The EV Summit’s Top Women in EV (TWIEV) which returned recently for its third year has been a huge success once again. One of the important components of the event is the mentorship programme and TWIEV are reminding potential applicants, for both early-career and peer-to-peer mentoring, that applications close this week.
To apply for 2022 mentoring programme press here.
The aim of the programme is to empower women in the earlier stages of their careers, connecting them with fellow women in the electric vehicle (EV) industry to help unlock doors.
The mentoring element allows women in the earlier stages of their careers to apply to be mentored by an experienced emobility professional in their field.
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Nina Harjula, Head of Marketing, Danfoss Editron and Incubation Divisions, said: “As part of the Empowering Women in EV program, I volunteered for mentoring. And almost exactly one year ago, I had my first connection with Raagini Gopi from Australia.
“The two hour mentoring program between two people from across the globe, turned into a longer lasting relationship and I have been following her journey through finishing her studies and finding the first job in the industry. She has so much potential and I hope that I have been able to guide her on her way.”
Raagini Gopi, Graduate Engineer at Ventia, said: “This has been an encouraging relationship, we have done practical things like getting ready for job interviews or I have received tips from Nina on interesting and relevant organisations and studies to look into for the work I’ve been doing. I’m happy we continued to keep in touch and would ask more students to take part in such mentoring programs”
The mentorship programme has also led to real-world job success in previous years. At last year’s event, Jean Hay successfully applied to the programme and was partnered with Charnjit Saranna, co-founder and CFO at Electric Zoo, which provides zero-emission vehicle solutions.
The partnership worked well and resulted in Charnjit offering Jean a position with Electric Zoo. Jean is now working with electric Zoo in a business development role.
Jean Hay, now in Business Development at Electric Zoo, said: “As an electric vehicle driver for seven years and with a background in bringing EVs into Motorsport, I had a passion for encouraging uptake among whoever would listen. I didn’t however, have any experience in fleet management or sales.
“As a result, I attended the online event and decided to register for the Top Women in EV Mentorship Programme. I was paired with Charnjit and we were introduced via email in June. I found Charnjit instantly approachable, encouraging and very easy to get on with.
“By September Electric Zoo had decided to expand their EV Subscription service with a Scottish Office in Glasgow and armed with local knowledge, I started my new Business Development role with Electric Zoo. I’m now proud to have Charnjit as an ongoing mentor, inspiration and friend.”
