Get out of your comfort zone: Christina’s secret to success

Q: What attracted you to working in this industry?

I was inspired by how this industry can help tackle the world’s dual energy challenge: Providing affordable energy and products that the world needs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

It is exciting to be in the sector, as we work through the opportunities and uncertainties through the energy transition.

Q: What’s been your biggest career challenge to date and what did it teach you?

Be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable. In my career, I was placed in certain roles that had surprised me at first.

But with the strong support of my supervisors and teammates, my experiences have taught me to keep an open mind and embrace the unknown. I realized that if I had chosen to do what I already knew, I would not have experienced the greater things that I did not know.

Q: What are your tips on juggling work and personal life? 

Seek help, delegate and trust. We can’t do everything on our own. 

Be kind to people and build your network of support. People are generally helpful if you return the favor and extend kindness to them too.

Q: What advice do you have for the younger generation of female STEM superstars?

Believe in your ability. Proactively bounce off your ideas and validate your thoughts with others.

I would often ask my managers how I performed after a presentation. More often than not, they would have a different perspective from how I perceived it went. Sometimes you will realize that you may be overthinking, and that things went better than you expected!

Q: Building on International Women’s Day’s theme, #Acceleratection, what actions have you taken, or would recommend, to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce?

Simple actions like asking the opinions of those who have not spoken up in a meeting, creates an opportunity for diversity of thought.

When we select people to work in a team, it is important to have people from different backgrounds so that we can leverage the different experiences and perspectives for more robust discussions.