Envirolution - Testimonials

Mario Cancassi had more than 20 years as an Operations Manager for commercial printing organizations.  Due to a sharp decline in the industry, he realized he needed to change his career direction, so he followed his interest in and passion for the green sector. In addition to earning numerous certifications, Mario signed up to become a Win-Win Campaign™ Intern.

 Here’s what Mario had to say about the Win-Win Campaign™ and his experience with the program: “While I had obtained the classroom training and certifications, I needed the hands-on experience that the Win-Win™ internship offered in order for the businesses to seriously consider my resume and application. Prior [to Win-Win™], I had been consistently sending out resumes, but I was getting little response. Once I completed the Envirolution™ training and began to work with Antuan regarding my job search, I started to receive more interviews and the opportunities started to appear.

 Of his new post as Sales Engineer at Wildan Energy Solutions, Mario glows: “This new career feels very exciting because it is in its infancy and because of the infinite possibilities it holds. I enjoy being part of an industry that is in alignment with my values. I am a firm believer in promoting energy efficiency and being responsible for energy conservation.”

“I was a Criminology and Pre-law undergrad student at SUNY Old Westbury. In my Senior year as an undergrad, I found out I was a mother-to-be. After I graduated in Spring of 2008, it was rather difficult to find employment. After having my son and wanting to jump into a career, it was to my dismay that I couldn’t land a career in my field of study and was forced to take a retail sales position.”

“Before the Win-Win Campaign™ program, my prospects for employment were dim, and so were my networking options. Not knowing who to talk to or where to find them, I don’t know where I’d be without this opportunity.

About the Win-Win Campaign™, Janera says, “This is the perfect opportunity to get your feet in the door to a newer, flourishing job market. This program has done its job to bridge the gaps of the struggling working class and has made opportunity beyond the training within arm’s reach. If you have the passion, then this is definitely for you. It was for me.”

“From the beginning [when I was] in India,  I was very much interested in sustainable design, energy efficiency, passive design, and I wanted to practice it. [The Win-Win™] Internship was perfect because it gave me a way to transition from a management background into the energy efficiency field.”

About the program she says, “This is an excellent opportunity for all those who want to learn more about energy efficiency and find a job in this field. You may already know about it from a particular perspective, but the internship explores it from various levels such as policy, financing, marketing, sales, and building science. The course attracts people from different backgrounds and the experience is quite unique and inspiring.”

After completing her Win-Win Campaign™ program, Amrit worked for Envirolution™ for 10 months as an Education Director. She honed her management and teaching skills by training students at Solar One, CEC, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration, and Strive.  She also worked on curriculum development and applying for NYSERDA PONS, among other activities.

As an architect with her Masters degree, BPI Building Analyst and LEED AP certifications, and other valuable skills, Amrit was ready for a job in the NYC building efficiency scene.  She completed her work at Envirolution™ and through the channels that her work provided, Amrit found a job as an Energy Auditor at AEA (the Association for Energy Affordability) in the Bronx.  She has been working there since November 2010. After completing the Win-Win Campaign™ program, Amrit found great satisfaction with her new career. She reports, “It is very rewarding when you are doing what you are really passionate about. The work offers a good balance between work and my personal life. Also, there are tremendous opportunities offered to learn and grow as an energy efficiency professional.”

“When I first learned about Envirolution™, I had contacted an organization that places volunteers. I was just looking to get involved somewhere. When they asked me what I wanted to do, they gave me a few options, and I thought Envirolution™ sounded interesting. So I came in a few hours each week to work with David Gibson on paring down Envirolution’s™ curriculum for Dilworth Middle School’s students.

About the implementation of Envirolution’s™ Project ReCharge™ curriculum at Dilworth in the spring of 2011, Bryce says, “The kids, when actually given the chance to solve problems, just ran with it. Until recently in education, it’s been rare to give a problem to a kid and to tell them to go solve it without help.”

“The biggest positive [of Project ReCharge™], I think, is the fact that the students had to go out and do something that involved solving real world problems. And on their own they ended up wanting to help their family, or the school, or their friends without a whole lot of prodding from [Dilworth staff]. “The staff realizes that the students are able to tackle these problems. The students need to know that problem solving, like other skills, requires practice.”

Envirolution’s™ Project ReCharge™ program recognizes the benefit and importance of hands on experience and practice, and is working to give students the chance to begin developing critical life skills.

“I would think that if these project based learning and STEM programs continue throughout high school, these students will be much stronger problem solvers by the time they reach college.”

“I think the conclusions that were reached and the problems they were solving just naturally lent themselves to action. They wanted to help once they understood the problem. These are real problems with real solutions.”

“I became acquainted with Envirolution™ through its work with building energy efficiency programs. We at Energy Masters are building performance professionals and appreciate Envirolution’s™ support of our mission to make homes more comfortable, durable, safe, and healthy while reducing energy consumption. Envirolution’s™ strategy is based on the premise that energy conservation is the first, best step to saving the planet. Because of its competent and creative staff, Envirolution™ has become a leader in energy efficiency education and advocacy.”