LevelTen Energy is proud to welcome our 2024 Energy Scholars! The program is designed to address inequality in the clean energy industry by equipping students from underrepresented backgrounds with the education, mentorship, and networking they need to land jobs once they graduate.
From June 25 to August 16, our Scholars will attend educational sessions with LevelTen Energy and our partners. In addition, each Scholar will be connected with a mentor and provided with networking opportunities to meet people in the clean energy industry. During their time in the program, they’ll receive free housing through the University of Washington, as well as travel accommodations and paid internships that include real-world projects designed to boost their resume and experience.
In our Student Spotlights series, we are highlighting Scholars each week. Get to know this week's Scholars and be sure to add them to your LinkedIn network:
Benjamin Sylvester | Connect with Benjamin on LinkedIn
What's your name, school, major, and graduating year?
Hi, my name is Benjamin Sylvester, I am a student at Drexel University and I am studying Environmental Studies and Sustainability with a minor in Computer Science. I will be graduating in 2026.
Tell me about you. What's your elevator pitch in two sentences?
My drive comes from the fact that we only have one life to live, there is only one planet to live on and we are the only ones who can make a difference so that future generations can continue to live on this planet. I am from Kingston, Jamaica and passionate about sustainability but more specifically renewable energy, my dream is to play a pivotal role in creating a more sustainable Jamaica that is powered by renewable energy.
Why are you passionate about sustainability and renewable energy?
Growing up in Jamaica I spent most of my time outside and developed an appreciation for the beauty found in the natural world. As I developed this appreciation I also noticed unnaturally rapid changes in the landscape of my island home, changes that are a result of everyday actions we make. I also came to the realization that since Jamaica is an island nation that is dependent on tourism and agriculture for food as well as global commerce, changes in our climate would have severe negative effects on the country and its people. I am specifically passionate about renewable energy because electricity generation is one of the major sources of CO2 emissions globally and I believe assisting in the energy transition is one of the largest impacts that I can have in the fight against climate change in Jamaica and the world.
What's your favorite project you've worked on so far as a student? How does this project demonstrate how you think and what you bring to a team?
One of my favorite projects was developing a comprehensive plan for rooftop solar adoption in Jamaica. This project emerged from a class focused on climate change solutions, where we had the freedom to choose a topic that resonated with us. Given my passion for solar energy and my long-term aspirations for contributing to Jamaica's sustainable development, I chose to explore solar photovoltaics.The project involved creating a detailed guide to help Jamaican homeowners navigate the entire process of installing rooftop solar panels. My plan included everything from assessing roof structural integrity to ensuring proper interconnection with the local power grid. This required thorough research and a deep understanding of both technical and logistical aspects.This project demonstrates my ability to approach complex problems with a structured mindset. I meticulously broke down the process into manageable steps, reflecting my strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
What's the best advice you've heard, and what's the best advice you've given?
Best advice I have received: Don’t be afraid to fail. Making mistakes is a part of life and no one is going to do everything perfectly. Learning form your mistakes is one of the best ways to make rapid self improvements.
The best advice I have given: Don’t focus on comparing yourself with others in everything you do. Competition is healthy but comparison can kill your self confidence. Everyone is running their own race in life and that means we all will all achieve different things and reach different milestones at various points in our lives.
Aarushi Verma | Connect with Aarushi on LinkedIn
What's your name, school, major, and graduating year?
Hello! My name is Aarushi Verma and I am studying Quantitative Economics and Philosophy of Science at the University of Utah! I graduate in May of 2025.
Tell me about you. What's your elevator pitch in two sentences?
I am a lifelong learner who is passionate about creating sustainability strategies in business spaces and rethinking waste reduction designs. Through my experiences working in strategy consulting, participating in case competitions, and serving as a long-time committee member of a food waste reduction nonprofit, I’m motivated to embed green thought into all corporate decision-making.
Why are you passionate about sustainability and renewable energy?
My passion for sustainability originates from my family’s stewardship as small, rural farmers in India. It was through them that I learned the fundamental concepts of sustainability and circular economy. As climate change makes our world more unstable, I’m always reminded of the people back home who taught me so much, yet face the worst impacts of the crisis.
What's your favorite project you've worked on so far as a student? How does this project demonstrate how you think and what you bring to a team?
In March, I worked as a strategy consultant for Rock Garden, a 3D-rendering software company looking to enter new markets. Using my passion for sustainability, I focused my case research on ways 3D renders could be used to combat climate change and developed a proposal for the company to enter the forest surveillance industry. As the team lead of this market entry proposal, I focused on Rock Garden’s ability to provide more accurate carbon storage estimates and create better wildfire prediction models through their software. After presenting to the company’s C-suite leadership, we learned they were interested in pursuing the idea and took our contact information to conduct future follow-up meetings. I’m very proud of my contribution to this project because I was able to consult a company with no green initiatives to implant sustainability into their inherent business strategy.
What song makes you get up and dance?
I’m a Bollywood dancer and Mauja Hi Mauja by Mika Singh always gets me grooving :)
Thank you to our sponsors
The Energy Scholars program would not be possible without our partners and sponsors, which include Clearway Energy, Energy GPS, Energy and Environmental Economics, Inc., Google, GridStor, Microsoft, SB Energy, and University of Washington. We’d like to thank them for their support! If any organizations would like to support the program as a sponsor, please reach out to Kirsten.Rota@LevelTenEnergy.com.
