“I choose to work at GRID IE because of all the resources they provide for the Inland Empire. This is important to me because I was born and raised here,” shared Erick (He/Him), who began his fellowship in September 2024.
Through the SolarCorps Fellowship program, GRID IE provides a full-time, 11-month frontline experience to community members interested in pursuing a career in the climate action movement.
Over the years, Erick had heard about GRID IE’s work in the community through his friends. “I knew that our goals aligned and I wanted to be a part of the team,” said Erick, who was ready to shift his career from the warehouse industry to a new opportunity that GRID IE provided.
So far, the most challenging part of the new role has been “adapting to a new type of work environment. In the warehouse industry, there was not a lot of social interaction. Early on at GRID IE, I had to adjust my mindset to be more talkative and ensure I wasn’t being too self-isolating,” shared Erick, who has become an impactful addition to the Workforce Development Team.
“This transition has been made easier by great coworkers who have been supportive and encouraging.”
A notable skill that Erick learned is the ability to operate power tools. “I was never one to use tools in general, so this has stood out to me a lot—especially the ease of use. It is a good skill to have and a skill that I can also use at home,” shared Erick, whose team regularly teaches trainees and high school students how to handle the tools required during solar installations.
About Erick:
Recently, Erick has been enjoying time with friends and family: “During the recent holidays, I found a lot of events and opportunities to share quality time with them.”
Stay tuned for more as we follow Erick through his 11-month SolarCorps Fellowship!
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