Career Pathways in Offshore Wind - Lunch and Learn

 

On November 13 at the Stony Brook Student Union, 40+ members of the University Honors Programs attended the Career Pathways in Offshore Wind Lunch and Learn. Hosted by the Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR) and the University Honors Programs, undergraduates from the Women in Science and Engineering, University Scholars, and Honors College learned from representatives of four of New York’s offshore wind developers.

Moderated by Patricia Malone, Director, Offshore Wind Training Institute, the panel included Amy Ellis, Stakeholder Relations Manager, NY, Orsted, Andrea Bonilla, Senior Manager, External Affairs, Vineyard Offshore, Alexandra Howell, Workforce and Labor Liaison, Attentive Energy, and Elizabeth Marchetti, Fisheries Liaison Officer, Equinor Wind US. The interdisciplinary collection of speakers addressed topics such as the current state of the industry, supply chain and stakeholder challenges, the ever-changing political landscape, and describing a day-in-the-life of their positions.

For the interactive portion of the panel, speakers answered questions from the students, while also providing career guidance, suggestions on work-life balance, and detailing a sometimes non-linear path to the offshore wind industry.

Feedback from the students included:

This Lunch and Learn provided very interesting perspectives on the current state of renewable energy, government, and public communication. It showed me the way different systems are interconnected and more unique career paths that people took. 

-Chris, Engineering major

A great opportunity to learn about the work industry and network with companies!

-Shayna, Engineering Science major

Stony Brook's Lunch and Learns are highly versatile and useful when it comes to exploring different career opportunities available to incoming undergraduate students. It was refreshing to experience a Q & A with like minded individuals curious on ways to maximize on campus resources.

-Geneva, Coastal Environmental Studies Major