Student Spotlight: Jacob

Jacob likes work that keeps him moving and learning. Outside SEM, he wrestles year-round and spends time mountain biking, snowboarding, swimming, and working on a project car. That mix of discipline and curiosity also shows up in his approach to school and work. He chose a Running Start path because he wanted a faster pace and a stronger challenge.

Managing college classes, work, and activities was stressful at first. Jacob found his rhythm by planning each week, keeping important commitments on a calendar, and learning not to overthink every demand. The process changed his view of organization. He had considered himself organized before SEM, but the program showed him how many connected steps a real client project can involve.

Friends first introduced Jacob to Student Energy Managers. He was interested because the role offered exposure to business and the experience of working inside a small company, an opportunity he did not often see locally. Taking the position also meant doing something that felt uncomfortable. His advice to other students reflects that choice: “The biggest thing I encourage people to do is say yes, go outside your comfort zone, and put yourself out there.”

A typical assignment can begin with research. Jacob reviews whether a building appears to qualify for SEM’s services, checks information entered by others, and looks for the owner, facility manager, or other appropriate contact. He then makes outreach calls, explains why he is calling, and records what he learns. When someone says no, he respects the answer and may leave a note to follow up later after the person has had time to learn more.

When an owner wants to continue, Jacob’s work shifts from outreach to project delivery. He may help prepare and present information about the Clean Buildings requirements, answer questions with the team, support a project kickoff, gather required building information, and organize documents for submission to Commerce. That sequence gives him a view of the full client journey, not just one isolated task.

Communication has become one of Jacob’s most important areas of growth. He has learned that knowing the terminology is not enough. A new client may be encountering the subject for the first time, so he has to slow down, return to the basics, and explain the work in plain language. He is also practicing how to approach people at professional events instead of waiting for them to approach him.

Jacob expects to study business administration, although he is still deciding what the next several years will look like. SEM is already giving him practice in research, quality control, client communication, presentations, and project coordination. For prospective partners, his experience shows what happens when students receive real responsibility, useful coaching, and work that has a clear purpose.

To explore a partnership that gives students meaningful work while helping local building owners, contact SEM.