Commercialising sustainability:

For Bachelor of Commerce student Aditya Talukder, a SCOUT internship with CAS Energy was an opportunity to explore the commercial side of sustainability while contributing to an innovative industry project.

Working alongside students from a range of disciplines, Aditya helped investigate the commercialisation of CAS Energy's Smart Greenhouse Living Lab. His role focused on estimating revenue streams, assessing capital expenditure and exploring government grant opportunities to support investment in the project.

"The sustainability sector has become increasingly topical over the past few years, particularly with the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence," Aditya said. "When given the chance to investigate the positive impacts of such shifts, I was immediately interested."

Throughout the internship, Aditya worked closely with his team and industry supervisors, presenting weekly progress updates and contributing to the strategic direction of the project. The experience strengthened his professional communication skills and gave him practical exposure to project management in an industry setting.

"I would say my skills in stakeholder communication have improved the most over the course of this internship experience," he said. "Navigating weekly presentations and incorporating constructive feedback are essential elements of any career, making it one of the most transferable skills I've developed this semester."

Beyond developing technical and commercial skills, the internship gave Aditya a new appreciation for working with students from different academic backgrounds.

"The simple pleasure of being so connected with other faculties came as a nice change of pace from regular university life," he said. "It great to see UoM students given the opportunity to work so closely with a diverse group of skillsets while still making progress towards their future career aspirations."

The experience has also helped shape Aditya's future career direction, reinforcing his interest in corporate and institutional banking through the practical experience he gained in sourcing funding and evaluating commercial opportunities.

Reflecting on the internship, Aditya encourages other students to make the most of everything SCOUT has to offer.

"I would highly recommend it," he said. "The internship will provide you with as much as you put into it. So, if you consider yourself dedicated and diligent, you will only benefit from this opportunity."

If you're looking to apply your knowledge to a real industry challenge, develop practical professional skills and collaborate with students from across the University, a SCOUT internship is an opportunity to build confidence while making a meaningful contribution to industry.

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