Rachel Soares, climate trade commissioner, on how our certificate program complemented her career

Here at the Centre for Urban Energy, we offer many different opportunities for professional development, including our Postgraduate Certificate in Energy Management and Conservation, run in conjunction with the G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education. 

Rachel Soares completed our certificate program this past April. She is now part of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, an international business development service within the department of Global Affairs Canada. As a Trade Commissioner for Climate Finance, Rachel is focused on tracking financing aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation in developing countries, while connecting Canadian climate change solutions with financing opportunities. Previously Rachel worked for both the UK and Canadian governments focused on investment and business development opportunities in the energy and cleantech sector. Rachel received a BA from the University of British Columbia and an MSc from the London School of Economics before embarking on the certificate. 

We recently chatted with Rachel about her experience throughout the certificate program. 

Q: How did you first find out about the postgraduate certificate program, and why did you choose to enroll in it?

A: I became familiar with the certificate program while working with the Centre for Urban Energy. My role at the time focused on supporting Canadian clean-tech solutions expand into international markets and/or partner internationally. The program offered a good opportunity to grow my knowledge and better understand current trends within the energy sector, while also becoming better acquainted with the entrepreneurial journey.

Q: How would you describe your experience whilst working to complete the certification? Is there anything you are most proud of?

A: I found the certificate program to be a very positive experience. The content was complementary to my work, and the flexible nature of the courses fitted well with my work schedule. The courses offered were also diverse and engaging — very helpful when it came to grabbing my attention after a long day at work! It was also a pleasure to work with so many different students and to engage with instructors from many different professional backgrounds. I found myself learning a ton, not only from the course content but from the group-work/participation elements of the courses as well. 

Q: What are your key takeaways from the program?

A: The innovation and the sustainability elements of the program were the most impactful for me — lending themselves well to my profession, but also holding a lot of relevance in current discussions around climate change and clean growth. 

Q: What do you think were — and will be — the lasting benefits of the certificate to you and your future career? 

A: [I] really appreciated the guidance and insight offered by some of the instructors. The topical nature of the content prepared me well for my work with startups/scale-ups in the energy sector, and gave me confidence in the advice and guidance that I was passing on, while also allowing me to ask more targeted questions around policy and decision-making.

Q: What advice would you give to people considering the program?

A: Understand that although you are receiving a certificate, the courses are still university courses and require effort and time. The more you put in, however, the more you’ll get out.

• To learn more about our Postgraduate Certificate in Energy Management and Conservation, and other options to advance your career in the energy sector, please visit the professional development section of our website.