My name is Dado Aw, and I am a rising junior at the University of Pennsylvania, where I major in Sociology with a concentration in Applied Research & Data Analytics and minor in Legal Studies. I was drawn to APPRISE’s Summer Research Assistant Program because it combines research, policy, and community impact in a way that aligns with my interests. While I had previous research experience, energy efficiency was a completely new field for me, and I was excited to learn about a topic that directly impacts communities surrounding me.

This summer, I worked on several program evaluations, including Atlantic City Electric’s Home Weatherization Program and Direct Install Program, as well as New Jersey Natural Gas’ Whole Home Energy Assessment Program and Home Weatherization Program. My work involved conducting participant surveys, documenting detailed qualitative findings, coding responses, and helping evaluate participants’ experiences with each program. Throughout the summer, I have learned that every conversation contributes to a much bigger picture. Each conversation has led to an overall evaluation to ensure utility companies are providing what they promised and in an efficient manner. Being able to have the opportunity to let participants share their valuable feedback has allowed me to identify what is working well within utilities energy efficiency programs and areas of improvement.

One of my biggest takeaways from this internship was learning how important patience and active listening are. Every participant had a different experience, and I learned how to make each phone call feel like a genuine conversation rather than simply reading through a survey. Taking the time to listen carefully not only made participants more comfortable, but it also allowed me to collect stronger qualitative data and better understand their experiences.

As I became more comfortable in my role, I also learned to pay close attention to patterns across interviews. Many times, I noticed multiple participants mentioning the same issue, such as confusion about a program or not receiving a measure they expected. Those experiences taught me that qualitative research is just as much about recognizing trends as it is about documenting individual responses. I also developed stronger organizational skills by learning how to keep detailed notes and carefully track each case throughout the evaluation process.

One of my favorite parts of the internship was learning about the energy efficiency field. Before this summer, I was not very familiar with how utility companies approached energy efficiency or the role they play in helping customers reduce their energy use. Working with Atlantic City Electric and New Jersey Natural Gas gave me a completely different perspective. I learned about the variety of programs they offer, from weatherization services to home energy assessments and direct installation programs, and how each one is designed to improve energy efficiency while making homes more comfortable and affordable to live in. I also gained a better understanding of the policies behind these programs, including who qualifies and why certain services are prioritized. One of the most interesting parts of the experience was collecting participant feedback and realizing that every survey contributes to improving these programs. Whether participants shared positive experiences or pointed out areas that needed improvement, their feedback helped identify ways the programs could better serve future customers. Knowing that the research I was contributing to could help strengthen programs that support families, especially low-income households, made the work feel both meaningful and rewarding.

Beyond the work itself, I have really enjoyed the environment at APPRISE. Everyone here has been willing to answer all my questions and share advice that helps them work more efficiently. Being able to learn from research assistants and policy analysts has paved the way during my time here and given me the confidence to build upon my research skills. I am incredibly grateful for everything I learned this summer, and I look forward to carrying these experiences with me as I continue pursuing a career in research and public policy.

Written by: Dado Aw, Summer 2026 Research Assistant, University of Pennsylvania Class of 2028