‏‏‎ ‎

Nana Rutland

OPS Group of Companies

Industrial Solar Sales Representative for Gunkul Engineering Public Company Limited & Customer consultant at Leads Maritime Company Limited

What do you do?

Greetings. My name is Nana Rutland, and I currently retain three main jobs in the energy sector. My first job is at OPS Group Company and the subsidiary company Tosco Company Limited; I am a Global Sales Manager. As a GSM, my responsibilities include managing sales departments, establishing guidelines, researching new business and client opportunities, generating leads, building positive relationships with clients, preparing sales reports, and presenting them to the executives. As for my second job, I am an Industrial Solar Sales Representative for Gunkul Engineering Public Company Limited. My responsibilities are to generate customers in the industrial sector (factory, department malls, etc.) through Private PPA, EPC and Leasing Agreements; prepare proposals, quotes, contracts or presentations for potential customers; select solar energy products, systems or services for customers based on thermal or electric energy requirements, site conditions or price; assess sites to determine suitability for solar equipment and much more. Lastly, I am a customer consultant at Leads Maritime Company Limited. My main responsibilities are to contact the customer and its service as part of order processing and provide information about the company’s products and services. Despite the challenges I’ve encountered in my jobs, I am grateful for it as it is a priceless experience that cannot be found anywhere else.

What attracted you to the company? Was getting into it challenging or easy? Explain.

The challenges are diverse depending on the industry due to their contrasting fields of work. Despite the dissimilarities of the areas, there are several common workplace challenges. For instance, communication, adapting to situations, countering negativities, problem-solving, etc. In my opinion, a degree/major is a prerequisite for a competitive workforce. Your major does not need to be aligned with the industry. What matters are your experience and networking. Moreover, using networking to the highest potential for your purpose is the key to opening doors to countless opportunities. 

What is the key to making you successful in the internship and getting to your current job?

The company’s mission, innovation, and creativity levels. That means the company is in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, and challenges are waiting for you to experience it. For me, this keeps my adrenaline going. Sure, comfort is a good and safe place to be in, but you need the challenges to grow. 

Does your degree equip you with the skills required by your job?

The key to a successful internship is to have the opportunity to participate in meaningful work assignments that allow us as an intern to learn more about the career through practice by working closely with a mentor/supervisor who makes an active effort to provide guidance and supervision. 

What are the challenges you face daily? How do you overcome them?

The degree is the foundation of your career since it is a mandatory qualification for a job role and a prerequisite for most job interviews. A degree determines your experience in a certain subject; your experience is what determines your true expertise. 

Is there any advice you would give current students to help them prepare for employment?

The most frequent challenge I’ve encountered is communication between all parties working on the project. The root of the issues is the working different schedules and time zones. For example, one project has approximately 25 companies from around the world on the contract, and the 25 companies may assign that particular group/department to more than one project per quarter. To overcome the challenges, we had to view the issues from all facets, explain the problems to all parties in detail, and then brainstorm the possible solutions, including pros and cons. Next, we select the most logical solutions; if it works, then we’re good to go; if not, we continue using the solutions from the brainstorming. 

How did your experiences or time at STIU help shape you as a person, moving from being a student to a graduate of the University?

A few pieces of advice I would give are to keep yourself open-minded, be willing to adapt to any situation, not be afraid to ask stupid questions, be curious, manage your time wisely, stay positive but keep it real and allow yourself to make mistakes. Progress over perfection (because there is no perfection in this world. 

What are your career plans?

Due to the international environment at STIU, I got to experience and interact with students and faculty members of diverse cultures and backgrounds. It made me realise the differences and similarities we all had with one another. It made me become more understanding of others.