Her specialization in rural development has paved the way for work at a London-based tech startup.
“It’s a small company with seven employees. CBAMBOO was founded in 2023, and after growing quickly in its first year, they needed someone to take responsibility for existing and new clients. I was contacted by a recruiter on LinkedIn, and thanks to my background in climate change, technology, startups, and Customer Success in both Swedish and English companies, I was hired this summer”.
Emelie’s title is Customer Success Lead, and together with her colleagues, she guides companies on managing carbon pricing and emissions in the supply chain to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels. This is done through the CBAM framework, the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
“The office and full-time team are based in London. In addition, we have advisors in Brussels and remote workers around the world. We work globally, both with companies based in the EU that import CBAM goods to the EU, and with their suppliers worldwide”.
From growing up in Gothenburg, the path took 29-year-old Emelie via Canada, Uppsala and Stockholm, before settling in London in January 2024.
“It’s an amazing city that has everything! My first year has been incredibly eventful, not just at work. I’m thinking of pubs, Sunday Roasts, Premier League, music, and running along the Thames”.
Why did you choose the agricultural programme?
“I chose the agricultural programme with a focus on rural development because I was interested in global development issues, international aid, sustainability, and food-related topics. I had also heard a lot of good things about SLU and student life in Uppsala. During my studies, my interest in agriculture and food production grew, while my interest in working with aid diminished. Now I work internationally with climate issues, so it’s still quite close to what I originally wanted, even though the focus has changed a lot”.
How do you remember your time as a student?
“Very positively! I have tons of fun memories, especially from my involvement in the student union’s committees, such as the Spex (a student theatre group), mentoring, the choir ULLA, and other festivities. The best part was meeting all the amazing people I got to know, which really made my student years special”.
What was the best thing about studying at SLU?
“The closeness to teachers and professors was fantastic. It was easy to get in touch and discuss even after lectures. The Ultuna campus is modern and beautiful. I really enjoyed being there. I also had the opportunity to go on an exchange to New Zealand, which was an amazing experience. SLU has a great reputation, which I can still notice in my professional life. I’m proud of my education! ”
What was the best part of your education?
“The great breadth! I was able to deepen my knowledge in many different areas like forestry, natural resource management, economics, and food systems, especially since there was room for several elective courses. Since I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do after my studies, it was perfect to have that flexibility. During my studies, we also went on field trips around Sweden and had multiple internships, which provided invaluable experience”.
How has your education been useful in your career?
“My education has been very valuable, especially in my previous job, where the climate impact of food and agriculture was a focus. I also built a large network at Ultuna, which can’t be underestimated. SLU as a university and the agricultural programme have a strong reputation internationally, which has given me credibility. In general, my agronomy education has given me a solid foundation for working with climate issues, project management, and many other fields”.
What’s your best tip for someone choosing a programme?
“Choose something you’re genuinely interested in and enjoy – that will help you through a rewarding education. For me, it was also important to have the opportunity to switch courses, do an exchange, and have internships, because I didn’t have a clear career plan from the beginning. So choosing a programme that offers flexibility and practical experiences was valuable for me. I also truly believe in choosing a university or campus that aligns with other interests you have outside of studies. If you want, your student years can really be a time to meet new friends, try new activities, and have a lot of fun! ”
Text: Vanja Sandgren
To Vårt SLU
