Employee Spotlight – Alexandra Szmyd

VIP: Alex, thanks for participating. Please tell us about yourself.  

 Alex: Hello! My name is Alexandra Szmyd, and I’m a fourth-year student at the University of Chicago studying Public Policy and Environmental Studies. My interests lie primarily in environmental justice, renewable energies, and animal agriculture. During my free time, I enjoy cooking, camping, and exploring national parks. 

I joined VIP as a Developmental Intern with the goal of uncovering the viability of BLM and tribal land. I’ve enjoyed my time here immensely and have learned so much from all the talented and experienced team members. 

VIP: Tell us about the internship program, how you found out about it, and why you decided to participate. 

 Alex: I received an email from my university about an upcoming coffee and fireside chat featuring a few environmental groups and companies. I thought it would be a great opportunity to network and potentially bookmark a few jobs I could pursue. Mike Weich also attended this event, and he described my career interests to a T.  To be a part of a team that discusses a potential project one minute and then on the ground surveying the land for that project in another. A career where I’d be able to meet and discuss energy solutions with people all over the country. I approached Mike Weich to express my interest in VIP and handed him my resume. I was beyond grateful to get an email back a few weeks later, and soon, the interview process began, during which I met the rest of the amazing team. 

 VIP: What goals do you have for your time at VIP during the internship?  

Alex: During my internship at VIP, I have several goals that I’m eager to pursue. Firstly, I aim to deepen my understanding of how environmental and urban policy principles translate into real-world practices within a corporate setting. I also look forward to actively contributing to ongoing projects and initiatives at VIP. Whether conducting research or proposing new initiatives, I want to leverage my academic background and enthusiasm for policy to add value to the team’s efforts. I’m particularly interested in exploring how VIP can successfully engage in projects in tribal and environmental justice areas. 

 VIP: What attributes define a successful transition to corporate America? 

Alex: I believe perseverance and curiosity are incredibly important during the transition to corporate America. As an intern, I am keenly aware that there is so much I need to learn about the industry and about being a great employee. I, alongside most of my fellow students, usually encounter stress and panic when faced with projects or assignments we need to learn more about, and we may end up procrastinating or even dropping a class. However, to persevere is to understand that you’ll make some mistakes, but instead of running from them, you try to learn and grow from them. This leads me to my second attribute, curiosity. I plan to be a sponge this entire internship, soaking up as much knowledge as possible from the experienced team members around me.  

VIP: What does the ideal company culture look like for you?  

Alex: For me, the ideal company culture fosters collaboration, creativity, and a strong sense of purpose. It’s a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute their ideas and perspectives, regardless of their position or background. I also value a culture that prioritizes sustainability and social responsibility. To me, this means actively engaging with the community and pursuing projects that have a positive impact beyond the company’s bottom line. During my time here at VIP, I hope to contribute to a positive company culture and share my insights on community support in disenfranchised areas.  

 VIP: What were some of the biggest factors in deciding to join VIP for your internship?  

Alex: The biggest factor I was looking at when searching for an internship this summer was a company that allowed me to be hands-on and participate in multiple stages of a project. The development internship at VIP checked all those boxes for me, particularly the ability to travel to many new places and interact with the local communities. However, what truly won me over was meeting a few of VIP’s staff during the interview process. Getting to know individuals like Kristie McCord and Daryl Hart and seeing their commitment and passion for VIP and renewable energies drew me in. I knew I wanted to be a part of that environment and work towards their same goal of making the grid greener. 

 VIP: What advice do you have for students looking to break into the energy Sector successfully?

 Alex: My advice to students would be to attend as many career and community events as possible. Whether they are being hosted by your university or some other organization, these events are an incredible resource to meet new people and start to learn about the different positions that are out there. I also believe it’s crucial to identify what your specific passions are. “Energy” or “Sustainability” is an incredibly broad category with so many intricate subcategories that naming it as a singular passion may come off as vague. Identifying what specifically interests you about energy will be helpful to you and your potential employer in identifying if a certain position is a good fit. 

 VIP: Thanks for taking the time to answer questions, last one: what do you like to do for fun when you’re not working? 

 Alex: One of my biggest passions is cooking. You can always catch me experimenting in the kitchen during my free time, either trying out a new recipe or getting creative with food scraps. I’m heavily inspired by homesteaders and their self-sufficiency, so I try to garden and use the food I grow as much as possible. My most enjoyable evenings are those when I invite my friends over for dinner parties.