Interview | Shakhida: "Every day, I'm helping build the energy of tomorrow."

As a young professional, Shakhida was quickly given responsibility and opportunities to develop further. “At ENGIE, I learned to truly seize opportunities. That openness to growth and trying new things has brought me to where I am today.”

During an Erasmus exchange programme in Finland, Shakhida discovered her passion for renewable energy. “I wanted to understand how technology can help shape the future.” This interest led her to an international Master’s programme in Smart Cities & Communities, after which she joined ENGIE through an internship. “I quickly felt that my ideas mattered here,” she says. “Even as a young professional, you are given opportunities to take initiative and grow in your role.

However, her start in the industry was not without challenges. “During my first meetings, I was often the only woman in the room. And the youngest as well. At times, I felt extra pressure to prove that I belonged there.” Today, she sees things differently. “I can see how much is changing. I’m increasingly surrounded by women who have also chosen a technical career path. When young women see other women in technical roles, it suddenly feels much more realistic for them to take that step themselves. I also think it’s great that ENGIE brings these role models into schools to inspire young people to pursue a future in STEM. It shows that technology is not just ‘for men’, but for anyone who is curious and wants to make an impact.”

Shakhida works on projects related to electric mobility and sustainable energy systems. “The best part is knowing that your work truly makes a difference. When colleagues tell you that your expertise has helped them, it’s incredibly rewarding. What I also enjoy is that I keep learning by working with specialists from different fields. It gives me the opportunity to continue developing my own expertise.”

What advice would she give to young women? “Don’t doubt yourself too much. You don’t have to be perfectly prepared before you start something. Sometimes, you just have to dare to seize an opportunity. I never imagined that I would end up living in Belgium and working on innovative energy projects at ENGIE.”