Day in the Life of a Water Power Professional
With the U.S. Department of Energy’s Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) , the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the Hydropower Foundation created the Day in the Life video series to highlight a day in the life of marine energy and hydropower professionals and inspire the next-generation water power workforce.
Marine energy and hydropower are poised to play a growing role in our renewable energy future; however, there are challenges in filling hydropower jobs and attracting talent with the necessary skills to help marine energy advance and commercialize. Inspiring and energizing tomorrow’s workforce is key to ensuring these critical technologies' viability and expansion.
From a hydropower compliance specialist to an ocean engineer, a mechanical engineer to an operations and maintenance manager, we have shared diverse stories across industry, government entities, and the DOE national labs. Now, to inspire tomorrow’s workforce and ensure these critical technologies’ viability and expansion, we are asking YOU to develop your very own Day in the Life video.
Share your video from your social media accounts and call on others to offer a look into their day as a water power professional using the hashtag #DayInTheLife. Be sure to also tag NREL (@NREL) and the Hydropower Foundation (@GoHydropower)!
A toolkit is available to help professionals create their own videos to share. The toolkit includes:
- Prompts
- Examples
- Best practices
- How to interact on social media.
If you have any questions, please or .
Prompts
Required Prompts
- Please state the following: “My name is… I am from… and I work for…. as a….. where my responsibilities include….” Also state how long you have worked in the hydropower industry.
- What is your educational and training background? (For example, a bachelor’s degree, trade school certificate, etc.)
- How did you get interested in the hydropower industry?
- Why should people consider careers in the hydropower industry?
- What do you like best about your job?
Optional Prompts
- What does your job entail? What kind of skills or experiences do you need to do your job?
- Why do you think your work is important?
- What advice would you give the next generation trying to gain employment in the hydropower industry?
Examples
Get inspired and catch a glimpse of other water power professionals’ experiences:
- Alejandro Moreno, U.S. Department of Energy
- Allison Frechette, Brookfield Renewable
- Chong Vue, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Miguel Quintero, U.S. Navy’s Naval Surface Warfare Center
- Nathan Tom, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Robynne Murray, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Vicki Hoffman, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Video Recording Tips & Best Practices
It’s time to show the world your day in the life as a water power professional! Please feel free to record your message on your phone or computer—whichever you prefer–and make it your own! Compile a video montage that highlights a specific project. Take a selfie video of your day at the office or in the field. Share a childhood story that inspired your career choice. Get creative in how you tell your story!
Best Practices
- Use a simple background. The focus should be on you, so try to record away from people, pets, or personal items that will distract the audience.
- Make sure you are well-lit from the front. Cameras capture better video when there is a good light source. Try to light yourself from the front with soft, indirect light, and minimize other lighting in the room.
- Set your laptop camera to eye level. Your eyes and the camera should be at the same level and should be an arms-length away from your face. When you are recording, look directly at your camera—not your computer screen.
- Good sound quality is essential. Audio is just as important as the visuals in a video interview. If you intend to use your computer microphone, create a test recording to make sure the sound is captured clearly. Minimize other sounds in the room and turn off any machines or fans that create excess noise.
Social Media
Social media is an excellent way to promote your video and your career! It also allows you to engage with fellow water power professionals as well as younger workers looking to enter the renewable energy field. Because NREL and the Hydropower Foundation will monitor the video series hashtag (#DayInTheLife), we strongly encourage you to use the hashtag and include us in your promotion, when appropriate, using the details below:
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Twitter: @ENERGY
- Facebook: @energygov
- LinkedIn: u-s-department-of-energy
- Instagram: @energy
DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Twitter: @eeregov
- LinkedIn: eeregov
- Facebook: @eeregov
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
- Twitter: @NREL
- Facebook: @nationalrenewableenergylab
- LinkedIn: national-renewable-energy-laboratory
- Instagram: @nationalrenewableenergylab
Hydropower Foundation
- Twitter: @goHydropower
- Facebook: @HydropowerFoundation
- LinkedIn: @hydro-research-foundation
- Instagram: @hydrofoundation
