NAME: Devon Swezey
ROLES: Senior Project Development Associate; Global Energy Markets And Policy
COMPANIES: First Solar; Google
Perspectives: How did you get your job at First Solar and then at Google?
DS: I initially learned about the available job in Project Development at First Solar via a SAIS alumn who was recruiting for the job through the SAIS network. When I was in Bologna I reached out to a number of SAISers in fields I was interested in for informational interviews. The alumn at First Solar was one of these, and we were in touch when the job became available after graduation, and I was able to get an interview for the role.
I found out about the job opportunity at Google through a former colleague at First Solar who had moved to the same team a few months prior. She referred me to the position which was helpful for getting an interview.
I think both experiences speak to the importance of building your network and reaching out to people who are doing work that you are interested in.
Perspectives: What have your main responsibilities been at First Solar and now Google?
DS: At First Solar I was responsible for developing utility-scale solar PV plants in the Southwest US and Mexico. This included negotiating real state agreements, progressing interconnection studies with utilities, navigating permitting processes, financial modeling, and negotiating power purchase agreements with utilities and corporate companies.
I was initially hired into Google in a similar project development role (but for data centers), but transitioned into an energy policy/strategy role, which was more closely aligned with my long-term career interests. Most recently, I led Google’s energy market development and policy for our European data center and energy portfolio.
Perspectives: What is the day to day like at First Solar, and at Google? What have been some pros and cons of working at each?
DS: Day to day work at First Solar involved a lot of project execution work - preparing RFP proposals; creating project schedules, progressing different aspects of the project from the real estate, interconnection, and permitting side. I also traveled from time to time to visit the sites we were targeting and meet with landowners, utility companies, and local government officials in the communities where we were developing projects. One of the benefits of working in project development is that you get exposure to all of the on the ground work necessary to turn a plot of land into an operating power plant, and understand how all the pieces fit together.
At Google my work has been higher-level and focused more on policy and strategy, but still tied to the operational outcomes of my broader team which focuses on developing and expanding Google’s data center infrastructure as well as energy procurement. Day to day is focused on identifying policy priorities, developing engagement and policy strategies, building advocacy coalitions to push for policy change, and meeting with policymakers to discuss key energy issues. I like the strategic and longer-term nature of my current work, and also the thought leadership element.
Perspectives: What are your long term career goals and how do you feel your positions thus far at First Solar and Google will help you fulfill your aspirations?
DS: I would eventually like to work at the intersection of energy and economic development - supporting the development of infrastructure to bring electricity to the billions around the world that lack access today. My recent work has helped me understand both how such projects are built at the micro level as well as how the electricity system is structured and shaped by policy at the macro level.
Perspectives: What experiences/coursework at SAIS helped you decide on this career path and most helped you prepare for it?
DS: There are a few courses I would recommend at SAIS to prepare students for careers in the energy or electricity sector. For those in Bologna, Professor Hafner’s course on the politics and economics of international energy is a great, expansive introduction in energy topics. Professor Dell’Aquila’s class on renewable energy project development and finance introduces students to important concepts for getting projects built.
In DC, Professor Banks’ class on Global Electricity markets is a great survey of key topics in electricity markets and policy. I also really enjoyed Bill Bonvillian’s course on Energy Innovation Policy, which provides a great foundation for understanding the institutions and processes involved in accelerating innovation in energy technologies.
Finally, I’d recommend taking courses in Corporate Finance and Project Finance, which helped provide the analytical and modeling skills that have proved extremely useful for me in the business world.
Perspectives: What advice would you give SAIS students who are interested in working in your field?
DS: It’s a very exciting time to be working in energy, and the industry is changing quickly as technology and market structures are evolving faster than ever.
There are a few things I would recommend for students interested in the space:
Stay on top of the developments in the industry - there are a lot of publications (Greentech Media, Utility Dive, others) that publish informative articles about various energy topics.
Reach out to SAIS alumni that are working in fields you are interested in. Even if it’s just to learn more about somebody’s work or career path, informational interviews are one of the best ways for you to learn about what careers in this area are really like, and also a way to build your network in case an opportunity comes up that you might be interested in.
Be patient - you won’t likely get your dream job right out of grad school, but each job you do take can provide you with new skills and perspectives that will be valuable to you as you build towards your ultimate career goal. Always be thinking about what you want to learn to help get you to where you want to go, and how that next job can help you grow even if you won’t be there forever.
As narrated to Hayden Hubbard, Editor, SAIS Perspectives.
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Photo Credit: Photo by Andreas Gücklhorn on Unsplash