Sybrig Smit - Graduated 2020

Track: Energy and Materials

Current position: Climate Policy Analyst at NewClimate Institute

Can you briefly tell us what you studied (including your specialisation) and when you graduated?

I did a BSc in Future Planet Studies at the University of Amsterdam and then did my MSc Sustainable Development at Utrecht University, specialising in energy and materials. I graduated in early 2020.

How has your study influenced your career path, and what role has it played in your professional development?

Through the Sustainable Development MSc programme and with the help of my professors there, I got in touch with the NewClimate Institute for an internship and had the opportunity to write my Master’s thesis at the Institute, and I’m still working here! Besides that direct connection, I also see great overlap between the knowledge and skills I learned during the Sustainable Development Master's programme and what I am doing on a daily basis. Examples of this include interdisciplinary thinking, translating science into policy relevant to society and data analysis.

Could you provide an example of a specific project or experience during your studies that significantly contributed to your growth and success in your current career?

The numerous team-based projects we did really helped me to think beyond my own specialisation. As I focus on climate change and mitigation in my job, I have to consider a multitude of perspectives at all times. Climate change is a complex problem, and the fact that I’m trained to consider multiple perspectives at the same time without losing focus on the question in front of me, is very valuable.

What were the key skills or knowledge you gained during your studies, and how do you apply them in your work now?

I think the Sustainable Development Master's programme helped me process (scientific) information quickly and translate it into relevant outcomes for society. In addition, the time that is taken to teach students how to perform (data) analysis effectively and efficiently, using various software, is great. I also still use the knowledge about energy systems, policy-making and pillars of sustainable development almost daily.

How were you able to differentiate yourself in the job market thanks to your education at our university?

The combination of an interdisciplinary background with the specialisation in energy and materials was the key factor. I think it is crucial to have both: interdisciplinarity and a bit of expertise. On top of that, the fact that Sustainable Development is a two-year research masters makes you stand out: you’re trained to dissect information, combine various sources, interpret articles, and translate all of this into an understandable overview and well-written text.

Do you have any specific memories of teachers, courses, or extracurricular activities that left a lasting impression on you?

I will never forget these three courses: Robert Harmsen’s Energy Policy course, which truly sparked my interest in the challenging field of policies; Introduction to Sustainable Development, which entailed a fantastic overview of the pillars of sustainable development while acknowledging all the disciplines of the programme; and the course Advanced Energy Analysis. The latter is from the master Energy Science but was a great addition to the curriculum to meet my interests and ambitions and my data analysis skills improved further under this course. In addition, I had an amazing time at the study association Storm and made friends for life in the Masters’ Committee. We organised various events, including a very inspiring Alumni event.

Can you share a moment when you encountered challenges during your studies and how you dealt with them?

I think the strength that I mentioned before can also be the main challenge: interdisciplinarity. It is very challenging to balance every perspective and discipline because I think every person has an individual (subconscious) preference. I remember performing a consultancy task for a major steel producer. It was very tempting for me to only focus on emissions and energy demand given my core discipline… but it was also an interesting challenge to cover other crucial perspectives, such as biodiversity, water quality and equitable transition in this project.

Would you recommend other prospective students to pursue the same programme?

Definitely! Rather than becoming an expert on a single topic, if you’re aiming to become an interdisciplinary researcher, go for it! I truly believe we also still need experts out there, but it is a very useful skill to be able to communicate and connect with various disciplines. The professors are top-notch, the programme is well-thought-through, balanced, and very relevant with regard to society’s major challenges of today and in the future.

What advice would you like to give to current students?

If you have a good idea for a research topic, I would definitely recommend to pursue this under the tailor-made course – if it still exists. I loved doing my own research and the challenges that I faced here, including things like time management and research structuring, taught me a lot. I would also recommend to do an internship during your Master’s. It will help you understand the relevance (and irrelevance) of certain skills, and identify your ambitions and interests.