These days, we are all in a tense situation due to the COVID-19 epidemic in Europe and around the world. There is no specific end date for this crisis and no one knows when people can resume their normal schedule. The future looks more ambiguous than ever!

Hopefully, if you are an EIT InnoEnergy student, you will have received a bunch of supportive emails and messages from EIT InnoEnergy Master School and CommUnity, encouraging us not to let the coronavirus take a grip on our careers.

I believe this can be a great opportunity for creative students of EIT InnoEnergy to show how they are ahead of the times. The future looks more ambiguous than ever!

Hopefully, if you are an EIT InnoEnergy student, you will have received a bunch of supportive emails and messages from EIT InnoEnergy Master School and CommUnity, encouraging us not to let the coronavirus take a grip on our careers.

I believe this can be a great opportunity for creative students of EIT InnoEnergy to show how they are ahead of the times.

Here, I have some suggestions to my friends and classmates in the EIT InnoEnergy family.

Looking at things differently:

• It is an undeniable fact that the coronavirus crisis can be considered as an inflection point in the world development trend. It may lead to a structural break in the economy which can cause enormous forecasting errors, uncertainty, and unreliability of many models in general. Try to find answers to the ambiguities in the future of sustainability, renewable energy, smart cities, etc. How can you contribute to boosting the post-Corona economy?
   
   
• Start to think about possible threats and opportunities that will come out after the crisis, in terms of sustainable energy. Don’t forget to take notes of your ideas and discuss them with your friends in your virtual meetings! I am sure that your professors would also be happy to hear your ideas and solutions regarding the arising problems and be ready to help you to enhance your solutions.
   
   
• Because of this crisis, all the events, hackathons, etc. that you planned to participate in have been postponed, it’s a great pity! But now you have plenty of time to develop your ideas, really dive into the subjects and make the most of it!
   
   
• An essential factor in career success is to have influential networking. Quarantine days give you this time and opportunity to expand your social network effectively (online, of course). Try to develop your professional network by finding people that shareyour thoughts, ideas, and outcome of your studies.
   
   
• Follow your courses and assignments carefully. Now, all the university courses and activities are going on-line, don’t let this new situation cause you to disregard your education. Besides, why not pick up some new topics that interest you, have a look at EIT InnoEnergy online courses that are offered, you should find the link in your mailbox!
   
   
• In the meantime, enjoy your online meetings with your family, friends, and fellow classmates. We are living in an already-digitalised world and there are lots of online activities available – with any luck you can bend this unpleasant situation to achieve your own personal goals! Don’t hesitate to be in touch with EIT InnoEnergy advisors whenever you need help and support.
   
   

A tiny virus has caused countless troubles in our world and made an unprecedented situation but I am sure that we will overcome this uninvited guest! 

Many unsolved questions have emerged regarding the future of the energy sector and now the ball’s in our court to think and design a more reliable, sustainable, smart engineered world – together we can do so much!

By Hoda Ataee, Master’s in Smart Electrical Networks and Systems student