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Jake, Energy Engineering at Resilient Buildings Group: Advize Career Interview
A career shift from business to environmental science at the University of New Hampshire led to a fascinating journey in energy engineering.
The interviewee's path involved study abroad, research, and sustainability fellowships, culminating in a role at Resilient Buildings Group.
Responsibilities include energy modeling, auditing, and building commissioning, requiring analytical thinking, strong communication, and interdisciplinary skills.
A typical day involves both computer work and hands-on building system testing.
The greatest reward is solving problems that reduce energy consumption and mitigate climate change, but challenges include balancing optimal energy efficiency with client priorities.
The industry is dynamic, requiring adaptability and innovation, and entry-level positions like energy analyst are available, complemented by the valuable LEED Green Associate accreditation.
A key lesson learned is the importance of self-advocacy and continuous learning for career advancement.
The interviewee's diverse undergraduate experience, exploring the UN's sustainable development goals, created a strong foundation for success in this impactful and evolving field.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jake Gehrung
Energy Engineering
Resilient Buildings Group
University of New Hampshire
N/A
Environmental & Related Sciences
Energy and Utilities
Consulting
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Transfer Student
Watch all of this Advizer's videos below
Career Path Of An Energy Engineer At Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's career path was initially in business, but a single environmental sustainability course spurred a complete shift to environmental science at the University of New Hampshire. This led to diverse experiences including "study abroad opportunities, research opportunities, um, and variety of, uh, sustainability fellowships," ultimately culminating in Jake's current role as an energy engineer focused on building sustainability and energy efficiency.
Main Responsibilities Of An Energy Engineer At Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's role as an energy engineer at Resilient Buildings Group encompasses "energy modeling," "energy auditing," and "building commissioning." This involves using software to model building energy use, investigating energy savings opportunities in existing buildings, and testing building systems to ensure optimal efficiency, culminating in reports and presentations to building owners on financial feasibility.
A Day In The Life Of An Energy Engineer At Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's work as an energy engineer at Resilient Buildings Group offers a diverse range of tasks, including "a lot of computer work" from home or a coffee shop, and hands-on "testing systems" in buildings. This variety, complemented by regular office collaboration and client meetings, showcases the interdisciplinary nature of the role and the enjoyment Jake derives from it.
Most Important Skills For An Energy Engineer At Resilient Buildings Group
To excel as an energy engineer, analytical thinking and interdisciplinary skills are crucial for developing unique energy-saving solutions, since "every building is different." Effective communication is equally vital to convey complex technical information to diverse building owners, alongside a continuous learning mindset and a broad understanding of policy, finance, and engineering, so that the solutions are "realistic."
Favorite Parts of Being an Energy Engineer at Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's greatest enjoyment stems from "helping people" through "solving problems" that reduce energy consumption and impact climate change, a passion deeply rooted in their career path. This aligns with their love for quantitative work, collaboration, and the inherent sustainability of the role, tackling the significant challenge of building energy use, a field Jake has been involved with since undergraduate studies.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Energy Engineer At Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's biggest challenge as an Energy Engineer is aligning the enthusiasm for energy savings and sustainability with clients whose motivations may be primarily formal or marketing-driven; this requires balancing "realistic solutions" with the sometimes higher upfront costs of optimal energy efficiency upgrades, a conflict Jake may address by pursuing a career path in policy.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Building Energy Industry As An Energy Engineer
Jake, an Energy Engineer at Resilient Buildings Group, finds the most rewarding aspect of the profession is its direct contribution to addressing "immediate challenges," such as climate change and the inefficient energy use in buildings. The work also tackles social issues, improving occupant wellbeing and health within buildings, as highlighted by the impact of building design on health during the coronavirus pandemic, making "a lot of this work...very much needed, um, for people to be happy and healthy."
Who Thrives in the Energy Industry According to an Energy Engineer at Resilient Buildings Group
Jake, an energy engineer at Resilient Buildings Group, highlights the importance of "interdisciplinary focus and interest in innovation" in a constantly evolving field, emphasizing a need for "adaptability and open-mindedness" to tackle "constantly new challenges" and diverse projects. This "fairly new industry" rewards those fascinated by energy and building systems, embracing new technologies like AI to remain at the forefront of sustainable solutions.
What an Energy Engineer at Resilient Buildings Group Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Energy Engineering Industry
Jake, an energy engineer, advises that while subject matter expertise is valuable, "focusing on core skills and strengths" and being a "self-advocate" are more crucial for success, especially in interdisciplinary fields like energy engineering. The ability to demonstrate "motivation and...quick learning" ultimately outweighed deeper subject matter expertise in securing their current role.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Energy Engineers
Jake, an energy engineer, recommends that undergraduate students seeking entry-level positions consider becoming an "energy analyst," a role often involving "collecting data, getting data ready for energy modeling of buildings, supporting with report writing," and client communication. He also suggests pursuing the LEED Green Associate accreditation, stating that it "opens up a lot of doors" and was personally beneficial to Jake's career progression.
Significant Career Lesson From an Energy Engineer at Resilient Buildings Group
Jake's most significant career lesson is that "you are the only boss that you'll have for the rest of your life," emphasizing proactive self-development through continuous learning and seizing opportunities. This approach, exemplified by Jake's commitment to training and self-education, sets individuals apart, enabling career growth and advancement.
College Experiences That Helped an Energy Engineer at Resilient Buildings Group Succeed
Jake's undergraduate approach, a "jack of all trades" exploration of the UN's 17 sustainable development goals through diverse courses, internships, and research, provided a well-rounded foundation for their current role as "an ambassador of sustainable development." This interdisciplinary background in sustainability and research allows Jake to bring a unique perspective and adaptability to their career, setting them up for success in various future endeavors.
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