Emilie, Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company : Advize Career Interview

A career journey showcasing diverse experiences from a global food fellowship and a community-supported fishery to ski instructing and nearly seven years at Impossible Foods led to a Director of Operations role at a cutting-edge carbon sequestration company.

This professional balances strategic planning with daily operational tasks, including logistics and vendor negotiations, in a dynamic environment characterized by frequent meetings, quiet work time for strategy development, and a collaborative team.

Success in this field demands organization, strategic thinking, problem-solving skills, and a people-oriented approach. The most rewarding aspects include contributing to climate change solutions and working with a positive team.

Challenges involve navigating uncertainty in a nascent industry and setting boundaries to avoid burnout. The climate tech industry is described as fast-paced and collaborative, requiring adaptability and a dedicated work ethic.

Early career advice emphasizes networking, open-mindedness, and understanding personal career motivations. Undergraduate success is linked to cultivating curiosity, learning effectively, and building strong networks.

This fascinating career path underscores the value of diverse experiences and a flexible approach to career development within the exciting field of carbon sequestration.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Emilie Wood

Director of Operations

Carbon Sequestration Company

UC Santa Barbara

n/a

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Environmental & Related Sciences

Environment

Operations and Project Management

Honors Student

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Career Path of a Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company

Emilie's career path demonstrates a diverse range of experiences, from college jobs including "a global uc food fellowship program" and work at "a women owned community supported fishery," to a ski instructing stint and nearly seven years at Impossible Foods. This led to their current role as Director of Operations at Charm Industrial, showcasing a progression built on varied skills gained through "managing time, communication, and organization."

Career Path of a Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company

Main Responsibilities of a Director of Operations at a Carbon Sequestration Company

Emilie, a Director of Operations at a carbon sequestration company, balances high-level strategic planning—"thinking about what the team needs to accomplish today to accomplish goals for six months or 12 months"—with day-to-day operational decisions, such as logistics and vendor negotiations. The role heavily emphasizes team support, ensuring "the team is set up for success."

Main Responsibilities of a Director of Operations at a Carbon Sequestration Company

A Day in the Life of a Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company

Emilie's role as Director of Operations at a carbon sequestration company involves a dynamic mix of meetings—both internal with their team and cross-functional with other departments and external partners—alongside dedicated quiet work time for tasks such as contract review, strategy development, and creating standard operating procedures; this variety, a feature Emilie "really love[s]," reflects the unique demands of working at a smaller company.

A Day in the Life of a Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company

Most Important Skills for a Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company

Emilie, a Director of Operations at a carbon sequestration company, emphasizes the importance of "being organized, strategic, and people-oriented," highlighting the need for influencing others and building trust. The ability to "quickly problem solve" and make decisive choices is also crucial for success in this operational leadership role.

Most Important Skills for a Director of Operations at Carbon Sequestration Company

Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Operations in Carbon Sequestration

Emilie, a Director of Operations at a carbon sequestration company, finds the most rewarding aspects of her role to be "the ability to work in the climate space" and make a daily impact on climate change, as well as the collaborative and positive work environment fostered by "the smart and kind folks" she works alongside.

Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Operations in Carbon Sequestration

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Of Operations At A Carbon Sequestration Company

Emilie's biggest challenge as Director of Operations at a cutting-edge carbon sequestration startup is the lack of historical data for forecasting, requiring many "judgment calls" and accepting that "mistakes are an opportunity to learn." This inherent uncertainty, typical of a nascent industry, contrasts with the need for certainty when managing a team and programs.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Director Of Operations At A Carbon Sequestration Company

Favorite Parts of Working in the Climate Tech Industry as a Director of Operations

Emilie, a Director of Operations at a carbon sequestration company, thrives on the "quick iterations" and experimental nature of the climate tech industry, enjoying the collaborative spirit and the chance to "give stuff a shot" alongside highly driven colleagues. This dynamic environment allows for rapid innovation and the freedom to pursue bold ideas, a key aspect of their fulfilling career.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Climate Tech Industry as a Director of Operations

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Carbon Sequestration Industry, According To A Director Of Operations At A Carbon Sequestration Company

Emilie, a Director of Operations at a carbon sequestration company, identifies adaptability as key to success in the industry, stating that "something's gonna change and you're gonna have to pivot." A dedication to the work and company culture, beyond a simple nine-to-five mentality, is also crucial for thriving in this dynamic environment.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Carbon Sequestration Industry, According To A Director Of Operations At A Carbon Sequestration Company

What A Director Of Operations At A Carbon Sequestration Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Climate Tech Industry

Emilie, a Director of Operations in the climate tech industry, advises that success requires embracing a mindset of "giving away your Legos"—sharing responsibilities to enable growth—and establishing strong boundaries to avoid burnout, noting that "it can be really hard to…turn off your computer and have dinner with your family" without proactively setting limits.

What A Director Of Operations At A Carbon Sequestration Company Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Climate Tech Industry

Entry-Level Roles for Aspiring Directors of Operations

Entry-level positions in carbon sequestration often involve "analyst" roles, but Emilie encourages a flexible approach, highlighting how her own career began unexpectedly as an executive assistant at Impossible Foods. This experience, despite not matching initial job aspirations, provided invaluable skills and ultimately propelled career advancement, demonstrating that networking and open-mindedness are key to navigating early career opportunities.

Entry-Level Roles for Aspiring Directors of Operations

Significant Career Lesson From A Director Of Operations At Carbon Sequestration

Emilie, a Director of Operations, emphasizes the importance of self-awareness regarding career motivations, stating that "your reasons for working are different" throughout one's career journey. Equally crucial is surrounding oneself with positive colleagues, as "the reality is you're gonna spend more time at work day to day than you are with your friends and your family."

Significant Career Lesson From A Director Of Operations At Carbon Sequestration

College Experiences That Helped a Director of Operations at a Carbon Sequestration Company Succeed

Emilie's undergraduate success stemmed from cultivating "a natural, authentic curiosity" and "learning how to learn," actively exploring this through diverse coursework and internships. The strong network of friends built during this time also provided valuable career perspective, demonstrating the myriad paths a degree can unlock.

College Experiences That Helped a Director of Operations at a Carbon Sequestration Company Succeed

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilie-w-wood/