Driving Positive Climate Impact: An Alumni Q&A with Michelle Galvin, Climate Entrepreneur

At Trinity Innovation & Enterprise, Trinity College Dublin, we're committed to fostering the next generation of innovators who will tackle the world's most pressing challenges, particularly in climate action. Our Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Entrepreneurship empowers individuals to blend scientific understanding with business acumen, turning passion into impactful ventures. 

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Michelle Galvin, a physics graduate with a rich background in geophysics and business consulting, and an inspiring past student of our Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Entrepreneurship. Michelle is now bravely embracing the world of entrepreneurship, working on a fascinating new startup. Here, she shares her journey into climate entrepreneurship, the transformative power of the course, and her ambitious vision for a sustainable future. 

Q: Michelle, your background in physics, geophysics, and business consulting is quite diverse. What led you to the Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Entrepreneurship? 

"After reflecting on my career path, I felt a strong pull to make a net positive impact on the environment and community. This led me to explore new directions and look for a course that would deepen my understanding of opportunities in sustainability. When I discovered the Climate Entrepreneurship course on a Springboard list, it immediately resonated. It seemed perfectly designed to combine my desire to contribute to climate solutions with my existing experience in science and business." 

Q: Did you have any initial reservations about pivoting into entrepreneurship? 

"Absolutely. I had never formally studied business, and all my experience was hands-on. Entrepreneurship wasn't even a consideration for me before. However, having already left my job in pursuit of something new, I thought, 'If I’m going to make a move, it may as well be a significant step change.' Trinity's reputation for academic excellence and support gave me the confidence that they would guide me well through this transition." 

Q: What was the most enjoyable or impactful aspect of the course for you? 

"The entire experience was very new and incredibly stimulating. What I loved most was diving deep into 'systems thinking.' It's a powerful way to analyse the potential positive and negative ripple effects of making a change across all affected areas – communities, businesses, and, of course, the climate. It's a remarkable tool, offering so many possibilities for early-stage problem assessment and prioritisation of solutions." 

Q: What were your biggest takeaways, both in terms of skills and mindset? 

"The course has given me new crucial skills: advanced systems thinking, robust opportunity assessment, and practical business planning. But the most profound change was a complete shift in my mindset towards entrepreneurship. I realised you can genuinely treat it as an experiment – a concept I, as a scientist, could deeply relate to. This completely redefined what I previously thought an entrepreneurial mindset could achieve." 

Q: How has the course helped you since completing it? We hear you’re working on an exciting new venture! 

"It has absolutely opened my mind to entrepreneurship as a viable and incredibly rewarding career option. I'm now actively 'giving it a go' as a founder! While it's daunting, having gained invaluable contacts and a clear awareness of available supports, it no longer feels impossible. 

I'm currently developing a startup focused on revolutionising how people approach evening meals. My goal is to transform meal preparation from a repetitive, mentally exhausting chore into an easy, rewarding exploration of food that the whole family will love. Crucially, it's designed to embed food-waste minimisation and healthy eating habits. It’s a big challenge – talk about biting off more than I can chew! - but the course has given me the tools and confidence to dive in. If I don’t try now, I’ll always wonder." 

Q: What are your hopes and ambitions since completing this course? 

"Personally, I would love to be a founder of, or join, a startup that genuinely brings about positive change – benefiting the community, the climate, and public health. On a global level, I deeply hope to see more people acknowledge and 'own' their part in environmental pollution. The everyday decisions we make have a huge impact on people we may never meet, especially those less fortunate." 

Q: Do you have any final words of advice for prospective students considering the Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Entrepreneurship? 

"My biggest piece of advice is this: what you put in, you truly get out. This is a postgraduate qualification, so self-directed learning and strong motivation are essential. You won't be spoon-fed information, but if you actively collaborate with your classmates and fully embrace the unique learning opportunities it offers, it can be an incredibly rewarding and transformative experience." 

Michelle's story is a powerful testament to the impact of focused education and entrepreneurial spirit in addressing climate challenges. It also goes to prove that you don’t always have to come equipped. Building skills, tools and a strong peer network can help you get there. If you're a professional passionate about creating sustainable solutions and ready to turn your ideas into action, the Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Entrepreneurship could be your launchpad. 

Inspired to make a difference? Explore the Postgraduate Certificate in Climate Entrepreneurship at Trinity College Dublin and take the first step towards your impactful future!