Voices of the Energy Transition: Meet the Women of SEforALL’s STEM Traineeship in Latin America

The latest cohort of SEforALL’s STEM Traineeship Programme reflects on what it takes to build a just and inclusive energy future.

Only a fraction of the global workforce holds the skills needed for today’s green economy, and women remain significantly underrepresented across the energy sector, from entry-level roles to boardrooms. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)’s STEM Traineeship Programme was built to change that. In this piece, Sakshi Chandra from UN-Energy speaks with the latest cohort about what that change looks like in practice.

Launched in November 2025 in partnership with The Latin American and Caribbean Energy Organization (OLACDE), the latest edition of the programme brought together four young women from Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras and Mexico for a six-month traineeship combining hands-on technical work with professional development. The trainees conducted landscape analyses of their countries’ energy sectors, examined pathways to unlock financing for SDG7, and supported the advancement of country-specific Energy Compact commitments, working closely with project partners throughout.

They now join a growing network of more than 40 alumni who have completed the STEM Traineeship across Ghana, Kenya, Panama, Sierra Leone and Tanzania, a robust community of young women professionals driving national energy goals forward. The programme was also recognized by the COP30 Presidency in the Granary of Solutions as a case study in just and inclusive energy transition. 

As this cohort closes its chapter, we sat down with the trainees to hear in their own words: what the experience meant, what they learned, and what comes next.

In conversation with Jessica Sotelo Gil (Mexico)

What inspired you to apply for the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme, and what were you hoping to gain from it?

Back then I was coming from a scientific background, I was doing research in electrochemistry, so I was already familiar with energy-related topics, but at the molecular level. At the same time, and ever since I was a teenager, I have been interested in understanding what we need to change as a society to reduce our impact on natural resources and how we can become more resilient to the challenges of climate change. So this traineeship felt like a great opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills I had developed throughout my studies while also stepping outside my comfort zone. It offered the chance to engage with one of the most important challenges we face today: advancing a just and sustainable energy transition.

Can you describe what you worked on during your traineeship?

The main project we worked on was an assessment and diagnosis of the energy sector in our respective countries, in my case, Mexico. We started from the ground up, examining the country’s energy generation mix, climate commitments and GHG reduction targets, institutional and regulatory frameworks, as well as public policies related to energy justice and the main barriers to financing energy transition projects. It gave me a much broader understanding of the energy sector and the complex challenges involved in advancing a sustainable and just energy transition. Beyond this project, I also had the opportunity to contribute to gender and youth-focused initiatives in collaboration with OCLADE, which were equally enriching.

Throughout the traineeship, we participated in regular training sessions led by experts on topics such as sustainable cooling, energy efficiency, clean cooking and energy modelling, and we also received training in professional soft skills such as public speaking, communication, CV writing and interviewing.

Most days were dedicated to advancing our main project, complemented by training sessions, meetings with fellow trainees, and calls with the OCLADE team, which made every week dynamic and engaging.

What has been your single biggest takeaway from this experience?

The biggest mindset shift I experienced was moving from an isolated way of thinking to a systems perspective. I gained a much deeper understanding of how closely energy is connected to water resources, land use and climate change, and how these relationships work in both directions. It is almost like an interconnected web, where changing one node affects everything around it. This realization changed the way I think about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Achieving SDG7 can have ripple effects across many other areas: improving cold chains for vaccines and medicines (SDG3), supporting industrial electrification and cleaner technologies (SDG9), and contributing to more sustainable water management (SDG6), to name a few.

This reinforced my belief in the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. No single person can be an expert in everything, and the complex challenges we face today require diverse perspectives. If we want decisions to be as effective and robust as possible, they need to be made collectively.

You were part of a cohort working across Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras and Mexico. What was it like collaborating with peers from different countries?

I loved it! Working in multicultural environments is one of the things I enjoy the most. Building connections with people from different backgrounds helps me recognize the incredible diversity of realities that exist, step outside my own bubble and become more aware of the challenges individuals may face due to the political, economic, social and even climatic conditions of their country.

What are the biggest energy challenges facing Mexico right now, in your view?

