Putting Energy Projects Into Motion
Jane Roalkvam
Energy Management Engineer, Puget Sound Energy
As an energy management engineer, Jane Roalkvam leverages her energy science and technology background to help commercial customers understand their facilities' energy usage and identify opportunities for improved efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
After earning her Master of Science in Civil Engineering: Energy Infrastructure degree from the University of Washington, Roalkvam is more confident than ever in her ability to help customers make better decisions about energy solutions.
“Energy infrastructure was a way that I could bridge my knowledge of energy science with a deeper understanding of the whole system and the actuality of putting projects into motion, especially in the renewable energy sector,” she says.
Here, Jane shares how this UW master’s program helped her balance learning with full-time work, and why she’s optimistic about the future of renewable energy infrastructure.
Tell us a little about your current work and career path.
Prior to my current role, I worked as an energy analyst at an energy efficiency rebate company, where I assisted industrial energy users with installing high-efficiency equipment to reduce their electricity costs. While I found this work rewarding, I knew I wanted to deepen my technical expertise and expand my impact in the energy sector.
Pursuing my Master of Science in Civil Engineering: Energy Infrastructure degree at the University of Washington gave me the confidence to apply my undergraduate knowledge to real-life scenarios and contribute to the real changes that are happening in our energy infrastructure. Upon graduating, I was hired by Puget Sound Energy as an energy management engineer.
In my current role, I support Puget Sound Energy's efficiency goals while helping commercial customers by connecting them with efficiency programs that can help them reduce their energy use and subsequent bills. I also assist customers in identifying eligible efficiency upgrades and available incentives for their projects.
Why was this online UW master’s degree right for you at this stage in your life and career?
I am a full-time worker, so I needed a program that could work with my 9-to-5 schedule. Having access to specialized knowledge without needing to travel was a really big opportunity for me.
I was able to maintain my full-time position and complete this degree program within two years. The fact that it was all online made it extremely accessible for me.
How did you fit online learning into your day-to-day life and work?
I found that the workflow of an asynchronous format was extremely conducive to my lifestyle. You know about all the quizzes and homework far in advance, so I knew how to plan and what to expect.
The online discussion boards were a huge part of my learning experience. The peer-to-peer learning was surprisingly good — I didn’t realize discussions were going to be so interactive. You’re getting to know people over the course of a quarter, and it was nice to establish relationships with them through coursework.
How did your instructors share their knowledge and support your learning experience?
The fact that the instructors were already part of the industry, and a lot of them locally, was a huge draw to the program. They would go out of their way to make sure I understood the coursework, and they all bring a lot of knowledge about the hurdles you’d face in large projects — how to mitigate problems and solve them in real time.
Now I drive around Seattle or even in the mountains, and I see things that my instructors have personally worked on. It’s really cool to be in your home state and see areas where people you’ve learned from have helped it grow.
How are you using the knowledge and skills you learned in this UW degree program in your everyday work?
I am definitely a lot more confident in my job. Now I’m able to understand the full scope of our customers’ energy usage and where they can conserve that energy alongside installing efficient equipment.
I have a better understanding of a whole-facility approach, especially in new construction, and much more knowledge about the facilities I work with and how infrastructure decisions can cause them to lose energy in their systems.
A big takeaway from my program is that it matters how you build. I work closely with customers who are building highly energy-intensive facilities that require a huge amount of power. My courses helped me understand the major decisions that should be allotted a little bit more time.
What kinds of personal or professional goals did earning your UW master’s degree program help you accomplish?
The UW program opened up new career opportunities across the energy industry. Most significantly, it prepared me for my current position at Puget Sound Energy, which represents exactly the type of professional growth I was seeking when I decided to pursue graduate education.
Beyond career advancement, the program instilled in me the technical confidence and analytical skills needed to tackle complex energy challenges. I now feel equipped to contribute to larger initiatives around renewable energy integration and grid modernization.
What takeaways or observations would you share with anyone considering the UW Master of Science in Civil Engineering: Energy Infrastructure degree program?
This program gives you the ability to continue your current line of work while taking courses that expand your knowledge in ways you may not have thought possible. I gained insight into sectors I didn’t previously have, and this degree program helped me see how intertwined they all are.
I’m a huge advocate for continued learning. I learn at work every day, and my experience in this program has given me a lot of confidence in my work and what I can do. I’m really excited to keep employing what I’ve learned and continue to learn more as I grow in my industry.
Thanks to Jane for sharing her experience in our program! To learn more about applying to the UW Master of Science in Civil Engineering: Energy Infrastructure, sign up for an info session, find answers to frequently asked questions, or visit our Admissions page.
This Q&A has been edited and condensed for clarity. Interview by Dave Carulli and Clara Garriga Dominguez; editing contributions by Liliana Mar.