Comment & Analysis
Jaz Rabadia, BEng, MSc, Chartered Energy Manager MEI. Energy Manager at Debenhams
I didn't really know what engineering was when I decided to do my mechanical engineering degree at City University, in fact I'm still learning about what engineering is even today, after seven years of working in the industry.
I often get asked why I decided to study engineering, it's not a subject that tends to attract females.
I had no intention of designing new engine components, calculating building structure stresses or modelling the combustion rate of the newest fuels, but what I did want at the end of my degree was a solid foundation in the core STEM (science, technology, engineering & mathematics) subjects, a degree that would help keep my career options open, skills that would make me sought after by employers and most of all a platform to combine my creativity, practical thinking and problem solving skills. Engineering certainly provided me that.
I'm no typical engineer and in fact I don't think there is such a thing. The misconception that all engineers walk around wearing hard hats in boiler rooms, with greasy hands and spanners in their back pockets is outdated. Today's engineers can hold far more executive roles and these types of engineering roles have increased significantly in recent years.
Although my degree was in mechanical engineering, my chosen career path is in the field of energy engineering. This is an area which has seen significant growth in the last 10 years, but remains a male dominated sector. My current role as Energy Manager at Debenhams is very varied, which is why I love my job. I’m responsible for procuring energy, negotiating contracts with suppliers for services, implementing energy efficiency projects across Debenhams stores, setting accurate budgets, developing environmental colleague engagement tools and making sure the business complies with all environmental legislation. I put into practice a huge array of skills at work and no two days in the office are the same.
My career into energy management began with my job as a checkout assistant in a Sainsbury’s supermarket. I was working there part time whilst studying for my mechanical engineering degree. Before I knew it, it was my final year and I had to do a project/experiment with a 20,000 word write up. So I decided to do an energy study at the store that I was working at. This meant I could work and complete my dissertation at the same time… seemed like a no-brainer!
Whilst completing my project, the Head of energy at Sainsbury’s was impressed with the work that I was doing, so much so he nominated me for an energy award and got me into the head office to present my findings. We stayed in touch and before I knew it he offered me a job in the energy team. I always thought my career was limited to working for energy suppliers; I had no idea that companies like Sainsbury’s would have teams dedicated to managing energy.
I often look back and find the gap between universities and working life is so big, the transition of theory to practical application can be challenging. It’s because of this I go back to City University to lecture on their Energy Master’s. I studied on the course myself and think it’s helpful for students to get first-hand experience of where the Masters can take you, helping to prepare students to apply what they have learnt into the workplace.
Through my role as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Ambassador, I visit schools and colleges to gives talks on careers in energy and engineering. It’s great to work for a high street brand that students recognise as it gets them engaged very quickly. I love seeing the students faces when I tell which companies have energy managers and just how much they spend on energy each year. It’s really important to raise awareness of the energy sector as a career option and hopefully through my talks I will inspire a few more to join the industry!
It’s been an exciting and challenging journey so far, and if I could do it all over again I would choose engineering every time!