December 8, 2016

Alumni in energy: April Christensen (MEM '16) on "lightbulb moments" at Duke

Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions

  April Christensen (MEM '16) had a simple reaction to her first Energy Initiative event: "This is why I came to Duke." 

  April had sought a rigorous, interdisciplinary graduate program
  in energy. The master's degree in environmental management (and concentration in energy and the environment) offered by Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment fit the bill. And it was complemented by the Energy Initiative's interdisciplinary community. "I could tell the university had really made a commitment to energy," April recalls. 

April wasn't disappointed. "The Energy Initiative provided a launchpad for me to identify energy opportunities across Duke. I took courses in law, policy and engineering." During her time at Duke, April also participated in a Bass Connections team on the effects of unconventional shale gas development on rural communities

She regularly took part in Energy Mixes, Power Trips, and other cocurricular events organized by the Initiative: "I often had lightbulb moments during those experiences. They exposed me to different points of view and helped me apply what I was learning in the classroom."

April received multiple job offers upon graduating. Today she cultivates wind and solar projects as a business development associate for Invenergy — a power generation and energy storage company. "The Energy Initiative helped me bring the pieces of my learning together," April reflects. "And now I spend my days solving really interesting puzzles."

Want to tell your story of "energy at Duke"? Contact Braden Welborn

Want to get involved with Duke's energy education efforts, perhaps as a guest speaker or internship supervisor? Contact Stacy Peterson.   

Are you interested in providing financial support for energy programming at Duke? Contact Suellen Aldina