The ERA Scholarship Program is more than financial support – it is an opportunity for students to develop leadership skills, promote sustainability, and create meaningful change in their communities. Funded through the responsible recycling of unwanted electronics, the program empowers young people to transform environmental awareness into action while supporting their educational goals.
One of those students is Jeniishaa Bhagudeva, a recipient of the 2021 ERA Scholarship. When she received the award, she was a Grade 11 student with a passion for sustainability and community engagement. Through the scholarship initiative, she and her team developed a business plan and organized creative activities to encourage electronics donations and responsible recycling.
Today, Jeniishaa is pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical Engineering at McMaster University and is currently in her fourth year of a five-year program. Alongside her studies, she has completed internships within Ontario’s electricity industry, gaining hands-on experience in power systems, energy operations, reliability, and sustainability.
Looking back, Jeniishaa says the ERA Scholarship helped her understand the importance of responsible electronic waste disposal and the positive impact sustainability initiatives can have on communities. Beyond environmental awareness, the experience challenged her to step outside her comfort zone and develop leadership, communication, and collaboration skills. Working with volunteers, businesses, and community platforms taught her the value of initiative, teamwork, and finding creative ways to make sustainability efforts engaging and impactful.
One accomplishment she is especially proud of is her internship with the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), where she contributed to projects supporting Ontario’s electricity sector. Through this experience, she has helped advance reliability and sustainability initiatives while gaining valuable industry knowledge. She credits her ERA Scholarship experience with showing her how community-driven sustainability efforts can make a real difference and inspiring her to pursue opportunities where she can continue creating positive impact.
The success stories of scholarship recipients like Jeniishaa are made possible through the recycling of unwanted electronics. Every device donated through ERA-supported programs helps divert e-waste from landfills while contributing to educational opportunities for future leaders. What starts as an old phone, laptop, or tablet can help fund scholarships, support sustainability initiatives, and empower students to achieve their goals.
For future applicants, Jeniishaa offers this advice: “Be creative and think outside the box. Use the resources and people around you to help bring your ideas to life. Most importantly, have fun with the process and create something you’re genuinely passionate about.”
Whether you’re looking to donate electronics, apply for a future ERA Scholarship, or partner with ERA to support sustainability programs, your involvement can help create opportunities for the next generation of changemakers.
To learn more about the ERA Scholarship Program or electronics recycling programs in your community, visit www.era.ca