How did you hear of DCSEU, and what led you to seek an internship here?
I heard about this internship through DCSEU’s Account Management Director, Crystal McDonald. As I learned more about the position I wanted to gain knowledge on energy efficiency, the different programs that DCSEU offers, as well as gain professional experience. Even though I’m not looking for a career specifically in energy efficiency, it’s still important to be aware of what we can do to make DC a greener place.
What does an average day’s work look like for you at DCSEU?
An average work day for me involves a lot of data entry as well as working on low-income programs the DCSEU offers. So far, I have done work for the Emergency HVAC Program for income-qualified seniors and residents with disabilities. I have gone to senior events hosted by DC Mayor Muriel Bowser to promote this program. I’ve also worked to send out Home Energy Kits to residents who are income qualified.
What have you enjoyed most so far about this internship?
So far, I have enjoyed attending two events hosted by Mayor Bowser for senior DC residents where I got the chance to talk about DCSEU’s Emergency HVAC Program. It was also a great opportunity to learn about Solar for All, a program of the Department of Energy and Environment.
What do you like to do outside of your internship?
Outside of the internship I enjoy watching movies and cooking. I’m always finding new recipes to try but my favorite thing to make are pupusas. They aren’t always the best but every time I cook them they come out better than the last batch. My favorites movies are Shrek and Avatar.
What role, if any, does energy conservation play in your daily lives?
Reducing energy usage is important in my daily life. Every day I try to turn off a light or unplug a cord. I recycle anything that’s recyclable. I believe it is important to everyone in the long run to do all you can for the environment now.
At this point, what would you say is the most valuable knowledge you will take away from this internship?
From this internship I’ve learned about the mayor’s plan of 100% renewable electricity by 2032 and DCSEU’s actions to make it happen. I’ve been learning professionalism, gaining networking skills, and working on my communication skills.
What would be your dream job?
My dream job is to become a veterinarian and open my own animal hospital.