Students Lola Ranogajac and Zara Plevko gain industry experience through the XEnergy Internship Program

Two Global Business Management students, Lola Ranogajac and Zara Plevko, recently participated in the XEnergy Internship Program, an initiative focused on sustainable energy and empowering women in the energy transition. Through hands-on work, mentorship, and real-world analysis, the program gave students the opportunity to apply their academic knowledge while exploring a rapidly evolving industry.

The program brought together eight participants in teams of two, each working on different aspects of the energy transition. Lola partnered with Zara, whose interest in the program was sparked by her studies and passion for sustainability. “During the Ecology of the Dalmatian Coast course, we organized a congress that revealed how I could apply my finance expertise to sustainable energy, prompting me to pursue this opportunity,” she says.

Mentorship is key to learning

During the four-week internship, the students analyzed photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS) to assess cost-effectiveness for households and larger consumers. “The internship was challenging and required a lot of focus, especially since I had no prior knowledge or experience in the industry,” Lola explains. With guidance from their mentor, Nikolina Čović, an Expert Associate in Portfolio Management at ENNA, they quickly built a strong understanding of the field and successfully presented their results.

Mentorship proved key to their learning. Zara says their mentor “made sure we understood what we were doing, yet gave us space to try things on our own. This mix of support and freedom helped us learn fast, build confidence, and own our work.” Presenting their findings to energy sector professionals was initially intimidating, but it became one of the most rewarding moments. “Seeing them show agreement and pride was a real confidence booster,” Lola reflects. “It showed us that taking risks pays off.”

Step outside your comfort zone to widen your horizons

The experience highlighted the value of hands-on learning. While classroom knowledge provides a strong foundation, applying it to real-world projects is what truly prepares students for the job market. “Theory is a good base,” Lola adds, “but not enough if you don’t know how to implement it on real projects and problems.” Zara emphasizes that RIT Croatia’s approach, through case studies and simulations, equips students with practical problem-solving skills: “That way of thinking stays with you.”

Beyond technical skills, the internship offered insight into the renewable energy sector. Lola notes the sector “is still evolving but has significant potential, especially considering the renewable resources available.” The experience also reinforced the importance of curiosity and stepping outside one’s comfort zone. “It is important to step outside your comfort zone because that’s what widens your horizons,” Lola advises. Zara agrees, encouraging students to embrace learning opportunities: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t know something right away, if you show you’re eager to learn, that’s the best thing you can do.”

Through initiatives like the XEnergy Internship Program, students gain valuable industry exposure and practical skills that complement their academic studies. For Lola and Zara, the experience not only strengthened their professional abilities but also showed how interdisciplinary knowledge, from business and finance to sustainability, can play a vital role in shaping the future of the energy sector.