Finding Joy in Inspiring the Next Generation of Energy Professionals

Featured Stories 11 Jul 2024

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Leow Hui Min, Senior Analyst in the Workforce Planning Branch of EMA's Energy Capabilities Development Department.

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In 2019, Leow Hui Min was fresh out of business school and eager to dive into her career after various internship experiences where she assisted with management associate programmes and campus career fairs. Drawn to the exciting tech sector, her first job was at an e-commerce firm where she worked on various organisational development projects at both the regional and global level.

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Fast forward to 2023, Hui Min had become adept at engaging employees in the technology space. When she came across a job opportunity with the Energy Market Authority (EMA), she was intrigued by the chance to not only focus on employee engagement and development but also to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the entire industry across various disciplines and fields. During her interview, she also realised just how impactful the work at EMA could be. "There is not a single one of us who can function in our daily lives without electricity," Hui Min noted.

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In 2019, Leow Hui Min was fresh out of business school and eager to dive into her career after various internship experiences where she assisted with management associate programmes and campus career fairs. Drawn to the exciting tech sector, her first job was at an e-commerce firm where she worked on various organisational development projects at both the regional and global level.

Fast forward to 2023, Hui Min had become adept at engaging employees in the technology space. When she came across a job opportunity with the Energy Market Authority (EMA), she was intrigued by the chance to not only focus on employee engagement and development but also to build a sustainable talent pipeline for the entire industry across various disciplines and fields. During her interview, she also realised just how impactful the work at EMA could be. "There is not a single one of us who can function in our daily lives without electricity," Hui Min noted.

Same Interest, New Challenges

"As I thought about my career progression, I realised that I still have a strong interest to deepen my skills in Human Resources," Hui Min shared. "But I also wanted to challenge myself with a role that requires more analytical thinking and offers a strategic purpose."

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Hui Min found her role in the Workforce Planning Branch at EMA's Energy Capabilities Development Department resonated with her. She believes that many young people, like she once did, overlook the energy sector as they are unaware of the opportunities that it offers.

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Reflecting on her interactions with youths, she noted that the sector is often seen as labour-intensive and not as progressive as other industries. Some even think the sector hires only engineers.

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"As I thought about my career progression, I realised that I still have a strong interest to deepen my skills in Human Resources," Hui Min shared. "But I also wanted to challenge myself with a role that requires more analytical thinking and offers a strategic purpose."

Hui Min found her role in the Workforce Planning Branch at EMA's Energy Capabilities Development Department resonated with her. She believes that many young people, like she once did, overlook the energy sector as they are unaware of the opportunities that it offers.

Reflecting on her interactions with youths, she noted that the sector is often seen as labour-intensive and not as progressive as other industries. Some even think the sector hires only engineers.

Hui Min (extreme left on top row) with her team at one of EMA's key outreach events - Youth@SIEW.

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This perception is something which Hui Min and her team aim to change. "We are looking at exploring new and different ways to get youths more actively involved and cultivate an interest in them to join the energy sector," she explained. "We want to broaden their perspective on what it means to work in the sector and show how people from different backgrounds can find value and meaning in their work. Importantly, we want the energy sector to be at the forefront of their minds when they think of an industry to join upon graduation, or even to pivot into."

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This perception is something which Hui Min and her team aim to change. "We are looking at exploring new and different ways to get youths more actively involved and cultivate an interest in them to join the energy sector," she explained. "We want to broaden their perspective on what it means to work in the sector and show how people from different backgrounds can find value and meaning in their work. Importantly, we want the energy sector to be at the forefront of their minds when they think of an industry to join upon graduation, or even to pivot into."

Reimagining Traditional Energy Careers

While there are growing opportunities especially in the green energy space, traditional roles in the power sector have also evolved over time. These roles provide youths with the opportunity to put their new ideas and innovative thinking to use. "For instance, it could be about how we can leverage different technologies such as generative AI to improve productivity and work efficiency," Hui Min said.

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To this end, she has been working with her team to better understand how youths view the energy sector and to tailor engagement and outreach activities to connect with them.

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While there are growing opportunities especially in the green energy space, traditional roles in the power sector have also evolved over time. These roles provide youths with the opportunity to put their new ideas and innovative thinking to use. "For instance, it could be about how we can leverage different technologies such as generative AI to improve productivity and work efficiency," Hui Min said.

To this end, she has been working with her team to better understand how youths view the energy sector and to tailor engagement and outreach activities to connect with them.

Sharing her experience in interacting with stakeholders in the energy sector, Hui Min found most to be open and receptive towards one another's perspectives and ideas.

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Experience and Connect

"I enjoy speaking with young people and students. It's refreshing to hear their thoughts and concerns, and to see what I can share from my experience. I remember having a lot of questions when I was their age about career choices after graduation. And getting to hear others' advice and their learnings was very helpful during that period."

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When asked for her tips to youths exploring career paths, Hui Min shared, "Take up internships. They give you the chance to experience first-hand what working in the industry is like. And take time to interact with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the work."

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"I enjoy speaking with young people and students. It's refreshing to hear their thoughts and concerns, and to see what I can share from my experience. I remember having a lot of questions when I was their age about career choices after graduation. And getting to hear others' advice and their learnings was very helpful during that period."

When asked for her tips to youths exploring career paths, Hui Min shared, "Take up internships. They give you the chance to experience first-hand what working in the industry is like. And take time to interact with colleagues, partners and stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the work."

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