This is what I do: I create and support programs that save money and build wealth for people while conserving energy.
I work at an organization called Elevate Energy. Their aim is smarter energy use for all.
I am an environmentalist but what really drives me in my work is knowing I'm in a position to help people improve their economic and social situation while also protecting and preserving the planet.
I have a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Spanish from Luther College, a liberal arts school in Iowa. I've always enjoyed people and have been passionate about fairness and equality. In junior high and high school I learned that I also like to learn languages and that came pretty easy for me. So despite living in a pretty homogeneous, predominantly white non-Hispanic southern Illinois community, I found ways to practice Spanish -- with foreign exchange students, at the local Mexican restaurant, with my teacher. I have never feared, and actually thrive at, meeting new people and learning from them and connecting with them...connecting with you.
Matching my facility to speak languages, whether that be Spanish, local English dialects and sayings, corporate language or any related vocabulary of a given field, with my passion to connect with others to solve deep social and economic injustices has served me well in STEM and in life generally.
When I started at Elevate Energy I already had a background in community affairs and strategy having worked for a local city council person for nearly 3 years and being an organizer for a labor union representing majority immigrant workers. Elevate Energy hired me because I knew people and could talk to people.
My first task? To educate Spanish-speaking residents about smart meters.
Smart what?
Why is the meter smart?
Why do I care?
Why should they care?
Does this mean higher rates too?
Those are some of the questions that first came to mind and that I asked of my coworkers. And the reality is it was a hard sell because there wasn't much to sell. Just "more information about your electricity usage."
Ok...
But what it boiled down to were the relationships and providing open and honest information. Working through community organizations that were teaching computer literacy or financial education or other services, we incorporated information on managing electricity costs with a smart meter.
Or hearing about how smart meters might one day help them save more money in their homes through additional technology and how that helps all of us breathe better air was also compelling.
But the task of "educating people about smart meters" was practically a non-starter. Because what has a meter done for you lately? Not much.
But what has your local school done? It helped your daughter learn to read.
What has your church done? Maybe it connected you to social services or you met your best friend there.
What has your local YMCA done? It taught your son how to swim.
When we lift up and value the community that lifts us up, these hyper specific STEM initiatives make more sense for more of us.
That's why language, communication, understanding of social systems, knowing community and knowing how to connect matter in STEM.
All of us matter in STEM.
Find your passion. Apply your talent. We will save the planet together.