“A foreign environment” is how Thomas describes the first time he volunteered with GRID – installing solar on two to three stories roofs.
Thomas first heard about GRID through his mother, who read a Washington Post article. He describes the process to become a volunteer as easy – just signing up and attending orientation. In November and December, he volunteered on GRID’s multifamily affordable housing Crest project installing solar for a grand total of 47 hours. And it opened Thomas’ future up to new possibilities.
“Volunteering with GRID really shined a light and opened a window into something I didn’t know too much about before.”
Not only did it introduce Thomas to something new, it gave him the experience needed to enter the industry. The week before graduating with a degree in Material Science and Engineering, he got a job offer from a small solar company in Northern Virginia.
“The lessons I learned volunteering with GRID definitely helped,” he says, “Some experience is better than none.”
Now, installing solar is a very familiar environment to Thomas, who one day wants to start his own solar company. His advice to others looking to learn about solar?
"I'd say just go for it. Take it one step at a time. Keep moving forward. Dive right in."