Welcoming Nexamp’s Fourth Cohort of City Colleges of Chicago STEM Fellows

At Nexamp, we know the future depends on more than building infrastructure—it depends on building the workforce that will design, operate, and advance it. As demand for electricity continues to grow, so does the need for talented people across engineering, technology, operations, construction, and business.

Since launching in 2024, the fellowship has grown from a pilot program into a meaningful pathway for students to explore careers in the renewable energy industry. What began with a single college has since expanded across the full City Colleges of Chicago network, creating new opportunities for students to gain experience, build professional confidence, and better understand where they can fit into the clean energy transition.

That mission matters because the clean energy economy is growing quickly, and so is the need for a strong, skilled workforce. While many people associate clean energy careers with installation and fieldwork, the industry also relies on a wide range of professional roles that help bring projects from concept to completion. The City Colleges of Chicago STEM Fellowship helps make those pathways more visible and more accessible.

Throughout the program, fellows join Nexamp as part-time employees while continuing their academic studies. They gain hands-on experience across teams that support the development, construction, and operation of clean energy projects. Fellows contribute to meaningful work while learning how different parts of the business come together to move projects forward.

That experience is designed to be both practical and exploratory. Fellows collaborate with professionals across the company, build exposure to real-world projects, and develop a stronger understanding of how clean energy companies operate. In doing so, they gain insight into the wide range of career opportunities available in the industry—from project development and operations to policy, legal, and other business functions that are essential to scaling renewable energy.

The fellowship also includes opportunities beyond day-to-day project work. Fellows connect with leaders from across Nexamp, participate in solar site visits, and take part in professional development experiences that deepen their understanding of the industry and its future. These moments help turn the fellowship into more than a short-term work experience; they make it a bridge between education and a long-term career.

The growth of the program reflects both its value and the demand for opportunities like it. As the fellowship has expanded, it has attracted strong interest from students across the City Colleges of Chicago system, underscoring the importance of creating visible, supportive entry points into the clean energy workforce. For many fellows, the program offers an introduction not only to Nexamp as a company but also to an entire industry they may not have previously seen as accessible.

For Nexamp, the fellowship is part of a broader effort to invest in the future of clean energy in a way that also benefits local communities. Since the program’s launch, it has reflected a commitment to creating opportunities for underserved and underrepresented populations to gain exposure to the many career paths available in renewable energy. It also builds on Nexamp’s broader commitment to job creation and local impact in Chicago and across Illinois.

As Marion Jones, Vice President of Community Engagement and Workforce Development at Nexamp, said at the launch of the program, "As leaders in the energy transition, we feel a responsibility to ensure that the opportunities created are available equally to all. Our company is built on the mission of making clean energy simple and accessible, and that extends right through to the jobs created. Giving people with an interest in this space a chance to gain the skills necessary for success will benefit the industry as a whole, and we are grateful to City Colleges of Chicago for collaborating with us."

That perspective continues to define the fellowship today. By connecting students with meaningful experience, professional development, mentorship, and exposure to real clean energy work, the program helps strengthen the talent pipeline while supporting a more inclusive energy transition.

At its core, the City Colleges of Chicago STEM Fellowship reflects what matters most to Nexamp: creating opportunities, supporting communities, and helping prepare the next generation of clean energy leaders. We’re excited to continue this work, see the impact this year’s cohort will make, and further expand the program for future cohorts.