Faith Wade, Paralegal Specialist
Education: Towson University, B.S. in Family & Human Services, Minor in Deaf Studies
Joined FERC: Intern, June 2019 | Full-time August 2020
What are some of the day-to-day operations of an Environmental Protection Specialist at FERC?
"Some of my day-to-day operations include scheduling virtual conferences and hearings for my assigned judges team, reviewing and processing orders for the many dockets that our office takes care of, and being in constant communication with my different teams. This position has already offered opportunities and trainings to better my skill set for my position and provide background energy knowledge to better become familiar with the industry. Overall, I believe that FERC and my position overall is an amazing start to my career, and I truly feel that I am thriving in my work environment."
What advice do you have for someone considering a career with FERC?
"You have to be a team player as well as be able to work independently at times. FERC is amazing at creating a very inclusive work environment. Also, don’t let the energy part deter you from applying, as you can see from my degree I do not have an energy background, however, FERC employees are open to teaching you more about the energy industry and are really good with answering any questions."
Shawn Halerz, Environmental Protection Specialist
Education: Towson University, B.S. Environmental Science
Joined FERC: Intern, May 2017 | Full-time June 2018
What are some of the day-to-day operations of an Environmental Protection Specialist at FERC?
“I am stationed in the Office of Energy Project’s Division of Hydropower Administration and Compliance, where much of my work involves ensuring compliance with FERC rules and regulations and environmental requirements of hydropower licenses. This is typically done through the review of filings submitted to FERC by licensees or by physically inspecting hydropower projects. I work on assignments and issues that involve recreation, shoreline management, wildlife resources, terrestrial resources, NEPA, and ESA.”
What advice do you have for someone considering a career with FERC?
“Try to familiarize yourself with the various roles that FERC plays in energy regulation. While working here, staff have the opportunity to work on complex multidisciplinary projects, even as an intern. Every project/assignment is different and brings forth its own challenges which keeps the work interesting. If you are interested in a challenging and rewarding career in energy, I encourage you to seek out available opportunities with FERC.”
Tiffany Kaufman, Human Resources Specialist (Employee Development)
Education: Washington State University, B.A. Public Affairs
Joined FERC: Intern, Summer 2016 | Full-time, January 2017
What advice do you have for someone considering a career with FERC? (3-4 sentence)
“The culture of our agency is one of the main reasons I wanted to work here. After my internship, I had a job at another federal agency. After that experience, it reaffirmed that I wanted to work at FERC permanently. FERC’s consistently rated one of the best places to work and it is reflected in the culture and the important work the agency does.”
What are some of the day-to-day operations of a Human Resource Specialist at FERC? (3-4 sentences)
“I am a member of the Employee Development team where I am currently a project and program manager for training resources in our agency. I manage two programs that are essential for the development of all FERC staff. Since I started with the agency, my work has gradually evolved into more challenging work and projects.”
Wimberly Dick, Mechanical Engineer
Education: Baylor University, B.S. Mechanical Engineering 2017
Joined FERC: Intern, summer 2016 | Full-time May 2017
What advice do you have for someone considering a career with FERC?
“Working at FERC allows you to work in the entire industry. You won’t just be working with one company on one project but rather helping the entire country. That is incredibly rewarding and something that should not be taken lightly.”
What are some of the day-to-day operations of a Mechanical Engineer at FERC?
“I assist with the citing and regulation behind liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities all around the country. This includes traveling onsite inspections and meeting with other federal agencies. As an intern, I co-authored a research paper on the hazards that projectiles cause for LNG storage tanks. We presented our research to other federal agencies and presented a poster at the AIChe 13th Global Congress on Process Safety.”
Jessica Lowman, Energy Industry Analyst
Education: George Mason University, B.S. Economics 2017
Joined FERC: Intern, Summer 2016 | Full-time May 2017
What did you enjoy the most about your beginning months at FERC?
“The intern events were a fun way to get out of the office and get to know DC/your fellow interns! There's something about sweating together on a twenty minute back to the office that builds camaraderie. My internship experience throughout the summer and school year acclimated me to the demands of a full-fledged career at FERC so I would recommend pursuing internship or volunteer opportunities at FERC! I do a lot of work on a utility's cost of service which involves reviewing financial statements and models as well as making your own adjustments.”
Rodger Manzano, Energy Industry Analyst
Education: San Diego State University, B.A. Economics 2014 | University of Maryland, M.P.S, Economics 2017
Joined FERC: Intern, Summer 2016 | Full-time June 2017
What did you enjoy the most about your beginning months at FERC?
“Everyone at FERC is very helpful and happy to answer any question. The staff at FERC are very knowledgeable and interested in energy, which motivates you to grow and learn more about energy. There are also a lot of opportunities to learn more about different aspects of energy and improve overall as an employee. Currently I analyze energy policy through research, public comments, and outreach to assist in policy recommendations. I think being at FERC is an accomplishment itself.”
What advice do you have for someone considering a career with FERC?
“Try to familiarize yourself as much as possible about energy and FERC's role in energy regulation. There are great resources on the FERC website that could help. Having a strong interest and curiosity for energy policy will also help a lot.”
Brent Eldridge, Operations Research Analyst
Education: Texas A&M University, B.S. Industrial Engineering 2011 | University of California, Berkeley, M.S. Industrial Engineering and Operations Research 2014
Joined FERC: Intern, June 2014 | Full-time October 2014
“Many of my coworkers are exceptionally talented and have a deep knowledge of electricity markets. I work on the mathematical models that underlie market transactions. The internship was a valuable opportunity to learn from experts and to explore emerging issues. It is a good idea to learn how the wholesale electricity market works so that you can begin working on something interesting right away. The internship helped me learn the limitations of large-scale optimization applications in the electricity market.”
