The CEO and the Millennial [Talk Success]

Success measures can be both personal in nature and universal. With this in mind, we have reached out to two energy individuals at different points in their careers. We are excited to present their thoughts on success: Terrance Kutryk, CEO of Alliance Pipeline at his company’s headquarters in Calgary, Alberta, and Priti Rajagopalan, a recent engineering grad located in South Asia. Read on for their interesting views on success.

[Legacy of Success]

CEO: Terrance Kutryk, Alliance Pipeline
Location: Calgary, Alberta

How do you define success?

Success is the achievement of a desired state, the achievement of happiness. For me, it is leaving a positive legacy.

How do you define success in the context of the energy system?

With energy, the end goal is efficiency. To the extent that we are trying to provide energy, we need to do it in a way where it’s discovered, generated, transported, and consumed in the most efficient way possible. We need to get energy transformed into the form that we want, with the least number of negative consequences.

What did you envision yourself doing when you were 20?

I always knew I wanted to build stuff, and I wanted to be productive. I thought I would be doing my own thing at this stage, and I didn’t necessarily think it would be in the energy industry; I feel like I fell into energy.

What advice would you give to Millennials entering the energy industry?

Never stop learning, be broad minded, cooperate, collaborate, and build consensus. Recognize that the only thing that outlasts us is our reputation, and, therefore, ethics and good conduct have to guide every action. Do good. Be good. Do the right thing.

[Embarking on Success]

Millennial: Priti Rajagopalan, Bachelor of Engineering, Electronics
Location: South Asia / Middle East

How do you define success?

Success, for me, is not letting failures or temporary derailments get to me, and to learn how to make an alternate plan whenever needed.

How do you define success in the context of the energy system?

Success in the energy system means giving people a choice. It means equipping people with the knowledge they need to decide what kind of energy they want to use and what impact that energy has on the society and environment around them.

What role do you plan to play in the energy system?

Currently, I work on renewable technologies and sustainable transportation in the Global South. Specifically, I am introducing net-metering initiatives into villages. Going forward, I plan to concentrate my research on the overlap between energy security and food security, and what is necessary for a nation to achieve both.

What do you envision yourself doing in 30 years?

I think I will have done substantial work in the net-metering field, and will have introduced and educated masses about the power of alternate sources of energy. Apart from that, I see myself consulting on important energy decisions and transportation economics.