Her Story
About Jayati
I hold a degree in building performance, which is basically running energy modeling and carbon analysis of buildings so that we can reduce energy consumption. I've been working in the industry for more than years now. Currently, I'm with a company called Clearbrook Energy Solutions, where we are consultants who take models from architects and engineers and help them reduce energy through strategies like lighting and HVAC. I also serve as the vice president for a non-profit organization called IBPSA USA, the US affiliate of IBPSA which is one of the most prominent organization for building simulation. My journey started with a bachelor's degree in architecture back in India, which I pursued because I wanted to go into a multidisciplinary field that included design, engineering, history, and behavioral psychology. During my architecture studies, I felt driven to make a social impact, which led me to become passionate about climate change. Buildings actually contribute 40% to carbon and energy, and that's what drove me towards running energy analysis and doing something so that we can just make buildings like trees. I've been on the board of directors for IBPSA USA since I graduated, contributing to the strategic vision to spread awareness about building performance. I served as secretary for 2 years before stepping into the role of vice president in February this year, where I'm chairing and being a member of various committees.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jayati
01What do you attribute your success to?
Resilience, sincerity and persistence, and of course, the support from my family. It all looks good and happy from outside, but I was recently affected by the layoffs that happened because of governmental funding. I was working for a national lab, PNNL, and the funding was uncertain for our projects, so the lab had to lay off a good bunch of the entire group. I'm a foreign national, so I'm on a work visa, and I just had 60 days to find another job or figure out a way to figure out what I need to do next. It was a crazy time, but I'm now in my new job. It was a stressful time, and at that point, I realized how important the support that you get from people is, because their encouragement, their motivation, and the patience that you have to keep, that hope of looking forward and not looking backward, you know, ranting about things. That helped me a lot, like, just being positive.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Focus on the important things and learn to say no to a lot of the other things that matter but slightly less.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to women is take space. Don't be scared, because I have seen so many women being shy and not being themselves, not speaking out their mind when they are so smart and intelligent. So, you know, feel free to take as much space in the room as you want you and put your opinions on the table confidently.
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