One of the main challenges is the insufficient investment in the maintenance, modernization and expansion of Mexico’s transmission and distribution infrastructure in recent years, which has become a significant barrier to the integration of renewable energy sources.

Another key issue is Mexico’s dependence on imported natural gas. Around 60 percent of electricity generation comes from combined cycle plants powered by natural gas, and approximately 70 percent of that gas is imported from the United States. This creates vulnerability to geopolitical tensions and places Mexico in a relatively exposed energy security position. At the same time, this context represents a major opportunity to accelerate renewable energy deployment. Mexico’s national target for 2030 is to reach 25 to 38 percent clean and renewable energy in its electricity mix, which could potentially strengthen the country’s energy sovereignty. The recent regulations on energy storage systems are an important step forward, as they will significantly support the expansion of intermittent renewable technologies such as solar and wind power.

How does the work you did during the traineeship connect to those national priorities?

Our research aimed to identify areas in which Mexico requires financing to advance its energy transition projects, an adequate financing structure is essentially a key enabler for any project. But what stood out most to me was the importance of analyzing the broader sector context through an energy justice lens. The current administration is the first in which the terms “energy justice” and “energy poverty” have been formally incorporated into energy sector legislation. For me, it was especially relevant to assess the extent to which these concepts are not only stated on paper, but effectively implemented in practice. It has been encouraging to see how organizations such as UN-Energy and SEforALL are supporting developing countries to ensure the energy transition is addressed not only from a technical perspective, but more importantly, from a social one.

Is there a specific energy solution in Mexico that deserves more attention globally?

Geothermal energy! This is an area with significant potential in Mexico, as in many other countries, that has not yet been fully developed due to the high level of risk inherent to the resource. But if developed under strong practices, it could bring multiple benefits: lower CO₂ emissions, direct use of thermal energy, generally less water use compared to fossil fuel power plants, and a smaller land footprint compared to technologies such as solar PV.

How has this traineeship prepared you for your next steps?

I have mainly gained much more confidence. The projects we carried out, along with the programme’s training sessions, gave me the knowledge and skills to understand the energy sector in a more holistic way. It has also given me new dreams and aspirations! It broadened my perspective and helped me gain clarity about what I want to pursue moving forward.

What is one thing you would say to a young woman in Mexico who is considering a career in the energy sector?

First and foremost, in both good and difficult times, place your trust in God. After that, a few recommendations: learn English as much as you can, as well as data processing tools. Be open when someone offers you help, and accept it. The energy sector can be challenging, and as women we still face certain disadvantages, but there are many people who genuinely want to support us. Learn to recognize them and take the opportunities when they come, as sometimes they only come once.

Never forget the people who have helped you along the way, try to give back when you can, and stay true to yourself wherever you go.

In conversation with Maria Juliana Otero (Colombia)

What inspired you to apply for the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme, and what were you hoping to gain from it?
I applied because I’ve always been interested in the energy sector and wanted to better understand how energy can be used as a tool to improve people’s lives. As an engineer, I was already familiar with some of the technical aspects, but I wanted to learn more about the human side of energy access and the role it plays in development.

Can you briefly describe what you worked on during your traineeship?

During my traineeship, I worked on research related to energy access and energy transition challenges in Latin America. A lot of my time was spent reviewing reports, analyzing information and collaborating with my fellow trainees. Every week felt a little different — we had a lot of trainings with experts, and one of my favourite parts was being able to connect what we were learning with my local context in Colombia.

What has been your single biggest takeaway from this experience?

I think my biggest takeaway was realizing just how much energy impacts every aspect of people’s lives. Before this experience, I knew energy was important, but I mostly thought about it in terms of electricity and infrastructure. Now I see how it affects education, healthcare, economic opportunities, gender equality, and so much more. I was especially surprised by the impact reliable energy access can have on women and youth.

You were part of a cohort working across Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras and Mexico. What was it like collaborating with peers from different countries and contexts?

Honestly, it was one of the best parts of the programme. Before this experience, I hadn’t had many opportunities to interact closely with women from across Latin America who were around my age and interested in similar topics. It was amazing to learn about their experiences, their countries, and the challenges they see in their own communities.

