by Miguel Joachim Balburias
Editor’s Note: Mojie currently serves as a Data Analyst with the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities’ Energy Policy team.
You have nothing to prove, but everything to learn.
This was something my college mentor used to tell me all the time. It grounded me then, but I somehow forgot it when I entered ICSC. As this was my first job, I felt a heavy pressure to prove my worth. This feeling grew even stronger when, less than a month in, I was asked to join the Iloilo leg of the CASE Road to Renewables Roadshow. It was my first work trip, and I couldn’t help but ask myself: How can I contribute when I still barely know anything?
But from the very beginning, I was reminded that stepping into something new is always about learning. And this mindset wasn’t something I rediscovered on my own; it was nurtured by the people around me.
As we prepared for the trip, Charles, a senior data analyst in my team, took me under his wing, guiding me through every step with patience and reassurance. Though we had only just met, Gabe, my roommate on the trip, was always looking out for me, which made the unfamiliar a lot less daunting and more fun.
During the sessions, I struggled to keep up with my notetaking. Fortunately, more experienced team members like Tien and Phia offered constant support and gentle tips without a hint of judgment. Even one of our partners from Iloilo, Ayesha, was always willing to assist whenever the discussions shifted to the local language.
Everyone else seemed to look out for me in small but meaningful ways: check-ins, smiles, and quick words of encouragement. For someone still finding their footing in a work environment and often filled with self-doubt, these kind gestures mattered deeply. I especially appreciated Ate Tina and Ate Ana, who always made sure I’d eaten and made me feel at home with their warmth and positivity.
Through all these moments, I learned that I didn’t need to prove myself. What mattered was showing up with openness and curiosity. My colleagues gave me the space to grow and the support to learn, showing me that learning is a key part of ICSC’s culture and that progress is impossible without it.
This truth, I realized, doesn’t just apply on a personal level. The same spirit of learning I experienced within our organization was reflected in the work we were doing through the roadshow. At its core, our purpose in traveling all that way was to learn: The roadshow wasn’t merely a venue for presenting information; it was an opportunity to listen, understand, and engage with the communities we aim to support. After all, our work would be meaningless if it weren’t guided by a genuine curiosity for our stakeholders and the realities they face.
One example of this came during a breakout session where we presented one of our studies. The local electric cooperatives challenged one of our recommendations, pointing out that our results didn’t apply in their context. At first, our team was surprised as this was something we observed to be true for a long time. But when we took a closer look, we found that there were changes emerging in the electricity market, and so our analysis and recommendations needed to be revisited.
It was a humbling reminder of the value of staying open to learning and being challenged. This openness allowed us to enhance and refine our work, keeping it relevant and adapted to changing contexts.
In the end, I learned that this openness to learning is at the heart of progress, both personal and systemic. For me, and hopefully for our stakeholders, as well, these roadshows serve as a space for starting conversations, building understanding, and creating the conditions for shared learning.
Ultimately, it’s our collective curiosity and willingness to learn that will drive us forward on the road to renewables. Each exchange, question, and new perspective brings us a step closer to a future powered by clean, affordable, and secure energy for all.
