Colby-Powered Clean-Energy Careers
Recent graduates thrive in the growing clean-energy sector

Humming in the background of classrooms, libraries, and living spaces on Mayflower Hill is the white noise of electrical-powered lights, fans, and computers. But did you know 16 percent of that electricity is powered by solar panels installed on Mayflower Hill?
The College went “carbon neutral” a decade ago and continues to invest in renewable energy. The rest of the country is starting to catch up. The U.S. generates 12 times more solar power and 2.6 times as much wind power as it did in 2013. The clean-energy economy in Maine accounted for 15,000 jobs at the end of 2022, or 2.3 percent of the state’s workforce of 656,400.
Colby students are paying attention, joining the energy sector after graduation by the dozens.
“This is an incredible opportunity right now,” said Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Alison Bates, who specializes in energy policy. “We’re undergoing an energy transition, where we’re shifting off of fossil fuels and moving toward a net-zero energy economy. This transition requires a massive transformation of systems and requires people from all different backgrounds and skill sets to solve these problems.”
One major, three ways to pursue renewable energy
Colby’s Environmental Studies Department offers three tracks for students passionate about renewable energy: environmental science, environmental policy, and a new track, environmental computation. Students can take coursework in resource economics, renewable energy, and energy policy, in addition to traditional topics like wildlife management and ecology.

“All three tracks prepare students to enter the energy industry, if that’s what they choose,” said Bates. “An environmental science student might be interested in wildlife implications, or a policy student might look at how to help more households access solar technology, while computational students can analyze data on air quality, for example.”
The coursework culminates in a capstone where students look at big-picture problems and apply a multidisciplinary lens to solve them.
Bates’s capstone in offshore wind development is what inspired environmental policy and French double major Teddy Storrs ’22 to go into environmental consulting after graduation. As a research and policy analyst at Ohm Analytics in Boston, he spends his days analyzing federal, state, and private efforts to create a nationwide electric vehicle charging network similar to gas stations available on every street corner.
“There’s so much positive momentum in the industry right now that it feels like the best time to be in renewable energy,” said Storrs. “Everything is so new that I’m really learning as I go.”

It was that same capstone that drew Charlotte del Col ’21 to the energy sector after graduation. The environmental policy major began her career as an energy analyst for Portland-based environmental consulting firm Competitive Energy Services and is headed to Duke University in the fall to pursue her master’s in environmental management, focusing on energy and environmental justice.
“I really wanted to facilitate the energy transition in a way that’s conscious of meeting people where they’re at,” she said. “I love how I get to meet people halfway in my role and help them take that first step. I’m excited to take what I’ve learned at Colby and go deeper into the ways we can implement clean energy in an equitable way.”
She chose Colby because of its environmental studies major, and she appreciated taking a liberal arts approach to her studies. “You’re really able to pick your own path and go in so many directions,” del Col said.
An interdisciplinary approach to a growing industry
DavisConnects supports environmental and energy careers through holistic career advising and relationship-building to provide students with individualized guidance, said David Ding, a DavisConnects advisor specializing in STEM professions. “Like any environmental career, energy careers span into different areas too,” he said, noting that specialists on staff have the ability to advise students regarding energy policy, energy law, and other specific areas. “We also provide opportunities in energy and environmental careers through our employer connections team,” Ding said. “DavisConnects is always open for collaboration across campus on environmental careers and all career development guidance and opportunities.”
Exposure to the energy sector comes from unexpected places on campus, too. Louis Kraham ’18 got hooked on renewable energy after a guest lecture in his introductory microeconomics course during his first year on campus. “Understanding how you can harness the forces of capitalism to realize environmental goals, instead of putting them in opposition, really clicked for me,” said Kraham. He went all-in on solar postgrad, first as a financial analyst for a solar energy developer and now as an independent financial consultant for clean energy firms.
I’m excited to take what I’ve learned at Colby and go deeper into the ways we can implement clean energy in an equitable way.”
Charlotte del Col ’21
Solar-powered technology has existed since the 1800s, but it’s only become more viable in the last decade, holding an annual growth rate of 25 percent. While solar options are growing in popularity, the solar business is rapidly evolving in an uncharted business environment with a lot of competition, according to Kraham.
“Having a liberal arts degree, where you’re learning frameworks and analytical skills, has been super helpful in an industry without a traditional playbook,” he said. “You have to get creative and figure out ways to get things done.”
What helps young alumni get their footing in the real world is the breadth of skills they practice while at Colby. “The analytical and critical thinking skills I learned lends itself to my work every day,” said del Col. “These are core skills that every worker should have, and I’m grateful I was able to practice at Colby.”

Sam Plishtin ’19 tells a similar story. He was a global studies major at Colby, with a concentration in international economic policy and a minor in managerial economics. He prepared for his career in the energy sector by securing internships in finance, but he did not work in energy until after he graduated.
He is now an investment banking associate with New York-based PEI Global Partners, a boutique investment bank that specializes in power, energy, and infrastructure transactions. The company launched in 2021 and has quickly expanded. Plishtin joined as an analyst in August 2022 and was promoted to associate this past December.
He advises clients about buy-and-sell opportunities in the energy sector, arranging financing to support deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Prior to joining PEI Global Partners, he worked as a project finance associate and analyst for Valta Energy, an independent power producer based in California that originates, develops, finances, and constructs clean-energy projects across the United States in the commercial, industrial, small-utility, and community solar sectors.
“Colby students are so well-rounded because of their exposure to a multifaceted way of thinking and leadership opportunities. They’re not just getting these competitive energy sector jobs, but they’re successful when they get there.”
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Alison Bates
He loves his work and enjoys being part of a fast-growing and ever-evolving industry. “It’s very interesting, very tangible, and also very exciting,” Plishtin said, adding that his liberal arts education prepared him well. “I think what has transferred over best are my writing skills,” he said. “I spend a lot of time writing memoranda, and how you present an idea is paramount to your success.”
He’s also used some of the Spanish he learned while studying abroad as part of his global studies experience. “That has come in handy at times,” he said.
Gail Carlson, assistant professor of environmental studies and director of the Buck Lab for Climate and Environment, credited Bates for directing Colby students to professional opportunities in renewable energy in Maine and beyond. “Since Alison has been here, ES grads have had great success finding jobs in the renewable energy sector. The ES Department saw energy as a key subject area to add to our curriculum, and it has paid off,” Carlson said.
Added Bates, “Colby students are so well-rounded because of their exposure to a multifaceted way of thinking and leadership opportunities. They’re not just getting these competitive energy sector jobs, but they’re successful when they get there.”