When it comes to jobs, the seeds can be planted way before the job application. Same goes for green jobs. Today’s guest, Salua, is speaking to us from Bonn, Germany. Through activism during university, Salua found her passion for the environment, which is now guiding her career path.

Listen to the podcast or read the transcript below.

Greensider: Could you tell us about the programme that you just finished?

Salua: The programme covers many topics in waste, including solid waste management, wastewater management and air quality. I specialised in the first two. We learn everything related to process engineering in the field of waste management. The programme is at the University of Stuttgart, where I also lived for the past two years. It was a fulfilling programme in terms of what I learned and what I wanted to learn. I got to meet many people in conferences and things that I got really active in. I also took part in a student job with an institute related to one of the courses. I co-authored and supported three scientific published articles on food waste. It was a nice step and phase of my career and academic life.

Greensider: But you started out in Biology. How did you make such a change?

Salua: Yeah, it’s a really strange [experience]. I always try to mention this to people who are confused as to whether they should get into the environmental field, or even in general where they should start. I started with a bachelor’s in Biology that would lead to medicine. Biology was interesting and I did have a passion for it. However, close to the end of the degree when I was preparing answers and presentations for a med interview, I noticed that I needed to hide my real passion for environmental studies — I got involved in environmental programmes from a young age, and had been very active in recycling activities at the university and beyond.

After realising that, I found out about the master’s programme [that was mentioned above]. In order to meet the admission requirement, I took a few engineering courses and another bachelor degree in chemical engineering. That’s how I got into this mix of fields.

I’m super happy about the decision. Looking back to that point where I wanted to make this change, it was definitely scary to think if I was doing the right thing. I had some advice from professors and colleagues, who encouraged me to go for it. Even so, it was hard to admit to some people. I sent an email to my parents instead of telling them face-to-face. It was a very funny moment. But now they’re very proud of what I’ve accomplished. I’m happy that I’m where I wanted to be. I’ve really found my passion.

Greensider: Alongside studying, you’re also very active in environmental campaigns. What projects have you participated in?

Salua: I can start with a few things I did in Lebanon. I started to actively engage with people on the ground. As a first step, I did an internship in solid waste management at an NGO called Mercy Corps. That allowed me to visit a lot of sorting and recycling facilities. It was interesting to meet people up close and see how they work. That also made me realise how much I love garbage. I enjoyed looking at these facilities and seeing where they need support.

From then, I looked into how I could be more involved in the sector. I ended up joining the Waste Management Coalition in Beirut. I moved to the city and networked with a lot of people in the field. One of the campaigns from the Coalition was to prevent building an unnecessary incinerator, as opposed to boosting the existing recycling economy and sector in Lebanon. That was an interesting campaign because I was exposed to not just the technical side of things, but also the policy and politics.

While I was in Beirut, I also joined a Greenpeace campaign against single-use plastic. It was super fun and I met a lot of interesting people. We went to establishments, such as restaurants and bars. We tried to see if they would, for example, reduce their single-use plastic consumption by proposing straw or plastic cup alternatives. We also tried to see where else these establishments could contribute to reducing single-use plastic. These were the key projects that I’m really happy I was involved in.

Of course there are always ‘breadcrumbs’ along the way. For example, on my own initiative, I approached informal recyclers or waste pickers. They make their day’s worth from junk by taking recyclables to junk yards. The material is of value when it’s not contaminated with, for example, organic waste. In the future, I would like to look into the informal recycling sector… I could talk about waste for hours.

Greensider: You are really obsessed with waste. Except for this, what other issues have you worked on?

Salua: During university [in Lebanon], I also worked in the humanitarian and development field. I have been part of the Red Cross almost since I was 16. Just graduating from school, I entered the youth department of the Lebanese Red Cross.

Four years in, I moved out and back into Lebanon. Then I joined the Emergency Medical Services where I was an emergency medical technician. That was an enriching experience because the people I met became like such a family and a strong team. We went through a lot of difficult challenges together and witnessed very positive and negative things. That really opened my eyes and put things into perspective. I’m glad to have gone through it.

From then on, I never really stopped loving my work in the Red Cross, so I got into the Disaster Management Risk Unit. It was about prevention of big risks happening in Lebanon. The Unit allowed me to initiate some environmental activities, as they had already done a lot of awareness training related to solid waste management and water and sanitation hygiene (WASH). The Lebanese Red Cross in whole has a big part of my heart. I love to volunteer and be part of their social activities. When I couldn’t take part in these activities, I felt something was missing. There was a year that I had to focus on the Chemical Engineering degree. I was so busy that I stopped doing any volunteering. But I would come home from a whole day of studying, feeling empty. Only studying and academics is not for me. I have to be involved in the field.

