Students attending the 4-H National Conference share their perspectives with DOE leaders.
April 15, 2025
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On April 15, fourteen high school students from across the U.S. were greeted by Department of Energy (DOE) leadership and invited to share their perspectives on how DOE can appeal to the future energy workforce.
The students were attendees of the National 4-H Conference, an annual meeting hosted and sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)'s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The conference aims to develop the next generation of leaders to solve societal problems posed by federal government agencies.
DOE, through DOE STEM in coordination with the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, supported the 4-H Conference by inviting students to share their perspectives with DOE leaders. The fourteen students represented twelve different U.S. states: Alabama, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Prior to the conference, a Challenge Question was posed by DOE to the 4-H students:
"The energy sector needs to increase its workforce in many different disciplines, and you are the future energy workforce. Ideally, how would you most effectively create pathways for students to transition into good-paying energy jobs, such as in bioenergy and nuclear energy?"
Students researched the issue, worked with their peers to develop a 45-minute briefing, and formally presented their recommendations in person at DOE HQ. During the presentation, students shared youth perceptions of the energy sector, suggested methods to increase students’ exposure to the energy workforce and educational opportunities, and recommended ways to appeal to younger generations.
The event was co-hosted by the Office of Nuclear Energy and the Bioenergy Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Other offices supporting the effort included the Office of the Secretary, Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Office of State and Community Energy Programs, and the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs.
Later the same day, DOE representatives engaged with the students at the agency-wide career fair.
DOE STEM is a collaborative effort across the DOE to share, improve, and increase access to DOE's mission-specific science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and workforce development resources for students, educators, professionals, and skilled workers. DOE is committed to preparing the next generation of STEM professionals and skilled workers needed to deliver on critical DOE mission goals.
Learn More About the DOE Leadership Supporting This Event
Eric Mahroum
Director of the Office of State and Community Energy Programs
Dr. Valerie Sarisky-Reed
Director of the Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Dr. Michael Goff
Acting Assistant Secretary for the Office of Nuclear Energy