It definitely changed how I approached the work. Even though many of our countries face similar challenges, the realities can be very different, so it taught me the importance of listening, keeping an open mind and understanding local contexts.

What are the biggest energy challenges facing Colombia right now, in your view?

I think one of the biggest challenges is making sure that everyone has access to reliable electricity. Sometimes a community may technically be considered connected, but people still experience outages that last for days or only have electricity for part of the day.

How does the work you did during the traineeship connect to those national priorities?

One thing this traineeship helped me understand is that energy access is about much more than infrastructure. It’s also about affordability, reliability and making sure solutions actually meet the needs of the communities they serve. A lot of what I learned felt very relevant to Colombia, especially when thinking about rural and remote areas where access and reliability continue to be major challenges.

Is there a specific energy issue or solution in Colombia that you think deserves more attention globally?

I think the conversation around energy reliability deserves more attention. When people talk about energy access, they often focus on whether a community is connected or not, but that doesn’t always tell the full story. Reliable and consistent access is just as important. I also think there is a lot that can be learned from decentralized renewable energy solutions that can help serve remote communities more effectively.

How has this traineeship prepared you for your next steps?

This traineeship helped me realize how much I’ve learned and how much there is still to learn. With this experience I confirmed my interest in working in the energy sector, and this motivated me to continue building the knowledge and skills needed to contribute to the energy transition. It motivated me to continue my studies in the energy sector with an emphasis on energy for development.

What is one thing you would say to a young woman in Colombia who is considering a career in the energy sector?

Just go for it. Don’t count yourself out because you think you don’t know enough or aren’t qualified enough.

In conversation with Paula Camila Meneses Polo (Ecuador)

What inspired you to apply for the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme, and what were you hoping to gain from it?

Since I was a little girl, I have always felt a deep connection to climate issues. However, what truly inspired me to apply to SEforALL, with the earnest hope of being selected, was the desire to belong to a community composed entirely of women driven to learn about SDG7. In my past experience, I often found myself in environments where youth and gender were perceived as disadvantages. 

Finding a programme specifically designed to empower young women in the energy sector through meaningful work felt like a guiding light, both professionally and personally. For me, this represented not just a great career opportunity, but a clear direction forward at a time when I felt lost amidst biased, patriarchal mindsets and age-related skepticism.

Can you briefly describe what you worked on during your traineeship?

My work focused on how to create genuine opportunities for women and youth within our region’s energy sector. A typical week was a dynamic mix of extensive reading, researching what different countries are implementing, learning how to design sustainable energy projects and creating multimedia deliverables.

One of my favorite activities was co-designing the strategic plan for a Regional Youth Council, which I developed alongside my counterpart, Jessica from Mexico. We spent hours brainstorming how to build a framework that actually works, ensuring that young people have a real seat at the decision-making table rather than being mere spectators listening to others talk.

What has been your single biggest takeaway from this experience?

I used to believe that making a real impact or doing meaningful work in this field required a strictly technical background. However, this experience taught me that the energy transition has a place for everyone, regardless of their profession; it is a space where diverse minds complement each other. This programme taught me to open both my heart and my perspective, to realize there is a vast universe of possibilities out there, and to never close doors on myself. I was constantly amazed by the sector’s immense potential for development and the incredible professionals within it.

You were part of a cohort working across Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, and Mexico. What was it like collaborating with peers from different countries?

Having the opportunity to share this experience with peers from other countries was simply incredible; in fact, it was one of the highlights of my traineeship. I didn’t just learn about their cultures, but also about the vastly different realities each one faces. It was incredibly enriching to discover diverse approaches to achieving our shared goals. Ultimately, I realized that the future of our region relies entirely on learning to look beyond our own borders and supporting one another.

What are the biggest energy challenges facing Ecuador right now, in your view?

Currently, Ecuador is facing a critical situation that directly threatens its energy security due to an over-reliance on hydropower. This leaves the system highly vulnerable to climate crises and periods of drought. The most urgent challenge is building a resilient power grid through deep institutional strengthening, modernizing sector management, and enhancing both technical and administrative capabilities.

How does the work you did during the traineeship connect to those national priorities?

