Atticus Makuch ’24 completed the Energy Fellows Program through URI’s Cooperative Extension. Working with the energy efficiency policy and strategy team at Rhode Island Energy, he played a key role in helping the team understand and address the needs of diverse communities across Rhode Island. Through his contributions, the team was able to develop, refine, and expand energy efficiency initiatives, programs, and opportunities, ensuring they are accessible and effective for all residents in the state.
Q. What duties were part of your fellowship?
A. I served as a utility player for the team, pitching in on various projects involving planning our programs for the year, setting up data tracking, and reporting out to our stakeholders and regulatory bodies. My work focused mostly on increasing equitable access to energy efficiency resources, but the team gave me a well rounded experience and I got familiar with all sides of the industry.
What was the most surprising, unexpected, and/or fulfilling part about doing the Energy Fellowship?
I think the most unexpected and fulfilling part of my experience was how heavily involved I was with the work being done by the team. The structure of the fellowship offers a great opportunity for meaningful work because you get to ease into your role during the spring semester, then take on more responsibility once you go full-time for the summer. Summer is a very busy time for our group, and my mentor and supervisor made sure that I was always part of the action. There was not a lot of traditional “intern grunt work” involved.
What are some main takeaways from your work?
Energy Efficiency (EE) is generally a low-profile program. In the energy space, it tends to take a backseat to more “exciting” initiatives like renewable energy and battery storage, but I learned that EE is crucial to the continued function of our energy system, and the aforementioned innovations wouldn’t be possible without it. I think everyone should take a few minutes to learn about some of the programs we offer and just how big of an impact they have on the state’s overall energy consumption. Plus, we save our customers a lot of money!
How did this experience enrich your academic experience?
My hands-on experience made me more certain of the academic pathway I had chosen. It’s hard to know exactly what working in a particular industry is going to be like when you are still in school and an internship is by far the best way to figure that out. Plus, I ended up staying on working full-time at Rhode Island Energy, and that opportunity wouldn’t have come about for me without the fellowship!
What advice do you have for students who want to do a fellowship?
I highly recommend a fellowship for anyone who is already passionate about the area in which they are planning to study. A fellowship is a great developmental experience and it can be a lot of fun, but it’s a big commitment; even more so than a traditional internship. CELS and Cooperative Extension are always enthusiastic supporters of their fellows, so anyone who chooses this route should feel confident that URI will have their backs.
How do you think this experience will help you in the future?
As I mentioned, my fellowship has already helped me by setting me up with my current job which I love! Our weekly field trips and lectures also gave me some great perspectives about different sectors of the energy industry, so I can talk about all of those subjects with confidence.