Walters

Careers in Renewable Energy Panel Discussion

Daniel Morton — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:06:41 +0000

Careers in Renewable Energy Panel Discussion Daniel Morton Thu, 04/02/2026 - 14:06

Daniel Morton

On April 1, 2026, the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI), in partnership with Colorado Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE), hosted a panel discussion exploring careers in the renewable energy sector. The event brought together students, researchers, and professionals interested in learning more about the range of opportunities available in this rapidly evolving field.

Colorado WRISE, a local chapter of a nationwide organization, works to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future by supporting the education, professional development, and advancement of women in renewable energy. In collaboration with RASEI, the event highlighted both the diversity of career pathways in the industry and the importance of building an inclusive and connected professional community.

The panel featured six professionals representing a wide cross-section of the renewable energy landscape. Panelists included Claire Behar (Foss & Company), Jan Coyle (Ulteig), Professor Tanja Cuk (CU 91��Ҹ�), Melissa Funsten (Tract), Dr. Nicola Mendoza (Sunforged Solutions), and Terri Walters (CU 91��Ҹ�). Their collective experience spanned industry, academia, policy, project development, and engineering, offering attendees a broad perspective on how different roles contribute to the clean energy transition.

The discussion began with each panelist sharing a brief overview of their background and career journey. A common theme that emerged was the variety of entry points into renewable energy. Some panelists described following more traditional academic or technical pathways, while others highlighted nonlinear routes that drew on transferable skills from other industries. This diversity of experiences underscored a key takeaway for attendees: there is no single path into the renewable energy sector.

Panelists also addressed the evolving nature of careers in sustainability and clean energy. As the industry continues to grow, so too does the demand for a wide range of skill sets, including engineering, policy, finance, project management, and community engagement. Several speakers emphasized that the energy transition is not only a technical challenge, but also a social and economic one, requiring collaboration across disciplines.

Another important theme was the value of adaptability and continuous learning. Panelists encouraged attendees to remain open to new opportunities, build interdisciplinary and interpersonal skills, and seek out experiences that broaden their understanding of the energy system as a whole. Whether through internships, research, or networking, early career exploration was highlighted as an important step in identifying areas of interest within the field.

Following the panel discussion, attendees had the opportunity to continue conversations during a casual networking session with light refreshments. This provided a valuable space for students and early-career professionals to connect, and to learn more about job and internship opportunities in the renewable energy sector.

Overall, the event provided stories and insights around careers in renewable energy, highlighting both the breadth of opportunities available and the many pathways into the field. By bringing together professionals from different sectors and stages of their careers, the panel provided attendees with a clearer understanding of how they might navigate their own career journeys in sustainability.

RASEI and Colorado WRISE look forward to hosting similar events in the future that continue to connect the campus and broader community with leaders in renewable energy and sustainability.

April 2026

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POSE Fall 2024 Kickoff Workshop

Daniel Morton — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 22:43:24 +0000

POSE Fall 2024 Kickoff Workshop Daniel Morton Mon, 10/07/2024 - 16:43

Daniel Morton

In early October of 2024, RASEI hosted the kickoff workshop for POSE, a new community being brought together to address some of the most critical challenges we face to do with plastics and polymers.

Polymer Solutions for the Environment, or POSE, seeks to establish a Center that will bring together expertise around the development of a circular polymer economy.

Plastics and polymers are critical materials in the modern age, forming the building blocks of everything from electronics to packaging, but this versatility comes with a cost, namely the waste and infiltration of the environment by microplastics.

This workshop brought together thought leaders in the polymer sector, from a cross section of academic, national lab and industrial organizations. The goal was to explore how best the POSE community can build a program that complements existing efforts in the field to drive the science and policy forward.

Three areas of focus were discussed, including the development of a circular polymer economy, the development of polymers that are needed for a just clean energy transition, and the integration of the science and technology research with policy, economics and social sciences.

It was a great meeting with more than 60 participants who came together to discuss ideas, present their research and approaches, and help shape the goals and directions of this nascent community.

10/07/2024

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Polymer Solutions for the Environment Fall 2024 Workshop

Anonymous — Mon, 09 Sep 2024 15:52:40 +0000

Polymer Solutions for the Environment Fall 2024 Workshop Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 09/09/2024 - 09:52

Polymer Solutions for the Environment Fall 2024 Workshop

Monday October 7, 2024 | 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM

CU 91��Ҹ�, East Campus, SEEC Building C120

Join us at this kick-off workshop for the Polymer Solutions for the Environment initiative. This will be held at CU 91��Ҹ�, on the East Campus in the SEEC Building, Room C120 on Monday October 7, 2024. This one-day workshop brings together key collaborators and stakeholders from across the region, with a focus on discussing and developing a roadmap for POSE. Talks will have a spotlight on how POSE can join and amplify the existing regional community of researchers in tackling Colorado's most pressing sustainability challenges and exploring the role of polymer science in addressing these issues. We plan to define the goals, milestones, and target research areas for POSE.

10/07/2024

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