Turning sustainability into strategy:

For Master of Management student Amira Damayanti, a SCOUT internship with CAS Energy was an opportunity to put classroom learning into practice while working on a project with genuine social and environmental impact.

As part of a multidisciplinary student team, Amira contributed to the Eco-Pods project, exploring the business potential of sustainable modular housing in Australia. The project focused on addressing housing affordability through innovative, scalable housing solutions, while balancing commercial viability with environmental and social outcomes.

"I was interested in this internship because it combined sustainability with business strategy," Amira said. "The Eco-Pods project was especially meaningful because it addressed housing affordability, sustainability and innovation at the same time. It gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learned in class to a real project with real strategic decisions."

Throughout the internship, Amira conducted market research, developed business models and assessed financial feasibility, working closely with students from architecture, construction, IT and environmental disciplines.

One of the biggest takeaways was learning how to transform an ambitious idea into a practical business solution.

"The most valuable skill I developed was learning how to turn a broad sustainability idea into a clearer business strategy," she said. "I learned how to evaluate whether an idea is not only meaningful, but also practical, scalable and commercially viable."

Working in a multidisciplinary SCOUT team also showed Amira the value of bringing different perspectives together to solve complex challenges.

"Each team member brought a different way of thinking, which made the project more realistic and comprehensive," she said. "I learned that strong solutions do not come from one perspective alone. They require technical feasibility, commercial thinking, sustainability knowledge and clear communication."

The experience has reinforced Amira's career aspirations to work at the intersection of sustainability, investment and business strategy, where commercial success and positive social impact go hand in hand.

Looking back, she encourages other students to embrace the opportunity to learn beyond the classroom.

"A SCOUT internship allows you to apply classroom knowledge to a real project, work with people from different disciplines, and better understand your own strengths and career interests," Amira said. "You gain a much deeper understanding of how real-world problems are solved."

If you're looking to challenge yourself, develop practical industry experience and make a meaningful contribution alongside students from diverse disciplines, a SCOUT internship is an opportunity to turn your learning into real-world impact.

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