On October 30th, the Capitol Hilton Hotel was abuzz with the chatter of job seekers and employers participating in the third annual Solar Focus Job Fair hosted by GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic and MDV-SEIA. The job fair featured 17 clean energy employers and included activities like a resume review and professional headshots, which Ria Narayan appreciated. As a student who travelled from Chicago to attend, Ria thought the job fair “was a great experience for people who are passionate about solar. Having all these employers and career services under one roof doesn’t happen often.”
Ria wasn’t the only fan of this year’s Solar Focus Job Fair. “The resume review gave me a sense of direction, and a better idea of how to sell myself to employers,” shared Liam Ray, who was one of the many attendees that sought the quality advice of volunteers employed in the clean energy field. And with everyone dressed sharply, it was no wonder that job seekers enjoyed the free professional headshots taken by photographer Sean Harris. To top it off, GRID Mid-Atlantic construction manager, Serena Bruce, gave attendees the chance to experience a solar installation through mock-roof install demonstrations.
The job fair also provided an opportunity for the fall Solar Works DC cohort to meet with employers in the industry they’re preparing to enter. The trainees, who have been honing their soft skills, including interviewing, put the skills to use while networking with representatives from many of the top solar companies in the Mid-Atlantic. A special thanks is owed to A Wider Circle, a Maryland-based non-profit, for providing professional attire for the event and making sure the trainees were dressed for success.
The 2018 Solar Focus Job Fair was a reminder that solar is growing fast and will continue to create good-paying jobs. In the transition to a clean energy future, GRID Alternatives will keep working to make solar a more inclusive industry and ensure solar jobs are accessible for everyone, especially women and people of color.
Thank you to the all the clean energy employers who made this year’s event such a great experience for job seekers: