From Solution Architect to Sustainability Platform Consultant
Andres Ravinet moved companies to apply his Solution Architect skills to a new sector in the sustainability space
WHERE ARE YOU NOW?
Now, I’m consulting on how to leverage a sustainability platform to help customers with their sustainability commitments and initiatives.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING?
Cross technology solution architect that consulted large enterprise customers.
WHY DID YOU CHANGE?
The reason I changed, and I’m finding this pretty often with others, is having kids gave me a new perspective on what kind of impact I want to be creating here on in. With that drive, and my ‘admiration’ for my company’s commitments at work drove me to shift industry. The work was not scalable, it required to cover many different technology solution areas. However, it was gratifying to meet customers and problems.
HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT MAKING THE SHIFT?
I had a few opportunities to work in a different capacity in my previous role. My company also offered lots of training, and I took it upon myself to attend a sustainability business management course. Oh yeah and lots of networking.
“People are willing to help if you ask them.”
WHAT HELP DID YOU GET?
Lots of support in the grueling process of waiting and eagerness in wanting to dive into the industry. And I had the opportunity internally at my company and shadow conversations.
WHAT RESOURCES WOULD YOU RECOMMEND?
Lots of great books out there. The one that really stood out to me and helped behold my vocabulary and foundational knowledge in this space was Bill Gates’s How to avoid a climate disaster.
WHAT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT THING YOU FACED?
Taking the leap. There were lots of risks, involved, possible reduction in salary and lack of real world experience.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNT IN THE PROCESS
I have learnt that people are willing to help if you ask them.
WHAT WORDS OF ADVICE WOULD YOU OFFER TO THOSE LOOKING TO MAKE A TRANSITION THEMSELVES?
It’s a large industry, focusing on one aspect and start there first.
