Growing together: the impact of RES interns

“This internship solidified my passion for renewable energy engineering and equipped me with practical skills that will shape my future career.” – John Kloosterman

At RES, our Intern Program fosters growth. We introduce like-minded college students and recent graduates to the renewable energy industry, providing them with industry experience, career exploration, skill development and networking opportunities. As our interns grow, they help develop RES with their diligence and new ideas.

This summer, 23 interns in the Americas contributed to our vision of a zero-carbon future. In honor of National Intern Day, these interns share their invaluable experiences as their team members discuss the new insights they brought.

RES and interns: a shared passion

Motivated by their personal passion and career goals, our interns embody eagerness, adaptability and agility in their everyday work. These traits fuel their growth and inspire RES.

Micheal Kokoszka, a Transmission and Distribution (T&D) intern in Texas, shares how the intimate support from his family, friends and colleagues encourages him to work diligently and safely. With on-site experience, he also recognizes the larger mission of these projects. “The internship gives you a much better appreciation for the amount of work that goes into renewable projects that provide power for hundreds to thousands of people,” he said.

In addition to sharing RES’ vision for a sustainable future, interns also carry our dedication to career development.

T&D intern John Kloosterman, from the Bluebird Substation in Kentucky, finds motivation in his passion and future aspirations. He said, “Taking the time and learning the industry through this internship allows me to gain valuable information for my career.”

Through enthusiasm for renewable energy and a drive to achieve career goals, the interns prepare to build the industry’s future.

How RES grows: intern project contributions

Interns impact real projects by offering fresh perspectives, inspiring innovation and enhancing current processes. These contributions help RES grow.

As a People & Culture intern in the Denver office, Tyler Tolbert suggests unique solutions by leveraging technology. “I was struck by Tyler’s fresh perspectives and innovative ideas,” said Jenny Tran, Sr. People & Culture Analyst. “Collaborating with Tyler not only enriched our projects but also reinvigorated my own passion for continuous learning and adaptability in the professional landscape.”

Two solar field interns are working on improving efficiency in two specific projects. In Mississippi, Matthew Saffle streamlined documentation at Golden Triangle I to reduce search time and expedite testing cycles. In Ohio, James Edney develops automated slope map designs for solar array blocks, aiming to reduce the average time per block from an hour to less than five minutes.

By reflecting on James’ work alongside interns Jackson Rohrs and Alberto Sanchez, Project Engineer Bailey Burgmeier recognized an opportunity to learn from them. “These interns are hungry for new challenges and opportunities,” he said. “Their questions made me think of why things are done rather than just how they are done.”

As these interns tackle real-world challenges with new ideas, our team members also learn to reexamine their work and current processes.

How interns grow: collaboration and mentorship

Interns not only work on impactful projects but also receive expert guidance and mentoring to develop industry specific skills. Through this growth opportunity, interns can confirm career goals or discover new ones.

Michael credits his mentors and colleagues for their support. “I can always fall back on someone to help me in any way I need, which pushes me to not only do the work that is in my scope but do anything that helps the crew, making things easier and safer for everyone,” he said. “I’m very appreciative to the manager and crew that are helping me excel.”

After reflecting on this supportive community, Torry Thrasher, who works at the Optimist Solar site in Mississippi, discussed useful advice for the beginning of his internship. “I would tell my past self to come in with questions, always be ready to learn and listen, it’s ok if you make mistakes and try to talk to everybody you are working with,” he said.

By taking advantage of every learning opportunity from experienced team members, the interns enter their careers prepared.

As the renewable energy industry expands, RES invests in its future by supporting these talented individuals. With more jobs in the renewable industry than qualified individuals to fill those jobs, these interns contribute crucial ideas that grow themselves and RES.