This past week, Kaly Moore and Serena Bruce celebrated their fifth and sixth anniversaries at GRID. Both women superstars started out as Construction SolarCorps Fellows in the Central Coast California office, and now, both are managers in the GRID Mid-Atlantic office. They reflect on how far they have come since starting at GRID – and give some advice to the incoming SolarCorps Fellows.
1. What has been your favorite thing about working at GRID the past few years?
Kaly: The cultural enrichment. Without GRID, I would not have the intimate experience working alongside the backbone of our nation - working with immigrants from Mexico and learning the meaning and value of true hard work and dedication to your family and this country. Learning about the culture of music, food, dance, and language. Here in DC, I have had the blessing of learning about how to be a better ally for communities of color in America. Without GRID, breaking through these barriers would be a lifetime of challenges. Doors of possibility are opened, bridges of understanding are crossed, and the heart of community is enriched with this organization.
Serena: The community, the people I’ve met, and the relationships I’ve created. I’ve formed strong connections and had the opportunity to meet many different people from diverse backgrounds.
2. What have you learned over the past five-six years working at GRID?
Kaly: I have learned more over the years than there is time for. In sum - I have learned how to be a leader and mentor in the solar industry. I can lead and train a construction team from the initial site analysis to interconnection and everything in between. I can problem solve trouble spots in processes as well as troubleshoot issues in the field. I have learned to remain malleable to the changes and have understood how I can make a difference in this country for the better.
Serena: I have learned more things than I can count. I have learned how to install solar with no previous solar experience, technical skills, or management skills. Over the past 6 years, I have perfected installing a raceway in a basement crawl space, learned what the heck a smurf tube is, learned how to cut into a 100-year old attic, have gotten experience with over five types of installations, and read more equipment manuals than I can count!
3. What have you seen change over the years at GRID?
Kaly: In the time I've been with GRID I have seen us grow from less than 100 staff members to 360+ staff. We have had many growing pains as an organization, but we always keep in the forefront of our minds the values and mission of GRID’s founders. I have seen us develop processes and positions. I've seen individuals’ lives be transformed internally and externally. I have seen us continue to expand the reach of our mission, doing our absolute best to include all voices in our fight for a clean, renewable future that includes access to long-lasting careers.
Serena: I started when GRID as a whole organization had under 100 employees - now there is over 300! It is so exciting to see it grow and prosper into different offices and new programs such as the international, tribal program, and satellite offices. It has been so wonderful to be a part of GRID's mission and continue to see the new and exciting ways that offices and individuals have created to make our mission and GRID's impact far reaching!
4. What are you most excited about heading into your 6th/7th year at GRID?
Kaly: I am excited to see where GRID will go in the next year and how I will grow and move up with the organization. To see how leaders in our organization handle and communicate challenges and to see how they carry their team through those challenges.
Serena: To watch the continuing growth of an amazing organization. I am eager to see what new and exciting ways GRID expands our mission, and how we will meet the future challenges in the solar industry head on.
5. What advice would you give the SolarCorps starting out this year?
Kaly: Make the absolute most of every day - this is a year to focus on yourself and your professional growth. Take advantage of every opportunity you can. Work over-time, study on your off time, travel to other offices in GRID, shadow folks in other departments. Be resilient to the changes you face in your year and remain optimistic when challenges arrive. Believe in yourself and your team and learn to recognize your contributions, the asset you are, even if you have no previous experience. You are all vital to the existence of this organization and our work would not be possible without your commitment to us. Your hard work will not go unnoticed. We thank you for your service.
Serena: As a SolarCorps Fellow, at first I was not sure what I had gotten myself into. It was a hard job trying to learn, teach, deal with weather and challenges on the job site. Staying positive helped me every step of the way. Positivity is infectious, and if you are having a good time, then most likely everyone else will have fun as well. Giving yourself room to make mistakes - learning from them is a normal occurrence, so don't get down on yourself, stay positive, work through them, and never feel embarrassed to ask for help. We are all here to complete successful installs, and we all learn every day!