clean-energy sounds cool, but what now?

Question:

Do you know where I could find a list of investment firms that specialize in clean energy? I'm graduating soon, and I need a job ASAP.

Answer:

Hi Kestulis!  It's really great to hear from you. Take a look at attached list of investment firms (w/contacts) and this link to renewable energy companies: http://www.cleanedge.com/CEindex.php

Contact them -- all of them -- w/a personalized, warm email stating why you are good for them. Process is annoying, but ...

J

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And how the F&*$ do I do this? (career series)

Question:

Hey Josh,

I wanted to thank you again for yesterday's presentation - it really
made an impact on my career outlook and you've motivated me to look
beyond the traditional corporate path. I've started looking around
through the websites you mentioned, and I plan on sending out a
request for opportunities as you suggested. I'd like to get your
advice on how to go about this - besides mentioning my studies at
Cornell and my interest in this kind of work, what other information
do you think would most effectively capture peoples' attention without
making the email too lengthy? Should each email be tailored to the
organization (besides the contact name) like in a cover letter? Would
you suggest attaching my resume to the initial email? I want to make
sure it's just right before sending them out, so any advice you might
have would really help.

Answer:

It was awesome being back at CU. Take a look at the email that I
actually sent below. I'm going to be on campus until Nov. 17. Will
you email me again in a week or so when I know my schedule better?
I'd be more than happy to sit down and talk
to you in greater depth. Thanks!

Hi Mr. Evans --

I came across your contact in carbon finance leadership materials
through my work with the UN. I recently led the development of a
landmark environmental initiative at Citigroup, and I am
extraordinarily interested in using my energy and creativity to help
advance your Climate Change Practice.

I'm currently a third-year law student at the University of Michigan.
As a Fulbright Scholar prior to law school, I worked to expand
educational access for young people in Nigeria. I'm presently
advising the African Venture Capital Association on key legal and
regulatory issues related to the development of renewable energy
projects and the sale of carbon credits.

I'm attaching my resume and would be happy to send anything else you
may find useful in evaluating my candidacy for an associate position.

All the best,

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private equity in Africa? (career series)

Question: WIll you send me the list/link of all of the organizations
you mentioned were involved in development/investment projects in
Africa? As mentioned, I am very interested in private equity and
project finance in Africa, but have very little information about
organizations that do that kind of work. Any information you can
provide will be greatly appreciated.

Answer: See below. Remember the process .. Find leaders, email them
and repeat over and over again. Annoying, but positive in the end!
Please let me know how it goes and don't hesitate to give me
call/email if you're having trouble. - J

Access Capital Atlantique
Access Capital Services Share Company
ACTIS
Africa Vucani Investment Management services
African Agricultural Capital
African Alliance
African Banking Corporation
African Capital Alliance
Agora Holdings SA
Alitheia Capital Limited
Aureos Capital One
Averroes Finance
Blakeney Management
Bridgeworks Africa Limited
Business Partners Int
Capital Invest
Cauris Management S.A.
CDC Group Plc
Cenainvest S.A
Citadelle Capital LLC
Cordiant Capital Inc.
Databank Financial Services Ltd
Databank Private Equity Ltd
East Africa Capital Partners
EFG-Hermes Private Equity
Emerging Markets Partnership
Equity Africa
Ethos Private Equity
European Investment Bank
Fidelity Capital Partners
Finlombarda Gestioni SGR
First Funds Limited
FMO - Nederlandse Financierings Maatschappij voor Ontwikkelingslanden NV (FMO)
Fonds Sindibad SA
I&P Conseil France
I&P Management (Indian Ocean) Ltd
IBTC Ventures Limited
IFU
Invest Development Sicar (I.D. Sicar)
Investec Asset Management
Kingdom Zephyr Management Africa
Macquarie First South Corporate Finance
Madagascar Development Partners
Marocinvest Finance Group
MCB Capital Partners
Mecene Investment
Modern Africa Fund Managers
National Investment Bank
Phoenix Capital Management
Proparco
PRYME Private Equity
Rennaissance Capital
SAEDF
Saoti Finance
Shanduka Fund Managers
SNI
Société Africaine de Participation (SAPA)
SODICAB-Sicar S.A.
SOVEC Social Venture Capital Fund
SSNIT
Sud Sicar
Thousand Hills Venture Fund
Timbuktu Capital Management,LLC
Travant Capital Partners
Trident Trust
Tuninvest Finance Group
Univers Invest SICAR
Vantage Risk Capital
Venture Capital Partners
Venture Capital Trust Fund

Associate Members
Abacus Capital Limited Financial Services
African Legend Financial Services
Afriland First Bank
AIA
Barbara James
Chase Bank Kenya Ltd.
Corporate Connect BV
Crosswrock Law
DBSA
Delta Finance
DOB Foundation
Duff and Phelps
East African Development Bank(EADB)
Edward Nathan & Friedland (Proprietary) Limited
Enterprise Holdings
Eversheds
Global Investment Services
Hesse & Larsey
IM BANK
International Finance Corporation
INVESCO Asset Management
Invesco Asset Mgt.
Investeq Capital Limited
Islamic Corporation for the Development of the Private Sector
Jan-Roland Vergeer
John Ffooks
Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
Lani Consulting
Lawfields Consulting
Mark Fancett
Mary Jane Potter
Michael Monari
Mohamed Dieye
Nathan De Assis
Norfund
Norsad Agency
Oikocredit
Performances and Strategy
Quantum Capital S.A
Richard Oates
Schwartz Law Firm
SIFEM
SIGEFI
Soji Omisore
Stephen Cashin
Swedfund International
Technoserve SA
UBA
Uyi Edokpolo
Webber Wentzel

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economics and change (career series)

Question:

Hey Josh,

I am a student at UMD in the Economic program. I was told you had some insight, by the Economic Association of Maryland, when it came to pursuing an economic degree or pathways and internships I should be looking into. I am a Junior right now, switched recently from Engineering so my past internships are all in the  Engineering field and I am not accustom to looking for internships in another field do you have any recommendations?

Answer:

Great to hear from you. Lots of opportunities to use
business (and your economics degree) to change things for the better.
I'd start with xigi.net and the Fast Company Social Cap Awards (just
google that phrase). Target 10-15 organizations/companies and email
them a crisp message stating why you are good for them - not the other
way around! The process is a little annoying, but the payoff is
awesome. If you have more questions, please don't hesitate (I really
mean that) to give me a all at 610.999.5430.

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sustainability and me (AKA- I don't want to hate my job)

Question: Hi, Josh. What organizations and companies should I
contact that are leading the way on sustainability. I'm looking to stay
in the DC area, too. Thanks!

Answer: Always really good to hear from you. Lots of them. I'm not sure
which one's are specific to DC, but check out all the resources on
Good.is; all the companies/organizations on the Fast Company Social
Capitalist Awards (http://www.fastcompany.com/social/2008/index.html);
all the companies/organizations on xigi.net; and, all the organization
on this list http://socialcapitalindex.net/category/enterprises/environmental-sustainabili...

If you wanna stick to sustainability-themed organizations, look up WRI
and the Environmental Defense Fund - both have offices in DC.

Please get in touch if you need anything. I really wanna make sure
you're set; the world needs ya.

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