How did you get involved in Bass Connections?

I was an engineering major, and my mentor, Stacy Peterson, encouraged me to pursue the Certificate in Energy & Environment. When I learned that Bass Connections had an energy-focused theme, I wanted to get involved and reached out to one of the professors on the History and Future of Ocean Energy (2015-2016) team. I did some research for the project over the summer and then joined the team in the fall. I also worked on ground truthing for the Energy Data Analytics Lab (2015-2016) project before I was invited to be on the team that spring. Then, as part of my certificate, I completed my capstone project through the Energy and the Environment: Design and Innovation (2016-2017) team. 

Were there any parts of your Bass Connections experience that stood out to you?

One of the highlights was working with folks from the Nicholas Institute and being able to present our research on ocean energy to representatives at the World Bank. We traveled to Washington, D.C. and got to showcase the research we had done over the semester. 

What have you been doing since leaving Duke, and what are you doing now?

I work now as a consultant in the demand side management part of the energy industry. I’ve also worked for an electric vehicle charging software company, so I’ve continued to focus on the energy space. 

Is there anything you learned from the experience that helped you get where you are today? Anything you still use?

I definitely think Bass Connections helped me build valuable skills in multiple areas. Research and collaboration through an interdisciplinary lens are really valuable in the work I do today. I learned to think critically in a research capacity, which helped me become a better problem solver. I also was able to explore HOMER software in my capstone project, which I have used in my work in the past. Finally, I think my experience presenting at the World Bank provided a solid base for the client-facing work and presentations I do today. 

March 2023