Faced with Ecuador’s complex reality, it is evident that we cannot solve current crises using the same approaches from the past. The work I did during my traineeship focused on gender inclusion and creating spaces for youth. These are fundamental steps to integrate fresh technical and strategic perspectives, giving a voice to underrepresented sectors while driving the participatory governance and innovative solutions that my country’s energy landscape desperately needs.

Is there a specific energy issue or solution in Ecuador that you think deserves more attention globally?

Ecuador possesses immense potential for studying and developing alternative energy sources. I believe the global community should pay closer attention to how we can diversify these resources to achieve greater resilience across the entire energy system, particularly in developing nations.

How has this traineeship prepared you for your next steps?

Through this programme, I realized that there are countless career paths tied to sustainability. Being in daily contact with leading professionals in the sector opened my eyes to new avenues I can pursue. Thanks to this, I am currently researching the best academic and professional paths to continue learning and growing, so I can ultimately return and contribute to my country’s development.

What is one thing you would say to a young woman in Ecuador who is considering a career in the energy sector?

If I could say anything to a young woman who is hesitating to join this sector today, it would be: trust yourself and your capabilities. I know what it feels like to be in environments that make you feel small, but it is vital that you don’t let anyone dim your light. Take every criticism and use it as fuel to forge your own path, never stop learning or being inspired.

The energy world needs women who know how to negotiate, organize, design and see the bigger picture. Walk with your head held high, claim your space in every room you enter, seek out other women to guide you, and always remember that your voice is not an ornament, it is necessary for the future. Some time ago, someone shared Sir Francis Drake’s proverb with me, “sic parvis magna” (greatness from small beginnings), and bit by bit, I have proven it to be true.

A closing reflection, in her own words

Camila chose to answer in English to reach a wider audience — but asked to close in her mother tongue, because, as she puts it, there are feelings that just cannot be translated:

“Al cerrar este ciclo, me doy cuenta de que ni el inglés ni el español son suficientes para abarcar todo lo que he vivido y aprendido aquí, y lo mucho que significó esta experiencia en mi camino profesional y personal. Conocí profesionales admirables, grandes guías, y excelentes compañeras, que ahora tengo el gusto de decirles amigas, incluso un acercamiento con la CEO de la organización, Damilola Ogunbiyi. Cada una de las personas que conocí fue una gran inspiración que me dejó grandes aprendizajes, pero el más grande fue el de confiar en mí misma y no dejar de soñar, porque algún día dejará de ser un sueño y se convertirá en una realidad.

Hay experiencias y sentimientos que no caben en palabras. Cuando me uní al programa, me sentía perdida y decepcionada, y como mencionaba, tener el honor de pertenecer a esta cohorte fue el inicio de un gran sueño. No me llevo de SEforALL sólo un certificado, me llevo la certeza de que el futuro de nuestra región también está en nuestras manos, y ya empezamos a trabajar por él.”

(“As I close this chapter, I realize that neither English nor Spanish is enough to capture everything I have lived and learned here, and how much this experience meant in my professional and personal journey. I met admirable professionals, great mentors and excellent colleagues, who I am now glad to call friends — including a connection with the organization’s CEO, Damilola Ogunbiyi. Every person I met was a great inspiration that left me with great lessons, but the biggest one was learning to trust myself and never stop dreaming, because one day, it will stop being a dream and become a reality.

There are experiences and feelings that don’t fit into words. When I joined the programme, I felt lost and disappointed, and as I mentioned, having the honor of belonging to this cohort was the beginning of a great dream. I’m not leaving SEforALL with just a certificate — I’m leaving with the certainty that the future of our region is also in our hands, and we have already begun working toward it.”)

A growing sisterhood of energy leaders

Jessica, Juliana and Camila now join more than 40 STEM Traineeship alumni around the world — a network of young women turning national energy commitments into action on the ground, from Freetown to Mexico City.

*Grace Morales Ramirez (Honduras) was unfortunately unable to participate in this interview series, but her contributions throughout the traineeship were deeply valued by the cohort and the SEforALL team.

Learn more about the SEforALL STEM Traineeship Programme at SEforALL.org/programmes/Gender-and-Youth/stem-traineeship.