Her Story
About Ayten
My career path has been shaped by my passion for sustainability and my desire to make a meaningful impact on climate change. I started with an electrical engineering background from a technical university, but during my studies I realized I was more interested in the business side of technology rather than hardcore engineering. This led me to pursue a master's degree in Green Technologies at USC (now called Sustainability Management), where I took an interdisciplinary approach combining engineering and business courses with a focus on the business aspect. During my master's program, I also conducted research and worked on publications, which I continue to do today. I had internships with renewable energy companies as a student, and while I initially worked in the transportation mobility space after graduation, I always loved renewable energy and decided it was time to go back to it. I recently transitioned to my current role in the renewable energy sector about six months ago, which also coincided with my move to Hawaii. In my current position, I work with clients to generate new business, handle business development, and create marketing content for the company. I'm currently enrolled in a professional doctorate in business program at Westcliffe University to strengthen my business acumen while continuing to publish research on sustainability and business. I'm passionate about exploring how enabling technologies like AI and Web3 can advance sustainability, and I focus on innovations that can improve both society and the environment. I'm particularly interested in the clean energy sector because there's so much potential for positive impact.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ayten
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
One of my mentors used to tell me 'if there is a will, then there is a way,' which has always inspired me. But the career advice that really shaped my path came from another mentor who told me to find purpose in what I love to do and try to make that into something that becomes my income - to turn that into my job. That advice really resonated with me and was another reason why I turned away from electrical engineering. Even though my electrical engineering background helps me with my current and previous jobs, when that advice clicked for me, I realized I didn't want to be doing hardcore engineering. I had discovered something I loved and wanted to channel that into how I could make money from it.
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