The Difference a Year Can Make
“I had a pizza delivery job, I wasn’t really making money, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with myself.” At 21 years-old, DC native Reginald “Reggie” Chandler was facing an uncertain future before he became a GRID Alternatives SolarCorps Fellow.
After being introduced to GRID through the summer Solar Works DC cohort, Reggie applied to serve a year as a SolarCorps Construction Fellow at the GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic office.
It’s now been nine months since Reggie began installing solar on roofs of underserved DC residents, helping reduce their electric bills. He’s become a proficient installer and GRID team member, now mentoring trainees in the Solar Works DC cohort while leading them step-by-step through the solar installation process. “I’ve gained so much, I’ve got a driver’s license, I’ve got education, I’ve got stability in my own life and finances,” says Reggie when describing his experience so far, adding that “there’s so many benefits with SolarCorps.”
One of the benefits he’s looking forward to is the $6000 education award he’ll receive when he completes his term of service. Considering his future, Reggie thinks that he’d like to stay with GRID Alternatives if he decides to stick with solar, and perhaps earn his NABCEP certification. He may also pursue his passion for fixing up cars by using his award to attend an auto service technology program.
As a recently-recruited SolarCorps fellow myself, I find it inspiring that Reggie went from not knowing what he wanted to do with this life to having great options for his future in less than a year. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store, and I’m looking forward to developing myself in the same ways Reggie has through his SolarCorps experience.
GRID is hiring its new SolarCorps cohort! If you’re interested in taking the next step towards a career in solar, view our open positions here!
El programa de becas SolarCorps forma parte de la red de programas de AmeriCorps. SolarCorps se realiza gracias al apoyo financiero de AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps VISTA y Bank of America. AmeriCorps es un programa de la Corporation for National and Community Service, la agencia federal encargada del voluntariado, los servicios comunitarios y la participación cívica. CNCS involucra a millones de estadounidenses en el servicio cívico a través de sus programas AmeriCorps y Senior Corps y lidera los esfuerzos voluntarios y de servicio del país. Para obtener más información, visite NationalService.gov.
