Data science alums promote sustainability and energy efficiency at Evergreen Economics

Alex Weirth BS'23, MS'24 has joined the ranks of fellow Willamette alumni at Evergreen Economics where he's applying his data science expertise to help combat climate change. As an analyst with the consulting firm, Weirth leverages his Master's in Data Science (MSDS) skills to evaluate energy efficiency programs and renewable energy initiatives.

"I'm working on a team at Evergreen evaluating energy efficiency programs developed and implemented by utilities to evaluate their effectiveness and impact," said Weirth. "It's a field I am truly thrilled to be in."

Evergreen Economics uses innovative data analysis techniques to conduct energy program evaluations, economic impact analyses, statistical modeling, and survey research for residential, commercial, and industrial sectors.

Weirth's undergraduate studies in Willamette's Environmental Science program heavily influenced his passion for his work. "Those classes definitely got me interested in the field and gave me a general career direction," he says. Taking classes from and working with Assistant Professor of Statistics and Data Science Heather Kitada Smalley led him to graduate school to pursue his career goals. "After investigating the job market as an undergraduate, I realized that after a year and a half of graduate school, I'd be a much better candidate," he says.

During a long job-hunting process, Weirth received support from Executive Director of Career Initiatives Anne Lapour and graduate career advisor Ruthie Ditzler. Lapour helped Weirth put together his first resumes and practice for interviews. "Alex has made terrific use of Career Development and has taken great initiative in his internship and job searches. Given Alex's background in data science and environmental science, I was delighted to see him accept this role at Evergreen."

Evergreen values what Willamette MSDS graduates bring to the table.

Two other Willamette alums working at Evergreen agree that getting their MSDS at Willamette significantly boosted their career. After a career in medical and pharmaceutical sales, Isaac Johnson MS'23, a senior analyst at Evergreen, made a career pivot at age 50 by enrolling in the MSDS program. "Willamette's program gave me the technical skills and confidence I needed," he said, citing his newfound expertise in programming languages like R, SQL, and Python as well as machine learning techniques.

Johnson values using these skills to promote social good. "I'm especially passionate about Evergreen's commitment to environmental impact and the diversity projects we handle," he says.

Charles Hanks MS'23, a senior analyst, also heralds his educational experience at Willamette. "I rely on the lessons from the MSDS program every single day at Evergreen," he says and notes that the program's emphasis on collaborative work has been invaluable. "I hope to take full advantage of this blend of technical knowledge and communication skills to support decision-makers as we build a more sustainable energy system," says Hanks.

Weirth looks forward to growing in his position at Evergreen, building his career in data science, and impacting the energy field. "You can feel proud of the work you do here at Evergreen," Weirth says. "It's important to evaluate how these programs perform relative to their initial goals: They are important goals - using energy correctly and promoting a more sustainable future."