GEP Environmental’s Shamir Robinson wins Class Medal

Today, we’re celebrating Shamir’s accomplishments, and how far he has come along with the business in just a few short years.

How long have you worked at GEP Environmental?

I’ve worked here for a year and a few months, joining in July 2021. I’ve worked throughout my degree, part time while I was studying during the year and full time during the summer period.

Tell me about your degree – what degree did you study? What was your concentration, and what part of your degree did you enjoy most?

I recently finished an MBA in Engineering Management, following on from a Masters degree in Energy Engineering from Edinburgh Napier University. This degree offered more of a generic approach to management and engineering, which was nice – instead of just focusing on the nitty gritty of getting the projects finished, I was able to attend lectures about running a business. It was fascinating to learn about finance, supply chain, creating and maintaining interpersonal relationships, keeping morale up during trying times. All the topics were interesting, but I found it particularly fascinating to learn about the supply chain and how that affects business. It was also interesting to hear more about finance, and to be able to apply my learning into specific projects that I was working on at GEPEnv, such as large solar farms and other similar projects.

The MBA was different from my previous Masters degree, where we focused more on the science behind engineering and I was able to publish articles in industry publications. However, I’ve always known I’ve wanted to move into a management position, so this degree has (hopefully) given me the background I need to achieve that dream.

You recently won an award – can you tell me a bit about it?

I won the class medal – I was the top of my class. I wasn’t expecting to win, because there were so many intelligent people at the university, but it’s great to be recognised for my work.

You’ve worked and studied simultaneously – can you tell me about any times that your work experience has informed your studies, or vice versa?

Sure – basically, I tried to be smart and think ahead when I was choosing coursework. Most of the time, I was able to choose something related to what I was working on at GEP Environmental, so work and studies could move forward in tandem, which was very helpful for my understanding (and
helpful in the projects I worked on too, I hope!)

One of the times that work experience and school experience collided was when I was writing my dissertation. I could choose a set of topics to debate, and one of them was the government’s EPC campaign, and the impacts of the campaign. This correlated with the energy assessments I was conducting onsite. It was great to get that real boots on the ground insight from GEP Environmental, and to see the scientific side of things as well.

As you join GEP Environmental full-time, how are you looking forward to incorporating your studies into your work? Are there any projects that you’re particularly excited to work on?

I’m excited to have more time to work at GEP Environmental, and to really get stuck in on the client side of things and take more responsibility. I try to do as much as I can in terms of business development, and I’m looking forward to learning more and developing with the company.

I’m also excited to work on projects that focus on new green technology. One of the sites I worked on this year was a green island. When we began the project, all electricity was produced via diesel, and the GEP Environmental team had the opportunity to install all new technology, including hydraulic innovations and other types of renewable energy – it was all very cool, and something I’m keen to explore further in the workplace.

How would you say that your experience at GEP Environmental has shaped or added to your studies?

Coming to Scotland and joining GEP Environmental has been a big change. I’m from the Dominican Republic, which is a tropical island, so the weather (and the heating and cooling systems used in this part of the world) was a big change for me. When I moved here, it was the first time I’d ever seen a water radiator in person! It’s been a great experience to be able to expand on my engineering knowledge and see how overall heating and cooling systems are developed.

Less practically, it’s been critical to my studies to see how a business really works. I’m excited to keep expanding my knowledge, and work with GEP Environmental’s clients.

Congratulations on all your hard work, Shamir – we look forward to watching you move from strength to strength at GEP Environmental.