I am a recent graduate from The George Washington University, where I majored in Economics and International Affairs. During my undergraduate economics studies, I developed an interest in the connections between economics and energy policy. This fall I will be attending University College London (UCL) to pursue a Masters in Economics and Policy of Energy and the Environment.

I was drawn to APPRISE’s Summer Research Assistant position because I had been an undergraduate research assistant and wanted an opportunity to gain professional experience in the energy policy sphere. My summer working as a Research Assistant at APPRISE has been an educational and enriching professional experience.

Working at APPRISE has given me a deeper understanding of policy evaluation and survey outreach. I learned that there are many steps that must be taken before a survey can go public, from writing the survey code to testing the survey for errors and clarity. I was able to assist in testing a few surveys during my time at APPRISE. Another aspect of survey outreach I learned about is understanding the success rate of different outreach methods. Some surveys are best conducted over the phone, and sometimes mailing letters or sending emails about the survey can increase exposure. I remember learning about surveys in statistics classes throughout high school and college, and it was great to observe the professional process of survey creation, testing, and outreach.

I had the opportunity to work on several policy evaluation projects on behalf of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). The Industrial Facilities Project involves surveying businesses in New York state on their energy and equipment usage, and the Multifamily Building Project surveys New York state residential building managers on their buildings’ energy efficiency. My main task on these projects involved reaching out to those who are eligible to participate in NYSERDA’s programs. This experience has given me newfound confidence in research-related outreach and strengthened my professional interpersonal skills. I have also enjoyed learning more about the current energy policy landscape in New York State.

The most important takeaway from my experience as a Research Assistant has been understanding the time and hard work that goes into conducting survey research. It takes persistence and a positive attitude to develop relationships with the people you contact. Ultimately, these projects will have an impact on the future of energy programs and policies, and I am proud to have made even a small contribution to the process.

Written by: Miah Vesotsky, Summer 2023 Research Assistant, The George Washington University Class of 2023