By Victoria Farella
Victoria Farella is a junior at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring in environmental sciences on the quantitative energy systems track. She is also pursuing minors in data science and risk management.
Connecting Students and Clean Tech Professionals at the Summit
As an IE Cleantech Corner Initiative intern for the past two years, I have cherished the chance to contribute to various impactful projects and gain invaluable, hands-on experience in the clean energy sector through this transformative summit.
For those unfamiliar, the Cleantech Corner is a visionary initiative founded over a decade ago by Gregory Gangi, associate director of Clean Technology and Innovation, and a teaching professor at UNC’s Institute for the Environment. Tasked with coordinating and hosting the annual two-day Cleantech Summit held at the Friday Conference Center, the initiative has become a cornerstone for advancing the clean energy movement in the Southeast.
In the Spring of 2014, Gangi spearheaded the inaugural event, laying the foundation for what has since evolved into an annual tradition that continues to inspire innovation and drive progress in the clean energy sector. The Cleantech Summit unites students from across the Research Triangle—representing Duke, NC State, and UNC-Chapel Hill—with international private-sector professionals, government officials, and other diverse stakeholders. Over the years, this event has evolved into one of the largest university-led summits of its kind in the country, drawing nearly 1,500 attendees annually.
Seeing the summit come to fruition after a year of dedicated effort is incredibly rewarding. Whether it is witnessing panels take shape, engaging with innovative industry leaders I had the privilege to connect with and invite, or seeing key themes brainstormed throughout the process evolve into meaningful and insightful discussions. The collaborative energy and meaningful dialogues that emerge during the event make all the effort worthwhile, and I am grateful to be part of such an impactful initiative.
Gaining Valuable Experience
Two years ago, as a freshman still navigating this new chapter of my life, I felt uncertain about my future. Unlike some of my friends who seemed to have their career paths meticulously planned and their courses strategically mapped out, I was still trying to figure out what a First-Year Foundations course even was. The only thing I knew for sure was my passion for conserving the environment, but I had no clear concept of how to transform this passion into a meaningful, long-term career.
While I was vaguely aware of the clean energy sector, I initially dismissed it as a potential path, believing it was a field primarily for engineers. Instead, I focused my attention on ecological research. That changed during my first semester enrolled in ENEC 201 when I learned about an opportunity to intern with the Cleantech Corner Initiative. Intrigued and eager to explore an area where I had limited experience, I decided to jump on the opportunity. It wasn’t until I attended the summit, engaged with diverse panels covering topics such as energy storage modeling, strategies for commercializing fusion energy, innovative sustainable agriculture techniques, and so many more, and actively connected with individuals through this internship that I discovered a career path within the clean energy economy that I am genuinely excited to pursue.
“The collaborative energy and meaningful dialogues that emerge during the event make all the effort worthwhile, and I am grateful to be part of such an impactful initiative.”
As I delved into the internship, I found the experience both fascinating and rewarding. The opportunity to engage directly with prominent professionals—including CEOs, CFOs, doctoral researchers, government representatives, and other distinguished individuals—was incredibly compelling, though admittedly daunting. My first assignment was to interview panelists slated to speak at the summit, a task aimed at supporting advertising and outreach efforts. Armed with only a foundational understanding of biology, chemistry, and economics, I initially felt uncertain about how I would navigate conversations with CEOs of groundbreaking startups and high-ranking officials from the Department of Energy (DOE).
During my first few interviews, it quickly became apparent that these professionals were just as eager to engage in dialogue as I was. Their passion was infectious as they shared their backgrounds, described their current work, and discussed the rapid evolution of the clean energy industry. Many spoke with enthusiasm about the next generation’s potential—young people ready to innovate and push the field to new heights.
To my surprise, they also showed a genuine interest in my passions and perspectives, actively seeking to understand the views of students like me. I was even fortunate to secure my first internship at Soelect Inc., a startup specializing in battery component manufacturing, thanks to one of these interviews with the CEO of the company.
After my first year working on the summit, I was thrilled to return as an intern, this time with even greater responsibilities. I had the opportunity to help design and organize panels while also leading efforts for the Mentor Match program, a program that fosters meaningful one-on-one exchanges between students and industry professionals with shared interests.
Stepping on Stage and Under the Bright Lights
One of the most unforgettable moments of this experience was moderating a keynote panel alongside fellow interns, Anthony Buckley and Jackson Lefler, featuring David Turk, the deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Energy. Engaging in such a personal and direct interaction with one of the nation’s top energy officials was nothing short of extraordinary. What made the experience even more special was Deputy Secretary Turk’s genuine openness and thoughtfulness—he took the time to connect with us as students and understand our perspectives on the pressing challenges and opportunities in the field, making the moment both inspiring and profoundly meaningful.
Moderating this panel in front of hundreds of people was nerve-wracking, yet exhilarating. Confronting my fear of public speaking and embracing this challenge filled me with renewed excitement about the possibilities within this industry. More importantly, it allowed me to discover a newfound confidence in my academic abilities and personal strengths.
It wasn’t until I attended the summit, engaged with diverse panels covering topics such as energy storage modeling, strategies for commercializing fusion energy, innovative sustainable agriculture techniques and so many more, and actively connected with individuals through this internship, that I discovered a career path within the clean energy economy that I am genuinely excited to pursue.
There’s still so much to learn and countless experiences to embrace before I settle into my ultimate career. But instead of feeling anxious or uncertain, I’m filled with excitement knowing this is just the beginning of my journey.
To learn more about this year’s Cleantech Summit, taking place on Mar. 24 and 25 at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill, visit our website. There, you can explore the keynote speakers, discover the range of topics being presented, and register to attend the event.