On a rainy evening in Sacramento, California, the waning rays from the sunset landed on a lively discussion taking place inside the warm and embracing, Shine Caf\u00e9. The topic of discussion was women on the rise \u2013 a conversation around encouraging the next generation of women leaders in the solar industry. Women might not be a traditional topic of interest when it comes to solar, energy, and other technical trades. However, with effort from a partnership between GRID Alternatives and SunEdison, conversations about the value of women in renewable energy are taking place all over the nation. <\/p>\n
The discussion of \u201cwomen on the rise\u201d in the solar industry consisted of a Q & A format that included six professionals in the energy industry and an audience of student engineers, construction trainees, and women in the industry. With speakers ranging from professors, managers, recruiters, and retired energy commissioners, our engaged audience had a broad range of experiences to learn from. The conversation was not centered on challenges that women might encounter, but rather advice and examples on how women can succeed in the energy industry. <\/p>\n
Elaine Hebert \u2013 retired California Energy Commissioner \u2013 advised to \u201cstay true to your passion and your soul\u201d. She suggested that when you find meaning in your work you can contribute a genuine effort. Jeremy Doze \u2013 Recruiter for CLP \u2013 echoed this advice and suggested that applicants take note of their passions before considering an organization to work for. Jeremy Doze also shared his work on CLP\u2019s diversity initiative, and that their job placement has significantly increased since they brought on this initiative.<\/p>\n
Another employee at CLP, Kathy Martinez, advised women not to underestimate their qualifications. She noted that women tend to think they are underqualified for positions more often than men. One of our speakers made sure not to underestimate herself as she moved her way up the ranks in a large solar organziation. Chris Lee \u2013 Assistant Regional Operations Manager for SolarCity \u2013 worked her way up from starting as a Conservation Corps Member, landed an installer job with SolarCity, then lead her own groups of installers, and is now the Assistant Manager for her regional office.<\/p>\n
The inspiration continued as Kelly Lineville \u2013 Project Manager for Four Phase Energy \u2013 shared her story of changing pathways mid-career, taking the local Photovoltaics course and passing her NABCEP, volunteering with GRID Alternatives, and then landing a job in the industry while finishing up her degree. The panel was tied nicely together by our event moderator and board member, Steve Geiger – Department Chair of Construction and Energy Technology at Sierra College & CEO of Four Phase Energy \u2013 who gave great background information on solar and added to the perspective of training students for a growing industry.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the conversations had to come to an end; however, we hope to continue to engage women, veterans, minorities, and many other individuals to gain entry into renewable energy careers and continue to succeed. You can learn more about our Women in Solar Initiative at gridalternatives.org\/women.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On a rainy evening in Sacramento, California, the waning rays from the sunset landed on a lively discussion taking place inside the warm and embracing, Shine Caf\u00e9. The topic of discussion was women on the rise \u2013 a conversation around encouraging the next generation of women leaders in the solar industry. <\/p>","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":3123,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[79],"tags":[],"audience":[],"content-type":[12],"focus-area":[20,36,73],"region":[],"series":[],"content-author":[],"class_list":["post-3122","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-workforce-education","content-type-news","focus-area-job-training","focus-area-women-in-solar","focus-area-workforce-development"],"acf":{"hero_media_type":"image","hero_media_image":null,"hero_media_url":"","hero_media_poster":null,"hero_video_play":"inline","related_stories":null,"pattern_override":null,"story_callouts":null,"media":null,"featured_blog_post":null,"featured_event":null,"pdf_download":null,"blockquote":null,"author":null,"notice":null,"social_embed":null,"contact_card":null,"meta_details":null,"faq":null,"table":null},"yoast_head":"\n