Unveiling the Impact: OnePointFive Academy Scholarship Stories
At OnePointFive Academy we firmly believe in making sustainability training accessible to all. We’re up-skilling today’s global workers in key actionable skills, ensuring the workforce of the future is well prepared to develop intentional climate solutions to sustainably scale businesses.
We've proudly awarded over $90,000 in scholarships to applicants of our latest cohort of Fellows, underscoring our commitment to training and empowering 100,000 sustainability professionals for 2030. OPF Academy Fellows requiring financial support hail from diverse backgrounds and career stages. They recognize the importance of up-skilling but face financial constraints due to various circumstances - and have shared their stories with us below.
Meet Our Cohort 3 Scholarship Fellows
Mexico City, Mexico
Isaac boasts a rich background in Energy Projects, Sustainability, and Blockchain. He has immersed himself in the energy sector for over a decade, primarily working in oil and gas. During an international move, Isaac spent 18 months in Europe delving into renewable energy and sustainability reporting. His involvement in advising clients on the corporate sustainability reporting directive (CSRB) broadened his understanding of materiality and client expectations.
Recognizing the gaps in his sustainability knowledge through his advisory work, Isaac embarked on a journey to enhance his sustainability skillset and toolkit. "I stumbled upon OPF and I joined!" he exclaimed. Mentioning, "I'm currently moving countries and between jobs,” Isaac emphasizes that financial support was imperative to his career development. Such transitions are common for many mid-career, climate-curious individuals making a career shift, and we take pride in being a springboard for folks like Isaac.
When asked about his aspirations and the role of accessibility in his approach, Isaac shared, "I'm also trying to bring all this sustainability consciousness to Mexico where things are developing at a slower pace. And I think the Academy will help me, or is helping me, to bring this knowledge to people who otherwise would not necessarily have it or seek it out." In supporting Isaac's journey, we reinforce our commitment to fostering inclusive sustainability education and empowering individuals to drive positive change.
Recently, Isaac joined Sustain Value as Global Director of Sustainability Strategy where he’ll be focusing on strategic ESG advisory, corporate growth strategies, climate action, and developing sustainability roadmaps.
Shanghai, China
As her graduation from the Finance Master’s program at Singapore Management University approached, Chang eagerly anticipated launching her career in sustainability consulting related to ESG. Reflecting on her journey, she recounted, “I used to be an intern in UNDP, United Nations Development Programming, and this was the first time I got some access to sustainable finance, but I had no chance to [do] any systematic learning or networking.” Motivated by this experience, Chang expressed, “I want to know more people working in this area. And that's the reason why I choose OPF Academy.”
To access OPF Academy's enriching community, Chang required financial assistance, noting, “I don't have a stable financial income as a student.” As proponents of lifelong learning, we were delighted to offer Chang a generous scholarship to address her financial constraints.
During our interview with Chang for this blog, she shared some exciting news, “Fortunately, I have received positive updates on my job search. I recently received an offer from RSM, a consulting company in Singapore, where I will be focusing on ESG advisory.” Looking ahead, Chang expressed enthusiasm about obtaining an additional ESG certificate to maintain her commitment to continuous learning.
Denver, CO
Hasan possesses a diverse background in Sustainable Development, System Dynamics Modeling, and Data Analysis. His academic journey includes a master's degree in Philosophy of Science at Sharif University of Technology and Physics at Texas Tech University, driven by a curiosity to explore the development of new theories. This exploration ignited his interest in climate and its potential to positively impact people's lives, motivating him to strive for a balanced future between humanity and nature.
When reflecting on his decision to join OPF Academy, Hasan shared, “My training in sustainability was mostly academic, theoretical, and at the end. My PhD, I was interested in seeing how I can make real-world impacts. I started consulting and that led me to OPF. was just browsing LinkedIn, and I found an event just a few days before the start of the OPFA. As soon as the event started, I realized that's what was missing from my portfolio – to get a real hands-on experience on how sustainability consulting is being done.”