Here [in Germany], the most social thing I do is saving food waste and trying to distribute it among friends and among people. I found out about Foodsharing’s initiative through a colleague and a friend. The aim is to save food that would have otherwise been wasted. Their volunteers would go to restaurants or bars that are letting go of excess food at the end of the day. It’s super fun and creates a win-win situation. I would encourage others to join if they’re in Germany and have the chance.

Greensider: I know you’re still in the very early stage of your career, but how has activism helped you so far?

Salua: Early stage definitely, since I’m just graduating. But the key thing I would take from activism, which was never intentional, is meeting a lot of amazing people, especially in the network I’ve made in Lebanon. Activism got me into the circle that I wanted to be part of. Another thing, which was also not intentional, is while I’m trying to raise awareness, others are catching on to what I do. It’s been nice to have these kinds of encounters with people that recognise what I do. For example, I blogged about my two-week zero waste challenge. As a blogger yourself, I’m sure you’re also aware of the blog community. It’s fulfilling when someone comes to you and says, this was really interesting or this made me think, or this made me visit this place or try to do this differently. I would say this is my favourite part of activism. It also keeps me on track. If you have the passion for something, activism is a great way to do things for what you love and to keep active in the field.

Greensider: When you concern yourself with so many issues, how do you stay positive?

Salua: That’s a good question, especially in what we like, which is environmental activism. It’s pretty easy to lose positivity or optimism because not only do you have a lot of people who don’t ‘believe’ in climate change or the things that we stand very strongly about, but there is also resistance and people who are unaware.

To answer your question, I would say I don’t stay positive. It’s very normal as well for me and I’ve accepted that. Of course, I feel very positive about the things I do. I get my energy from engagements and encounters with people. But there are always times where you think what’s my impact and how can I do things better? These also not so positive thoughts help improve how things are done. I’m actually happy that I’m not always positive. It’s good to stay real and ask yourself: what is really going on? What can really be changed and done?

Also, I’ve learned to speak the language of the people. I’m not all about forcing down information to people and saying, you have to do it this way or doomsday is coming — I don’t talk this way. I share what I like to do and what I think is great. I hope that inspires some people to follow suit.

It’s important for us to know and acknowledge, especially in these times, that mental health is critical. Alway staying positive might be impossible, but I’m grateful for the people around me. I have a great community that supports what I do. I think once you have the passion, it’s difficult to be very negative because you’re very biassed about what you love. In short and not so short, this is how I stay and not stay positive.

Greensider: Finally, what’s your career plan in 2021?

Salua: I would love to answer this. Then in a few years, I’ll listen in again and say that was not so right or that was right. I hope it’s the way that I’m going to explain it to you now.

Currently I’m doing this internship in GIZ, a company that works with a lot of the things that I love. I’m working specifically in water and sanitation. It’s been really interesting so far. I hope to get a junior position and maybe try to delve into wastewater management and solid waste management. I love both fields. I’ve already gained some experience in the latter, but I’m open to both. Eventually, it’d be great to go back to Lebanon and see how I can make a positive impact.

Until then, I would love to develop my own knowledge and try to explore as best as I can. I want to be international in terms of the knowledge that I collect. I hope to be travelling or working in the global South in the next few months or later this year. I know it’s a bit difficult to say in the midst of a pandemic. I would definitely love to see the best practices being used in different countries and compare them for improvements. I’m also very research-based and I love to work from a technical standpoint. I could imagine myself, hopefully soon, in a junior position doing technical things. Let’s see. I’m very open. As long as I’m doing what I love, I’m not impatient.

Greensider: Do you have any final thoughts to share with our audiences?

Salua: If you ever feel confused about what you’re doing or what you’re passionate about, try to experiment as much as you can. Try to get the word out on what you like and present what you’re passionate about. Things will follow as you’d like them to. You will make connections and get to know projects and activities that are related to your interests. Through that, you can grow your network that you hope to be active in. That’d be something I recommend. I’m very young and not really in the greatest position to be saying this. But from my own experience, it’s been a great phase of my life to just show what I love and that’s kept me in the things that I love.