inside firms resembling Microsoft and Ericsson, and joined Alight in 2020. She has received a number of awards for her communicative management, hosted a podcast targeted on feminine management and entrepreneurs for 2 years, and is a frequent speaker on all issues communication and types at conferences. He lives along with his household in Stockholm, Sweden, in one of the crucial intensive sustainable city growth areas in Europe the place sustainability and circularity are an vital a part of on a regular basis life. He is a member of Alight’s administration workforce and is accountable for exterior and inner communications, and model administration. Alight is on a mission to take away carbon from the grid by serving to energy-intensive companies change to photo voltaic. They develop, personal and function onsite and offsite photo voltaic tasks throughout Europe and promote clear vitality to companies at a low, mounted value backed by an influence buy settlement (PPA) . They goal to succeed in an put in capability of not less than 5 GW by 2030.
Interested in becoming a member of Johanna Snickars and different girls trade leaders and consultants at Women in Solar Europe? Learn extra: www.wiseu.community
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