Isabel Neo is the first student to take advantage of the ESG internship from the University of Leeds. Here is her story…
In the 12 years that Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd has been working with the University of Leeds, the two organisations have achieved a lot together. In addition to supplying the university with its print solution, more than 750 students have benefited from advice and support from the team, while studying for their Master of Business Administration (MBA) postgraduate qualification, and Undergraduate students studying a module on Digital Transformation.
As part of this long and successful partnership, this year Konica Minolta also launched its first ESG Internship opportunity, to help students gain the real-world experience employers are often looking for. Its internship programme has become an important part of the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) initiative. The first student to benefit is Leeds University Business School student Isabel Neo.
Forging a career that makes a difference
Driven by an ambition to make a tangible impact on the environment, Isabel decided to begin working towards a career in sustainability. Taking advantage of every opportunity, Isabel joined the Student Sustainability & Community Engagement Circle and EARTHSHOT Entrepreneur Club, giving her the chance to collaborate with like-minded students from different disciplines. Isabel has been building her green skills, enrolling on extra-curricular sustainability courses, and actively seeking an opportunity to apply these skills in the real-world.
“Through the university’s Leader in Residence network I was introduced to Milan Lakhani at Konica Minolta,” explains Isabel. Milan is the Director of Digital and Sustainable Business Transformation at Konica Minolta Business Solutions Europe and Konica Minolta Inc and leads the company’s partnership with the university.
“I was impressed by Isabel’s proactivity and the work she was undertaking to help realise her career ambitions in an area that I personally find so rewarding,” comments Milan. “It is inspiring to see students want to make a difference and recognising the importance of ESG in the world of business.”
Gaining real-world experience
Following this meeting, Isabel was offered an internship, working alongside Gillian Nuttall and Ben Mills in Konica Minolta’s UK ESG team. Isabel started in January and her working days are always different: “I get involved in a lot of research on the different sustainability reporting standards, conducting gap analyses, and performing data analysis for our circular economy programme. I have been genuinely surprised by how much Konica Minolta do. Their innovative digital and sustainable solutions really show how technology can make a real difference."
The internship has made Isabel realise that her business acumen is very relevant to ESG. Isabel explains: “I see an increasing trend where ESG and business cannot be seen as two separate entities anymore. ESG will become more embedded as more businesses of all sizes recognise the need to ensure their operations are positively impacting their people and the environment.”
With an increasingly impressive CV, Isabel is exploring opportunities to become an ESG Consultant or ESG Analyst after her studies. She is also continuing to expand her knowledge, experience and credentials through carbon accounting courses and seeking certification from the Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP).
A supportive university
Isabel has some good advice for other students to develop their own career pathways: “Don’t be afraid of striking a conversation with the lecturers, even if you are not on first name terms. I am confident to say that every educator at the University of Leeds wants the best for their students and would be happy to help your individual growth. Take part in conversations that you are passionate about. Find opportunities to work towards them. Or create your own.”
“I want to thank Dr Louisa Hill, my academic personal tutor, and Emily Crosbie from the university, who have been so supportive of my career goals and increased my career confidence in sustainability as a business student,” says Isabel.
The team at Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd wishes Isabel every success in her studies and future career.
Find out more about the partnership between the University of Leeds and Konica Minolta Business Solutions (UK) Ltd: https://business.leeds.ac.uk/faculty/news/article/1274/celebrating-a-decade-of-partnership-with-konica-minolta-driving-success-in-the-leeds-mba-programme