{"id":6803,"date":"2019-06-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gridalt.wpenginepowered.com\/the-current\/change-doesnt-come-easy-how-julian-broke-solar-industry\/"},"modified":"2026-09-16T16:58:07","modified_gmt":"2026-09-16T20:58:07","slug":"change-doesnt-come-easy-how-julian-broke-solar-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/live-grid-wp.pantheonsite.io\/es\/the-current\/change-doesnt-come-easy-how-julian-broke-solar-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Change Doesn’t Come Easy: How Julian Broke Into the Solar Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Julian Liser
GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic Individual Giving Coordinator<\/em><\/p>\n

A question I find myself pondering lately is: What led me to where I am today? For most of my career, I\u2019ve stayed in my comfort zone. I had been a chef for about five years, a server and bartender for two years, and did brand marketing before all of that. As time passed, I began to feel stagnant. I would often ask myself, \u201cWhat am I not doing? When will an opportunity present itself to me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eventually, I came to the realization that it was time for me to leave my comfort zone and pursue a new career altogether\u2014maybe I wasn\u2019t where I wanted to be because I was moving in the wrong direction.<\/p>\n

While eavesdropping on a conversation about job opportunities on social media, I heard about the DC Infrastructure Academy (DCIA). I had previously learned of opportunities within the budding renewable energy industry and sought an apprenticeship, but many had a waitlist. DCIA seemed like a good resource and I quickly typed the name into the search bar, found the site, and one of the first on a list of learnable skills was \u201csolar panel installation.\u201d I found what I was looking for, I hoped.<\/p>\n

I called for more information and a week later, I had my first encounter with GRID Mid-Atlantic, beginning my foray into the solar industry. My first encounter came in the form of a briefing seminar, though the handful of us that showed up were under the impression that our attendance guaranteed us a spot in the program. The GRID Mid-Atlantic representatives clarified that though what we were attending was strictly meant to be an informational session about the program, our attendance reflected our interest and increased our chances as candidates.<\/p>\n

Two months and an interview later, I found myself sitting with most of the attendees from the seminar in a classroom as part of GRID Mid-Atlantic\u2019s Workforce Development Program. Over a 12-week period, we received our OSHA 10 and CPR certifications; went over the entire North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) exam study guide with its author, Sean White; we learned the fundamentals of a photovoltaic system installation, as well as the corresponding groundwork; all while gaining actual hands-on experience. We were also introduced to a wealth of knowledge and resources in the form of mock interviews, industry speakers, resume building, and the like. More importantly, I was able to share these experiences with my peers of varying backgrounds who\u2014in the beginning\u2014I only knew as strangers, but by the end, came to know them as family.<\/p>\n

Looking back, I was not led here by tenacity alone; my path was delineated through the inspiration provided by my peers and mentors alike. Had I not utilized the support offered to me, I\u2019d likely still be in a kitchen wondering why I wasn\u2019t a sous chef yet. Probably one of the bigger takeaways from this whole experience was: opportunities aren\u2019t given, they\u2019re earned.<\/p>\n

If you care about equality and fairness, if you value the power in creating opportunities that bring communities together, if you believe that real change has to come from the \u201cbottom up\u201d as well as the \u201ctop down,\u201d then I encourage you\u2014urge you\u2014to support GRID Mid-Atlantic with a contribution of today. GRID Mid-Atlantic has changed my life. Help us to continue doing the same for others.<\/p>\n

Donate to GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic!<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Become a GRID Mid-Atlantic member!<\/a>
<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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