An SEI Alum Tells Her Story - Rhianna Bain

Rhianna Bain recently filled us in on how she got involved in SEI's training:

After graduating college, I started a sales career quickly climbing the corporate ladder and enjoying all the benefits that came along with it. With all the opportunity in the world right in front of me, I just wasn’t happy. When I asked myself where I wanted to be in five years, all I knew is that it wasn’t in my current role.

 On a whim, I accepted a job 200 miles away for a real estate development firm. Although the real estate market crashed shortly thereafter, I was introduced to something that would change my life forever. While working at the real estate firm, I was able to obtain by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional certification. It was in this certification program I was introduced to the topic that would change by life course—renewable energy. When I read about solar energy something resonated inside me. I knew this is what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. My next step, finding a position in the solar industry.

I completed a couple of introductory solar energy courses but a colleague said if I really wanted to develop my solar knowledge to look into taking a course at Solar Energy International. So I enrolled in the PVOL101: Solar Design and Installation course. The rest is history. After completing PVOL101 I was able to land a job in the solar industry working for a global PV manufacturer and wholesale distributor as an Inside Sales Representative. To further develop my solar skills I have since completed PVOL202: Advanced PV System Design and the NEC and as well as SEI’s free RE100: Introduction to Renewable Energy course. I look forward to being able to take one of SEI’s hands-on courses someday!

In the words of a very wise man, Mr. Steve Jobs, “have the courage to follow your heart and intuition, they somehow already know what you truly want to become.”