I am so grateful for the opportunity to be part of the first UChicago delegation to CERAWeek—this has been the best experience I’ve had at UChicago so far. Our delegation was incredibly diverse, and I learned so much just from interacting with fellow students. CERAWeek itself was an eye-opening experience, bringing together giants from the oil, gas, and new energy sectors. It gave us a real-time view of what’s happening in the industry today.
One of my biggest takeaways was realizing how dynamic this sector is—just when you think you understand it, a new innovation comes along and changes everything. The shift to new energies is still in its early stages, but it is unstoppable. We have to keep striving for change while also recognizing that transformation takes time—it took 150 years to reach where we are with oil and gas, so we must give new energies at least a few decades to scale up effectively.
Beyond the sessions, the networking opportunities were incredible. I had the chance to connect with executives from major companies and hear firsthand about their experiences and perspectives. Engaging with the broader NextGen Leaders community was also a highlight—I loved meeting young professionals who are passionate about shaping the future of energy. Overall, CERAWeek has been an inspiring and transformative experience, giving me invaluable insights into an industry that is at the center of global change.