Ali Kerem Atansay
By Ali Kerem Atansay, graduate
I studied economics at the University of Nottingham between 2017 and 2020. At the time, my plan after graduation was simple: take a gap year to travel the world before fully committing to work life. I wanted to make memories, have adventures, and gain new perspectives. Simply do things I felt would be harder to do once I entered the professional world.
The impact of Covid and Netflix
My first stop was an island in Thailand, where I planned to scuba dive and contribute to coral reef conservation. But then the pandemic hit. Like so many others, I found myself suddenly grounded, back in my childhood bedroom in Istanbul with no Plan B. What I imagined would be a year of exploration became months of lockdown and uncertainty.
While scrolling on Netflix, I came across a documentary about climate change. It might sound like a cliche but it sparked something in me. I realised I wanted to be part of the solution to the environmental crisis. Not just as a concerned citizen, but professionally. I dove into research and soon decided to pursue a master’s degree focused on sustainability.
A master's in sustainability
That led me to an international programme split between Berlin and Paris, blending sustainability, innovation, and entrepreneurship. After graduating, I stayed in Berlin and did an internship at a climate tech startup that specialised in carbon credits. As an analyst, I conducted due diligence on carbon credit projects, a role that deepened my technical knowledge around environmental projects.
After finishing my internship, I felt confident that a full-time job would come easily. Riding that optimism, I booked a two-month trip to Mexico, this time without a pandemic to cancel my plans. It felt like something I had missed out on and needed to experience.
A tough job market
But when I returned to Berlin, reality hit hard. The job market was tougher than I expected. I wasn’t fluent in German, the sustainability sector was facing uncertainty due to shifting policies, and the rise of right-wing movements globally was casting a shadow over climate-focused roles. I sent out dozens of applications, and heard nothing back.
But after months of hustling, it finally paid off. I landed a job that was exactly what I was looking for: doing sales at a climate tech startup I genuinely believe in. Now at Alectro, I sell a software that companies use to measure, reduce, and report their carbon emissions. While my role focuses on growing our customer base, working in an early-stage startup means wearing many hats. That’s one of the things I enjoy most, gaining experience across different areas and learning something new every day.
Why Berlin?
You might ask why Berlin? I honestly don’t know, it just felt right. I had zero connections and it was a big step but I knew that Berlin is one of Europe’s main hubs for climate innovation and startups, and I truly believe I came to the right place. Thanks to this city, I’ve met inspiring people from all over the world and had the opportunity to work on real climate solutions.
It hasn’t always been easy, dealing with bureaucracy, housing, and visa issues has been frustrating at times, especially as a non-native German speaker. But overall, the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced has been well worth the challenges.
Looking ahead, I want to continue working at the intersection of business and climate, helping accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy, whether that’s through startups, consulting, or eventually launching something of my own.
My advice if you want to work abroad
To anyone considering working abroad, especially in Germany, I can have few recommendations.
First of all, don’t be afraid to start with internships or entry-level roles. They’re valuable stepping stones, and you might just land a full-time opportunity off the back of one.
I’d also recommend learning the basics of the language early on so you don’t struggle like I did.
Build your network, be proactive, attend industry focused events according to your interests, and stay open to opportunities. You never know how your career will be shaped, even a single documentary can spark a whole new direction.
If you're interested in working abroad, visit our webpages for expert advice and access to GoinGlobal, an international careers database. We also have information on careers in sustainability and the environmental sector. Our advisers are available online and in-person if you want to talk through your ideas and options.
Posted on Tuesday 7th October 2025