SEM internship program builds foundation for career paths in the energy industry

Energy Trust of Oregons Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program supplies organizations the opportunity and resources to prioritize and meet their energy effectiveness objectives. Through SEM, organizations assess their energy usage by conducting walk throughs with engineers and sustainability specialists to recognize unique opportunities for taking full advantage of energy efficiency. SEM interns, like Meryl Jacobs, help their companies in practicing better energy management habits by keeping track of resident habits, tracking and modifying organizational policies energy consumption.
Jacobs, who holds a masters degree in ecological and civil engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, dealt with Oregons Washington County– an organization with over 1,000 workers and 40 structures throughout its jurisdiction. The county began participating in the SEM program to assist lower energy expenses at buildings with high energy use by leveraging tools and assistance supplied by Energy Trust. Jacobs responsibilities included regular tracking and analysis of structure energy use along with collaborating several projects that would allow the county to maximize its energy efficiency moving forward.
For Jacobs, the SEM internship provided her with the chance to additional refine the skills she obtained in school and in her previous professional role. Jacobs, who grew up in India, transferred to the United States to pursue her masters degree and then went back to her location of birth to start her career in the sanitation and green structures sector. She then discovered her method back to the U.S., landing in Portland, Oregon in 2019. Not long after, Jacobs discovered the SEM internship opportunity while job searching and chose it was a promising next action in her career course. Jacobs shared that the internship assisted her discover more about energy performance requirements and practices in the U.S. in contrast to practices in India. The SEM internship even more solidified Jacobs desire to construct a career in energy and sustainability.
Her preferred job was updating the countys energy policy.
“I was offered the flexibility to consider brand-new methods to improve the policy file. In addition to what the existing policy includes, the updated policy addresses transport, renewable resource, environment adjustment, and mitigation,”– Meryl Jacobs.
“I was inspired to see how the sustainability team at Washington County was always searching for methods to learn and inform themselves while also motivating fellow staff members through informative posts, activities and trainings,” Jacobs said. “I was also delighted to see how Energy Trust was always going to action in and assist satisfy the countys goals.” Jacobs is thrilled to take the next step in her career with hopes of securing a full-time position within the building efficiency market.
Check out www.energytrust.org/commercialSEM for more information about how your company can take part in the SEM program and attain long-term energy savings.

Energy Trust of Oregons Strategic Energy Management (SEM) program supplies companies the chance and resources to prioritize and meet their energy performance goals. SEM interns, like Meryl Jacobs, help their organizations in practicing much better energy management practices by keeping track of occupant habits, tracking and modifying organizational policies energy intake.
The county began participating in the SEM program to help lower energy costs at buildings with high energy use by leveraging tools and guidance provided by Energy Trust.