Energy CyberLearn Internship

The Strategic Partnership for Industrial Resurgence (SPIR) kicked off its second year of the successful Lunch and Learn program with the Energy CyberLearn Internship information session. Held on October 16th in Light Engineering, a cohort of 28 undergraduate students from computer science, political science, applied math & statistics, electrical and computer engineering, and the University Honors Programs gathered to learn about the crucial workforce gaps facing the utility industry.

Led by Betsy Soehren Jones, Managing Director, West Monroe Partners and Executive Director, Critical Infrastructure Security Consortium, students were presented with an innovative internship opportunity and immersive learning experience. As utilities, energy developers, and OEMs work towards increased electrification, their power grid, generation sources, communications, and finances are susceptible to catastrophic cyber attacks.

Starting November, interested students will join a four-week program that teaches the energy landscape, profiles the industry’s vulnerabilities, and previews the Summer 2025 internship at partnering organizations. The cohort will have both in-person and virtual sessions led by subject matter experts from R&D, industry, academia, and government. The program is also supported by the Office of Economic Development’s units, including Center for Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), Advanced Energy Research & Technology Center (AERTC), and Center for Integrated Electric Energy Systems (CIEES). Content for the program has been created by Idaho National Laboratory and the internship will provide a pipeline of experts fully prepared to safeguard our power resources.

 "Students can't aspire to what they can't envision, and often, they aren't aware of the opportunities available to them. The Stony Brook program was created to bring the dynamic world of energy directly to students. We are grateful to the University for their innovation and their remarkable ability to launch this program in such a short time. The opportunities are here...now let's seize them!"  

-Betsy Soehren Jones, Volunteer Executive Director, Critical Infrastructure Security Consortium