Employers Who Make A Difference-ConEdison Solutions

WOMAN ENGINEER:
What led you to a career in engineering?

AMY NEMETH:
 I grew up in a household where all interests were encouraged and I’ve always been interested in how to do mechanical-type things and how things work ed. There were a lot of math and science topics discussed in my family because my father is a civil engineer and farmer and my mother is a nurse. As I went through school, I realized I had an ability in math and science and was encouraged by my teachers and family so it just seemed natural that my interests evolved into a degree and career in engineering.

WOMAN ENGINEER:
What brought you to ConEdison Solutions?

AMY NEMETH:
I was very interested in working for ConEdison Solutions because I’m very intrigued by engineering from the energy perspective, and how we, as a society, benefit from making smart choices about how we design and operate engineered systems. At ConEdison Solutions, we give our clients the ability to use their energy savings as a revenue stream to help fund facility improvements that makes their facilities more sustainable and more cost-effective with up-to-date equipment.

WOMAN ENGINEER:
What diversity and inclusion initiatives does ConEdison Solutions have in place to hire and promote women engineers?

AMY NEMETH:
We utilize a number of online groups formed to advance the careers and interests of female engineers. We have been able to attract a number of female engineers to our ranks. We also offer our employees tuition reimbursement for continuing education. You need to get training new technologies. We also sponsor a learning center for leadership training.

WOMAN ENGINEER:
How does ConEdison Solutions interact with professional organizations that foster diversity and inclusion?

AMY NEMETH:
We attend a number of college job fairs each year and post internship opportunities at a number of schools in the area. We are linked to numerous associations and groups such as Society of Women Engineers (SWE) and our parent company has recruited directly from the organization. Additionally, we are linked through our parent company to Non Traditional Employment For Women (NEW) through our parent company

We belong as members to many Linked In Forums that serve and advance the career interests of women in engineering (e.g. Women in Engineering, Women in Science, Engineering and Technology, Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology We also belong to online groups such as National Society of Black Engineers, Association of Black Engineers, Society of Hispanic Engineers. and African Americans in Technology.
Our recruiters also belong to GLBT on line groups such as GLBT Professionals, Gay and Lesbian Business Leaders, Pride Technology Networking, and National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists.

WOMAN ENGINEER:
Does ConEdison Solutions sponsor employee resource groups to bring together women engineers to share their collective experiences?

AMY NEMETH:
We are a small organization, so there really isn’t enough critical mass within ConEdison Solutions, however, there have been female  engineer and female professional forums held at our parent company’s  headquarters in New York City in the past. We encourage our female professionals to take advantage of these activities. Given that our parent company is exclusively a New York-based operation, our employees who are employed in other states may not always be able to attend in person but we endeavor to accommodate broad participation. When I first started working in the field of engineering, there were some men who reacted negatively to women engineers, but I don’t see that negativity as much anymore. Women engineers excel in all careers 
in a male-dominated field.

WOMAN ENGINEER:
Does the company attend diversity job fairs and target specific colleges through on-campus career fairs?

AMY NEMETH:
We generally recruit interns at local colleges and are currently involved in this activity for the summer of 2012. We are engaging an organization called INROADS, which facilitates the recruiting of minority interns. As we have limited intern opportunities this year 2012 we are discussing with INROADS the possibility of working with the organization in 2013. We have not targeted specific colleges other than those close to our home office—Pace University for example has a very diverse student population.
I advise jobseekers to look around and see what jobs are available.  Cast your net very wide in the beginning of your job search to consider all possibilities. Ask interviewers questions about the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, such as how many women engineers are on staff. Complete internships or co-op experiences and be well rounded. We look for academic performance, but we also want employees with demonstrated leadership skills and who can interface with clients.

WOMAN ENGINEER:
How can our readers post their resumes online for career opportunities at ConEdison Solutions?

AMY NEMETH:
Applicants can review our job opportunities at http:// www.conedisonsolutions.com/Home.aspx.