Sakishia Simms, Labor and Employee Relations Specialist
Education: Bowie State University, B.S. Human Resources | University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, M.A. Human Resource Development 2015
Joined FERC: STAR, June 2014 | Full-time June 2015
“I enjoyed that during the internship, all the interns were able to have mentors assigned to us for the summer. Having a mentor really helps when you’re new to working in a federal government agency. I was able to learn a lot about HR in the government as an intern. During my time as an intern, I would try to get projects from every branch in HR just to see what best fit me as well as gain knowledge in areas I was not particularly familiar with. Before I started as a Labor and Employee Relations Specialist, I would work on small projects for the HR team that allowed me to see what exactly it took to be a successful HR specialist.”
What advice would you give to future interns?
“Network, work hard, and learn as much as you can. Networking allows you to expand your resources. As an intern there will be assignments where you may have to organize the file room, copy, or scan papers, which doesn’t seem to be too interesting, but you never know who may be watching you and how helpful your efforts are to the Commission. Everyone that you may work with during your time at the Commission has a valuable lesson you can learn from. It could be anything from teamwork with the other interns in order to accomplish a goal or leadership skills from observing management and mentors day to day.”
Katherine Scott, Energy Industry Analyst
Education: Meredith College, B.A. Environmental Studies 2010 | George Washington University, M.A. Environmental Resource Policy 2015
Joined FERC: STAR, June 2014 | Full-time, May 2015
“I really enjoyed the overview of all other offices and getting to know interns in other offices through the Summer Intern Program’s events and getting the opportunity to work with the Commission members. Remember to take all the opportunities you can to get to know other offices, and let people know you are interested in a full time career every chance you get, even if you feel like are constantly repeating yourself.”
What are the day-to-day tasks of an Energy Industry Analyst?
“I currently review regulatory filings from RTOs and individual companies in the energy industry. The job requires a lot of reading, frequent writing, summarizing of legal opinions and research to understand all issues that were raised in the filing. My graduate degree prepared me for this job by introducing me to complex research of energy and environmental issues, legal briefs and studying relevant legal cases.”
Recent Graduates
Owen Reynolds, Economist
Education: Ohio Wesleyan University, B.A. International Business & Spanish 2007 | Northeastern University, M.S. Commerce and Economic Development 2013
Joined FERC: Recent Graduates Program, September 2013
“I really liked how much I learned in my first year, as well as the camaraderie of the office. I also really appreciated my mentor, who I still see and speak with frequently. My managers and the rest of my colleagues were incredibly supportive of me in my first weeks and months. In Market Oversight, I keep up to date on market trends and behavior both quantitatively and qualitatively. I work on natural gas pipeline issues and largely study price and flow changes, as well as their function in the context of electric wholesale markets. I present my analysis at the Branch, Division, Office and Commission level when appropriate to keep Staff and Commissioners up to speed on market developments.”
What advice would you share with Recent Graduates interest in FERC opportunities?
“Learn as much as possible about the particular market you’re working in. The more you understand about the pipelines, RTOs and traditional markets in your focus area, the more quickly you'll adapt to the filings.”
Mark Armamentos, Economist
Education: Central Lewis University, B.A. Economics 2009 | Northern Illinois University, M.A. Economics 2013
Joined FERC: Recent Graduates Program, September 2013
“For the first few months, I was inundated with more things to learn than I ever was in graduate school. However, my manager was (and still is) very supportive! He made sure I had access to the proper training materials and let me largely direct my own study for a couple months while giving me routine casework to get me used to the processes around here. By November of my first year, I was already on and sometimes lead complex cases. Be ready to learn a ton of new material, including more acronyms than you’ve ever seen! Every industry has its own language, and FERC is no different.”
What are the day-to-day tasks of an Economist at FERC?
“I process routine and complex filings dealing electricity market issues and formula rates. Most of my time is spent doing research on specific topics and writing drafts of the orders that the Commission issues.”
Nicole Buell, Economist
Education: University of Richmond, B.S. Biology & Sociology 2007 | Duke University, M.S. Environmental Management (Environmental Economics and Policy) 2011
Joined FERC: Recent Graduates Program, September 2013
“I enjoy how friendly and helpful all of the employees are—particularly how everyone is so willing to (and continues to) drop everything and answer questions, help sort through an issue or problem. I’m constantly impressed with the knowledge everyone has to share. I analyze rate, rule, and regulation changes filed by electrical companies and regional transmission operators while working alongside many different offices including the Office of General Council, Office of Electric Reliability, Office of Energy Policy and Innovation. I also present options and recommendations to senior staff, and write and review orders for the Commissioners."
What advice would you share to new employees at FERC?
“Use your beginning months to read as much as you can, get on as many projects as you can, and join as many meetings you can. The exposure is critical to learning about the job and learning to do it well (in addition to figuring out what is of most interest to you).”
Matt McWhorter, Energy Industry Analyst
Education: College of William and Mary, B.A. Government 2006 | University of Massachusetts, Boston, M.A. Public Administration 2015
Joined FERC: Winter 2016
“FERC offers a great mix of professionals from diverse backgrounds and perspectives. The work is truly engaging. The Office of Energy Markets and Regulations (East) staff have been welcoming and very receptive to answering questions and providing guidance.
FERC offers a truly interdisciplinary experience at the energy policy-engineering-economics nexus. The agency has an abundance of human capital resources to leverage in your quest for personal knowledge and development.”
What are the day-to-day activities of an Energy Industry Analyst at FERC?
“My daily tasks are typically focused on analyzing new electric rate filings submitted to the agency from jurisdictional entities in the East region of the United States. This involves assessing options for the requested Commission action and coordinating with internal staff from other departments. I also research appropriate Commission precedent to ensure that the orders I draft are in accordance with current FERC policies and guidance.”