Despite his eagerness to participate, Hasan initially faced financial constraints. He recalled, “Joining OPF Academy was beyond my financial capability at the time.” However, recognizing the significance of the opportunity, he overcame his hesitations. Hasan realized, "If I don't apply, I cannot join the academy.”
Now that Hasan has completed his PhD and OPFA, he shares, “I'm just excited about the future!” Since speaking with Hasan, he received an offer to join Rho Impact’s Winter 2024 Research Fellowship, a 6-week paid training program that leads to a contract position upon successful completion. He’s particularly excited about the opportunity to leverage and improve his sustainability skills, combining them with my interests in data science and software development, all in an emerging field looking for innovative solutions in low-GHG technology deployment for Early-Stage Ventures. He became aware of this opportunity through a posting in our community-led Circle space, shared by Julia Akker, an instructor at OPFA.
Milian, Italy
After earning a degree in Political Science, Olayinka was deeply inspired by the notion of contributing to Sustainable Development and improving the planet. With a background in sustainability analysis, data collection, inventory management, and project coordination, Olayinka was poised to immerse himself fully in sustainability work. He explains, “The main reason why I applied for the OPFA Scholarship was because I wanted to attend the academy, but financially I am not in that position to pay to be upskilled. I work part-time at the moment because I don't have the necessary skills to convince them to make me full-time or to give me more projects to increase my workload.” Recognizing the importance of upskilling, he adds, "So, I applied for the scholarship to improve my skills, enabling me to negotiate with my employers. I am grateful for the opportunity as I wouldn't have been able to attend the program otherwise and attain the skills necessary for my future endeavors." Adopting a humble stance, he acknowledges the vast knowledge awaiting him and the advantage of obtaining an industry-specific certification to enhance his prospects in job interviews.
Olayinka underscores that the most valuable aspect of the Academy, apart from the educational content, lies in the breakout rooms, labs, and the community-led Circle community. These platforms offer a unique opportunity to engage with fellow aspiring sustainability professionals, fostering discussions on topics like GHG Accounting, NetZero Strategies, and more, while also providing hands-on experience. The community-led Circle community enables fellows to connect with vetted Climate Business Professionals across all OPF cohorts, tapping into their expertise and experiences at various stages of their sustainability journey.
Having completed the Academy, Olayinka now feels confident in conveying his newfound knowledge. “I can now confidently explain to stakeholders without telling them I would research on this one and get back to you.” Discussing his future aspirations, he expresses particular excitement about the prospect of joining a firm or even establishing his own in the future.
Scholarship Fellows Support 100K Initiative
OnePointFive is committed to training and activating 100K sustainability professionals by 2030, with our Scholarship Fellows playing a pivotal role in this endeavor. By lowering financial barriers, we empower more individuals to upskill, driving us closer to our 100K for 2030 initiative and narrowing the widening green skills gap, now doubling in size. This means that more job postings require specific green skills than there are professionals possessing these skills. While many aspire to attain these skills through internships or employment, OPFA offers an alternative route to upskilling and practical training through our six-week Sustainability Accelerator. Research indicates that individuals with green skills experience a 29 percent higher hiring rate. Through Fellow’s like Hasan, Isaac, and Chang, we've witnessed that Academy graduates are more likely to secure new roles or positions.
When we inquired about our 100K initiative, our Scholarship Fellows expressed enthusiasm about contributing to the future workforce. Upon learning about the Green Jobs Report, Olayinka recognized the impact of our initiative, stating, “It's bridging the gap between demand and supply. There are all these solutions being created, but there's not the workforce to support it.” Chang remarked, “We all know we need people, money, resources to achieve our goals. If we have more people working on these areas, I'm sure that we are going to push forward towards our 2030 course.” Envisioning a world with 100,000 sustainability professionals ready to lead, Hasan eagerly anticipates a time when “we have overcome a major barrier.”
Although much remains to be done, we are progressing toward our goal. If you're considering applying and require a scholarship, don't hesitate! Spots are limited, and the sooner you apply, the greater your chances of receiving the necessary financial support.
