Graduate Program in Public Policy Alumni Profiles
Clare Magee
Summer 2013 Archer Fellow
Internship: American Electric Power
Education
The University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs
M.P.Aff.; May 2014
University of Puget Sound, WA
B.A. Poltical Science and Government; May 2006
Career
Principal at Wood Mackenzie
Summer 2013 Archer Fellow
Internship: American Electric Power
Education
The University of Texas at Austin LBJ School of Public Affairs
M.P.Aff.; May 2014
University of Puget Sound, WA
B.A. Poltical Science and Government; May 2006
Career
Principal at Wood Mackenzie
“After I finished grad school at The University of Texas at Austin, I joined the D.C. board of the Young Professionals in Energy. The Archer Center was so supportive of our events. I'm deeply impressed by how committed the Archer Center is to the continued success of its alumni after the official program concludes."
Q & A with Clare
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
Woodmac, a global leader in oil & gas research and analytics, acquired Greentech Media Research -- the equivalent best-in-class research firm in the renewables and distributed energy resources space. I'm on point to build the joint consulting practice. It's an incredible opportunity to break through the politicization of the energy sector, and to tackle tough problems with technical solutions, not ideology.
What has been your general career path?
My career centers on the evolving definition of a reliable, sustainable, affordable grid. I've worked in building efficiency, utility strategy, with startups in an energy tech incubator, in product design for a retail electricity provider, and now I work for two energy research firms (Woodmac and GTM). But no matter what I'm doing in the space, policy is an ever-present consideration. Sometimes it presents an opportunity; sometimes it's a risk.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
Of my three foremost mentors in the energy sector, two of them were introduced to me during my time as an Archer Fellow. They have been invaluable toward my professional development.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I value the flexibility the Graduate Program in Public Policy afforded me. On any given day, I was able to allocate time as I saw fit between my internship, Archer Center academics, and career-related extracurriculars in the city.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
When I left D.C. to attend grad school after four and a half years there, I wasn't sure I was cut out for the city. I was intimidated by the level of education and influence that surrounded me. I got to start over with the Graduate Program in Public Policy: I had a new professional focus and I owned a new area of subject matter expertise. The most important thing I learned is how accommodating D.C. is with respect to career change. The city will let you redefine yourself.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
After I finished grad school at The University of Texas at Austin, I joined the D.C. board of the Young Professionals in Energy. The Archer Center was so supportive of our events. I'm deeply impressed by how committed the Archer Center is to the continued success of its alumni after the official program concludes.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
I worked for American Electric Power during my time as an Archer Fellow. They were unbelievably generous when it came to including me in high-level meetings and events. At one point in the summer they flew me to headquarters for a C-level meeting, and I just remember wondering "how did I even get here??"
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Apply! D.C. is such a phenomenal city in which to cut one's teeth. It will motivate you to be the most professional, polished version of yourself. And in a city where networks are everything, the Archer Center will give you a critical head-start.
Please give us a snapshot of your current position.
Woodmac, a global leader in oil & gas research and analytics, acquired Greentech Media Research -- the equivalent best-in-class research firm in the renewables and distributed energy resources space. I'm on point to build the joint consulting practice. It's an incredible opportunity to break through the politicization of the energy sector, and to tackle tough problems with technical solutions, not ideology.
What has been your general career path?
My career centers on the evolving definition of a reliable, sustainable, affordable grid. I've worked in building efficiency, utility strategy, with startups in an energy tech incubator, in product design for a retail electricity provider, and now I work for two energy research firms (Woodmac and GTM). But no matter what I'm doing in the space, policy is an ever-present consideration. Sometimes it presents an opportunity; sometimes it's a risk.
How has being an Archer Fellow influenced your professional path and goals?
Of my three foremost mentors in the energy sector, two of them were introduced to me during my time as an Archer Fellow. They have been invaluable toward my professional development.
What do you value the most about your experience as an Archer Fellow?
I value the flexibility the Graduate Program in Public Policy afforded me. On any given day, I was able to allocate time as I saw fit between my internship, Archer Center academics, and career-related extracurriculars in the city.
What was the most important thing you learned as an Archer Fellow?
When I left D.C. to attend grad school after four and a half years there, I wasn't sure I was cut out for the city. I was intimidated by the level of education and influence that surrounded me. I got to start over with the Graduate Program in Public Policy: I had a new professional focus and I owned a new area of subject matter expertise. The most important thing I learned is how accommodating D.C. is with respect to career change. The city will let you redefine yourself.
What do you value the most about being an Archer Alumna?
After I finished grad school at The University of Texas at Austin, I joined the D.C. board of the Young Professionals in Energy. The Archer Center was so supportive of our events. I'm deeply impressed by how committed the Archer Center is to the continued success of its alumni after the official program concludes.
What is your favorite memory from the program?
I worked for American Electric Power during my time as an Archer Fellow. They were unbelievably generous when it came to including me in high-level meetings and events. At one point in the summer they flew me to headquarters for a C-level meeting, and I just remember wondering "how did I even get here??"
Do you have advice for prospective students?
Apply! D.C. is such a phenomenal city in which to cut one's teeth. It will motivate you to be the most professional, polished version of yourself. And in a city where networks are everything, the Archer Center will give you a critical head-start.
