After I started my first year at the University of California, Riverside the question: “So Brandon, what are you going to do with that?” became a frequent topic of conversation at every family gathering, social outing, and networking opportunity. Telling someone that I was a Spanish major never impressed people the same way that Chemical Engineering or Economics did. I wanted to use my talents as a marketer and graphic designer and somehow incorporate my major into a communications related field.
I first heard about GRID Alternatives while working UCR CE-CERT’s Solar Conference in 2017. I was working the check-in desk when Regional Director Bambi Tran introduced herself and struck up a conversation regarding solar. After learning about my interest in marketing, she introduced me to GRID’s Marketing Manager Cliff Le Blanc. After chatting, Cliff told me about potential internship opportunities in the Marketing department where I could work on digital advertising and improve my graphic design skills. GRID Alternatives gave me a chance to refine my skills, develop new ones, and make a visible impact on the local community. After starting as a volunteer in June of 2017, I was offered a part-time position as a member of the Marketing and Communications team that I held for a year until I graduated in June 2018.
Marketing is something that seamlessly integrates the perfect amount of creativity with analytical thought, but sometimes it is easy to lose sight of the big picture. GRID’s Marketing and Communications team taught me that every project, no matter how small, could have a big impact on the homeowners served.
Initially I started with some small graphic design projects and writing assignments, but the primary goal of my internship was to begin a digital advertising campaign for GRID IE to help with outreach efforts. GRID IE only had Twitter and Instagram at the time, but I saw the potential to expand the social media marketing strategy to include Facebook. After extensive research and presentations we were officially approved to launch an Inland Empire Facebook page. This created limitless opportunities to reach potential homeowners in the Inland Empire through detailed and targeted advertising, all while incorporating everything I loved: analytics, graphic design, and copywriting. Seeing the impact that my work had on the community was inspiring, especially knowing that a family received no-cost solar because of a digital advertising campaign I created.
The hands-on training I received working with GRID Marketing truly made every day a learning experience. The organizational culture here allowed me to take responsibility, learn time and project management, and become more innovative. My team helped me pursue my passions while simultaneously involving me in projects with direct responsibility. GRID helped me develop a true sense of what my future career would involve.
I am incredibly proud to have worked for an organization that strives to make a visible difference in the community. The mission-driven people of GRID contributes to the meaningfulness of my work, and to see the impact that even an intern can have is incredibly powerful. Working at GRID Alternatives has been an invaluable experience that empowers both homeowners and job trainees. I feel so fortunate to have been a team member.
If you are a seeking an internship, or would like to build practical skills in the solar industry, GRID Alternatives is your solution. You will have an opportunity to develop and expand on your knowledge and skills, leading you to a clean energy job. If you would like to know more information about internships or other volunteer opportunities, you can reach the workforce development department by calling 951.272.4743 or visit gridalternatives.org/ie.