Emily is a member of the department of government affairs for Invenergy, a private sustainable energy company dedicated to creating clean energy consumption. Emily has recently graduated from Colorado State University with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Politics and Policy, in which during her time as a student worked as the Director of the Student Sustainability Center as well as the Communications Manager and Ambassador for the EcoCAR3 at the Energy Institute at Colorado State University. As an associate for Invenergy, Taylor assists the Government Affairs team from Denver by utilizing different communication strategies, project development and event planning for the Western half of America. Emily grew up in Larkspur, Colorado and was highly involved throughout her college career in Energy policy and production, including assisting with the Colorado State University Eco Leaders, portraying a role for the Student Sustainability Center and the School of Global Environmental Sustainability.
There are many opportunities out there and there is bound to be something or someone that notices your passion and devotion to your interests, in which they will reward you for the hard work you have done.
What inspirational experiences/successes do you have that you wish to share with women wanting to pursue clean energy as a career path?
When I applied to become the Director of the Student Sustainability Center, I did not believe I would get the position until my doubt was lifted and I got the position. After the interview, I was relieved to have it over but highly believed that others were more qualified than I was to take up a student director position, especially with a school as big as the School of Global Environmental Sustainability. After getting the call that I received the position, I was shocked because of my mindset as soon as the interview was over. When people say expect the unexpected, I really believe that. For women wanting to begin their career path within clean energy consumption, getting involved is the first step. Go for what you don’t know. If something interests you, whether it be a job or even a club at your school, get involved. Involvement will help you grow your passions and interests, and make you want to reach your goals further.
How have your studies contributed to your eligibility to pursue clean energy as a career?
Getting involved was really the step I was trying to take to be apart of the campus community and find myself along the way. When I came to university, I was a Biology major. I changed my major up to four times until I really found the major I was genuinely interested in. My position at the Student Sustainability Center essentially created my passion for environmental affairs and made me think of the opportunities behind sustainable development for a clean growing future, hence why I graduated with a B.A. in Energy Policy. I think it is super important to get involved with what you are interested in, such as an internship or a student director position to really find what you enjoy to do. Practice makes perfect.
How would you like to see clean energy use and consumption evolve?
I grew up near Castle Rock, Colorado. I think this is what ignited a small flame for interest in clean energy, because whenever you drive around Castle Rock, people have their lifted diesel trucks emitting so much carbon dioxide that it’s black when it comes out of the exhaust. I remember seeing some of these trucks with my sister, and we would go on rants about how awful you have to be to do something like that instead of driving a hybrid. After learning more and more about sustainable energy policy and production and even being apart of the EcoCAR3 team during my senior year at CSU, clean energy consumption seems like an achievable goal. It is the way the world is moving as people grow more and more concerned for the future of our planet. People are switching to renewable alternatives, electric vehicles and more to dwindle their carbon footprints, and I want to see clean energy continue to evolve this way. Because I graduated with a B.A. in Political Science, it is incredibly hard to get everyone on the same page as you. However, as more and more people become educated on topics such as sustainability, I think it is an achievable goal to create a cleaner future for the sake of other generations. Evolution of clean energy is right at the start of moving entirely to a cleaner world, which is why it is so important to educate people on the fundamentals of energy consumption, and what it does to our planet overall. It is super important to keep the train going with clean energy, further educating yourself and others around you in order to evolve for the better.
Thinking about what you know now, what advice would you give to your younger self?
After graduating, I was extremely terrified that I would not obtain a job with my degree. I kept second guessing myself and my choice of studies, I even thought about going back to school just so I could get a degree in something that guarantees something like Construction Management. My advice to my younger self would be this: Stop worrying about where you are going, it is all about where you have been to get where you are today. There are many opportunities out there and there is bound to be something or someone that notices your passion and devotion to your interests, in which they will reward you for the hard work you have done. I am happy with what college has taught me and I am happy that I graduated with my degree because it has only made me grow as a woman within the clean energy world.
