Margalida Ortega Adrover
Current Employer/Organisation Name
ENGICO2EN SLP
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
I did a 6 month internship at Melià Hotels International. I was in the Energy Efficiency department at their Headquarters in Palma (Mallorca). Shortly after the internship finished, in January 2019 I joined a small engineering firm based in Celrà (Girona). Since the COVID outbreak I have been working from home mostly, which has given me the opportunity to expand the company in Mallorca, and we are now taking clients here as well. We work in energy efficiency (energy audits for companies, building energy certificates (commercial and residential, energy assessments, etc.). We also work in the solar PV sector, developing and legalising solar projects for households, public buildings, companies, solar farms, etc. Our sister company, Watts at Home Energia, is dedicated to installing small to mid scale solar PV systems. I am involved in developing, installing, supervising, commissioning and maintaining these systems as well. In April 2020 I enroled in an MBA in Energy Management (part time, online, non official) by CEREM International Business School.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
I think you can refer to my previous entry regarding this point. I love engineering and I love sustainability and this career is the perfect mix of both of these. I am passionate about making the world a better place and working in an exciting and quickly-evolving sector as energy is absolutely fantastic. I also think there is a lot of work to be done at home (Mallorca) so I want to take part in the energy revolution here. I love my job because I am involved in almost every stage of every project, which allows me to develop plenty of varied skills.
Please tell us if you were a member of any societies, groups or sports clubs?
I was a member (and was in the committee at least two years) of the Renewable Energy Society. I was also in FX Orchestra (I was in the committee one year). I was a less active member of the International Society, the Hip Hop Society and the Ballroom Club. I was very active in SSLC (I was third year rep and I was subject co-chair in my fourth year).
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
I loved how industry-focussed most of the modules were. I also loved the fact that, it being a small department, everyone knew each other and there was a sense of familiarity and helpfulness throughout.
What did you enjoy most about studying here?
The welcoming atmosphere, the location of the campus, the lecturers (most of them anyway), the range of societies and ways of getting involved aside from academically.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
Because it offered an engineering degree entirely based on Renewable Energy, and it was also a very highly ranked University.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Communication skills, problem solving. Asking a lot of questions and not being ashamed of not knowing something. Working hard. A lot of the assignments I did while at Uni have proven to be extremely similar to work projects I do now.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Don’t give up! It’s tough but it’s worth it. Also find a job you enjoy. Pushing through months and months of a job you dislike just for the CV isn’t going to make it any easier in the future, you’re just going to be miserable. Be reasonable, but don’t settle for a job you aren’t happy doing.
What are your plans for the future?
Finishing my masters. Continue expanding the company towards the Balearic Islands in order to get more installations and projects going here. In the far future, I might consider setting up my own company. But for now, my current company gives me everything I can ask for.
