During my undergrad and masters, I studied theoretical math and statistics, and did a few summer internships in software engineering and quant trading. When searching for a full-time role, I applied to roles listed in my university’s job database across various industries that involved thinking quantitatively about data-adjacent problems. I had never heard of the wholesale electricity markets before, but I was intrigued by the complexity of the electricity grid and the potential datasets that go into understanding its dynamics (in particular, I’ve always been a big fan of geographic data and maps). The interview process left a lasting impression on me: I enjoyed getting a taste of the problems I could be working on, felt the team’s enthusiasm for their work, and discovered many aspects of the company culture that resonated with me.