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Coaching a New Era of Energy Leaders

Grace Rumford offers guidance to MSES students informed by lessons learned from 15 years working in the energy sector.

Grace Rumford (Kellogg '16), senior director for origination at NextEra Energy, knows there are countless job opportunities focused on energy and sustainability. She also knows that scope of opportunity can be daunting.

As a career coach for Northwestern's Master of Science in Energy and Sustainability (MSES) program, Rumford helps students navigate an industry growing and changing under the influence of global decarbonization efforts.

Grace Rumford"There are so many different career options to sample," said Rumford, who is in her third year coaching MSES students. "Before we get into specific jobs and job descriptions, I try to give students the tools for screening out what they don’t want so they can find and focus on what they do want."

MSES is jointly offered by Northwestern Engineering and the Paula M. Trienens Institute for Sustainability and Energy. Career coaches in the program are experts in their field who work with students to offer guidance and advice about their job search and professional interests. Career coaches are a part of the suite of customized career support resources that all MSES student receive during their tenure in the program.

Rumford brings more than 15 years of work experience in the energy sector to her role as a career coach, including her current work at NextEra Energy, the largest generator of renewable energy in the world. The company develops utility-scale wind and solar projects. In her role, Rumford helps large corporations identify the right wind or solar projects for their needs, then negotiates the contract.

Being part of the energy transition and developing a greener grid is what excites Rumford about her position.

"Getting renewable energy projects built and contracted is a complex process that requires deep thinking and a lot of grit," she said. "I enjoy working with companies who are being strategic about their energy procurement because together we are helping to bring a project to fruition."

This is Rumford's third year at NextEra Energy. She previously spent more than five years working at BP, where her responsibilities varied. As a strategy associate she helped develop strategic growth projects for the US retail business. She later led low-carbon strategy development for the company's downstream segment, served as a business adviser to the company's chief scientist, and helped to develop a new organization to help cities and corporations decarbonize.

"Between these two large energy companies I feel I have developed a very comprehensive understanding of the energy industry, both on the fuel side and the power side," she said. "What I love about the energy industry is it underpins our entire lives and our entire economies. But only a small portion of the population really understands how it works. Even though I have been in this industry for 15-plus years, I still feel that I am learning something new every day."

She stresses that message to MSES students. As students consider what they want to do professionally after MSES, Rumford doesn't want them to be overwhelmed by the opportunities. At the same time, she wants to make sure they understand the options and how those fit with each student's interests.

Spending time reflecting on what interests and matters to them is a lesson Rumford would like to convey to students even before they start MSES.

"The MSES program will expose you to a lot of interesting topics and career choices," she said. "What’s helpful is having your own value system in place so you can get what you want out of the program, rather than getting pulled in a lot of different directions and feeling overwhelmed."

That is why Rumford likes focusing on the "why" of the job search before the "how." While she eventually helps students with tips on networking, introductions, making their resume standout, and offering interview techniques, she wants students to first identify what they want. Only then can they pick out the right accompaniment.

Rumford enjoys getting to know the students she coaches and passing on lessons learned from her professional experiences. She also enjoys learning from them.

"I have been very impressed by the diversity of the MSES students, not only in their background and geographic origin, but also in their diversity of thinking and interests," she said. "It’s great to see such a motivated group of people all having a slightly different perspective on how to address a sustainable future. That is what we need."