DOE Scholars Program

The DOE Scholars Program introduces students or recent college graduates to DOE’s mission and operations. As a participant in the DOE Scholars Program, you will earn a competitive edge by familiarizing yourself with DOE functions while showcasing your education, talent and skills.

Research Profile – Alexis Vrotsos

Alexis Vrotsos can say with confidence that she grew more during her 10 weeks with the DOE Scholars Program than any time she spent in a traditional classroom. Participating with the Environmental Management branch of the Office of Management Systems and Analysis, she collaborated with senior staff to conduct interviews aimed at collecting and analyzing the target metric data necessary to draft the FY2013 Environmental Management Senior Performance Agreement document. “I am grateful that I had the opportunity to join a seasoned group that was open and receptive to the ideas of a student, and will be mindful to follow suit as my career evolves,” she said. Currently representing the DOE as an Energy Ambassador on her campus at Tulane University and throughout the southern U.S., Alexis is working toward earning master’s degrees in both business administration and energy management.

Research Profile – Josef Miler

When Josef Miler heard from a graduate school friend at Stanford University there was a way for him to conduct research for the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) through the DOE Scholars Program, he was all in. His team at ARPA-E is trying to develop novel high-energy magnets at scales relevant for mass production of wind turbines and electric motor vehicles. Through his participation, Josef has learned a great deal, some of which has surprised him. “I had no idea just how clean the inside of a hard disk drive is,” he said. “It’s arguably the cleanest environment known to man, second only to space.” In addition to new discoveries, he has been able to research alongside some of the nation’s strongest technical experts and with his peers. “Working with the other ORISE scholars at ARPA-E was an invaluable experience for me,” he said. “Each of them had an incredible wealth of experience to share, as well as a passion for advancing energy technology. It has been truly exceptional and incredibly rewarding.”

Research Profile – Rachel Blazucki

As an undergraduate student studying English at the University of Maryland, Rachel Blazucki had no clear direction for her career after graduation. During her senior year, she was selected for the DOE Scholars Program and gained a wealth of human resources and communications experience in about a year and a half of participation. Her project focused on recruitment and outreach for DOE, specifically in the realm of social media. From her participation with the DOE Scholars Program, Rachel was brought on as a full-time new media specialist at DOE. “This is a chance to show a future employer what you can do, so even though it’s ‘just’ an internship, it could lead to bigger and better career options down the road,” she said.

Research Profile – Josh Van Buren

Josh Van Buren joined the DOE Scholars Program shortly after receiving his bachelor’s degree in math and computer science from the University of South Carolina at Aiken. For three years, Josh helped the Savannah River Nuclear Site (SRNS) media group implement a content management system. Through the program, he learned how to operate several technologies that were new to him and how the professional world of computer science works. “Most people don’t realize that computer science is involved in just about everything,” he said. Following the end of his appointment, Josh was hired on at SRNS and is working toward advancing in his field with the hopes of gaining a management position.