After nearly a decade in the Philippines’ oil and gas industry, Ana Santos found herself in an unexpected place: she became a UX designer and vegan content creator. Her story reveals a different path to impact—one that begins with lifestyle choices and ripples outward to influence others.
The Petroleum Pipeline
Ana didn’t envision a future in oil and gas. As a chemical engineering student, she dreamt of working in the water or food sector. In the end, she found herself drawn to petroleum due to their recruitment programs.
At a time when paid internships were rare, petroleum companies stood out by offering competitive salaries to students.
“These petroleum industries, they’re very aggressive towards engineers,” she explained. “They would really infiltrate universities.”
This created a natural pipeline to full-time employment, leading Ana to work with some of the Philippines’ biggest oil companies. Her role took her from corporate offices in Manila to remote facilities in Batangas and Bataan, where she would spend weeks overseeing operations. Working eight-hour shifts Monday through Friday she was often one of only two women in a team of over 100 people.
“To be honest with you, it’s a very cutthroat industry,” she admitted. “Everything I do there is very calculated.”
After eight years in petroleum, Ana began seeking environmental pathways.
A Turning Point
“Breaking into the [sustainability] field was difficult,” Ana admitted.
Her job search was no walk in the park, revealing the stark realities of pivoting to environmental work at the time. Despite the sector’s diverse opportunities—from pollution control to renewable energy—actual job openings were rare gems buried beneath thousands of traditional JobStreet postings.
(READ: A Southeast Asian’s Guide to Breaking into the Impact Sector)
Around 2016, Ana’s persistence paid off with a one-year United Nations contract to rebuild infrastructure in Leyte post-Yolanda. However, the reality of working within intergovernmental systems proved taxing. While a purpose-driven career was important, factors such as salary and organizational culture also mattered to Ana. It was the bureaucratic challenges that ultimately led her to move on.
She later found a job with a shipping company. Although the work still involved petroleum products and its transport, she told herself it was a step away from manufacturing. “I’ll be able to exit [the petroleum industry] slowly,” she said.
It was here that a turning point came.
One day, Ana visited a ship carrying 4,000 tons of soybeans—enough to fill an Olympic venue—and discovered the entire cargo was destined for industrial animal feed.
She lamented the resources used—the land where the soybeans were grown, the water, the fertilizers—just to feed livestock while people went hungry.
“My heart really sank,” she shared. “How are we able to feed 85 billion animals, and yet we cannot feed 8 billion people around the world?”
This revelation catalyzed deeper research into food systems and their environmental impact. Ana discovered that agriculture represents one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions globally, second only to the energy sector.
“I can’t call myself concerned about the environment and still witness this and not do anything about it,” she decided.
When COVID-19 hit, the shift to remote work enabled Ana to explore plant-based cooking. She began sharing her vegan journey and recipes on social media, gaining thousands of followers.
“With veganism, I can start right here, right now,” she explained. “I don’t need to ask for a permit or file a hearing with the Senate just so that a change can happen.”
During the pandemic, she also upskilled in user experience or UX design, a field that allowed her a work-from-home setup. This flexibility enabled her to deepen her involvement in sustainability initiatives and plant-based advocacy.
Today, working remotely for an Australian company while advocating for plant-based living, she feels her impact has grown. “When people message me saying they’ve tried vegan foods for the first time, or they’re thinking differently about their choices – that’s real change happening.”
A Guide to Impact-Making
For professionals considering a similar transition, Ana’s story offers valuable insights and practical steps for making the leap.
1. Invest in new skills
Don’t think that you’re limited to the skills you have right now, Ana stressed. Remote learning opportunities are abundant and often free.
2. Look for unexpected connections
Consider how current skills might apply to sustainability-focused roles. Ana’s previous experience honed her project management skills and attention to detail – skills that transferred well to her new career.
3. Start with learning
“The only way to really transition is if you’re deeply rooted and deeply connected to the cause,” Ana advised. Before making the leap, study industry trends and requirements, take online courses, or engage with advocates to get insight.
4. Use impact-focused job platforms
While generic job sites can be overwhelming, specialized platforms like Jobs that makesense Asia specifically curate sustainable jobs.
5. Take incremental steps
A career transition doesn’t require an abrupt switch. Ana’s gradual shift – from petroleum to shipping, then to tech and content creation – shows that career changes can happen in stages.
Making sustainable choices in your own life can also lead to deeper understanding and opportunities.
The source’s name was changed to protect her privacy.