Today's Focus: Retech Summary. I spent Thursday walking the Exhibitor's floor at the Retech Conference in D.C. By way of background, this conference is one of the major renewable energy conferences. Today, I will pass along general observations. Tomorrow, I will summarize personal conversations I had with various renewable energy companies.
My first reflection is that the day made me remember what it like to be 22 or 26 and looking for a job. In one respect, it's awful. I presented myself to employers as someone who was supporting a group of students looking for clean energy jobs. Their reaction (through my eyes) was a combination of "oh, no, another person looking for a job," or worse, "oh, sh__, a headhunter." Everyone, however, was polite and in many cases quite interested in Dayaway and its student members. But I really felt the loneliness, rejection and emotional fatigue of what it is like to be a young professional with little or no experience looking for a job. It's easy to forget this when you are my age. Thursday took care of that. But the positive side is what matters.
I will write more about the positive side tomorrow, but a quick word on "chipping away" is the point now. Each conversation I had made the next one a little easier. For one thing, just talking with people was better than being alone. It's a little bit of the "misery loves company" thing, but it's also helpful to hear the words of encouragement and really good ideas that you get. The other great thought/feeling that came from trolling the floor and cold-calling was remembering the value of being resourceful and keeping moving. Things happen when you stay in motion. Things don't when you don't. At my age I know that's the attitude that employers want. It's more important than grades, degrees, school pedigrees and the like. It's what you do that matters. Crappy times like these bring that out in people, well some people. While I feel badly for those who struggle with that, I feel great about those who will discover it in themselves. The laws of large numbers coupled with the human condition assure me that Dayaway has a bunch of of these folks. I so look forward to getting to know and help them.
The Retech gathering seemed smaller than it was two years ago, no doubt reflecting changed economic conditions. That said, there were thousands of people attending the conference which occupied most of the Washington Conference Center thereby evidencing the size of the clean energy industry and its spectacular future. The company representatives with whom I spoke (approximately 20) said their companies were not hiring presently, but were hopeful that they would be in the future--no specific time frames given.
At least half of the companies (some large, some not) said they would hire entry-level college graduates, undergrad and graduates. Several spoke of internship programs. Even then, however, they mentioned the desire for some experience (not necessarily clean energy experience). For graduate students, this would seem less of a problem. For undergraduates, it demonstrates the importance of internships and, as well, the huge challenge of getting the first job.
Finally, I was surprised by how many non-US exhibitors were present--Japan, India, Italy, Germany, etc. At first, this depressed me because it suggests that the US is falling further behind other countries. But the more I have thought about it, this may be a very good thing. Why? Because competition is a primary motivator. As the Nike commercial stated, "Only two things motivate people: Fear and Interest." When you see the investments and market penetration being made by non-US companies in clean energy, you can't help feeling that you're getting left behind or that you could make a ton of money or perhaps both. I certainly felt fearful and interested.
Tomorrow I will report on specific conversations I had. Don't hesitate to contact me if you have specific questions about the conference.
Got or need a clean energy job/internship? Join or follow Dayaway.
michaelbrownell@dayawaycareers.com. Thanks. Mike b.
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