Kaitlyn McMullin’s path into the solar energy sector began with a big life change and a desire to pursue what truly mattered to her: clean energy and sustainability. After relocating to Germany, she took the opportunity to enroll in the Solar Energy Engineering (SEE) master’s program. Through a combination of online study and valuable hands-on experience at Fraunhofer ISE, Kaitlyn gained the skills and confidence to build a career in the solar industry.

In this interview, we had the opportunity to speak with Kaitlyn about her experience in the SEE program, her current work, and advice for prospective students.

Can you tell us about your current role and the type of work you're doing in the solar energy sector?
I am currently a process engineer at a solar startup called EMC in New York. We are working to commercialize perovskite solar panels on a large scale through roll-to-roll printing technology. I am lucky to be able to combine my chemical/process engineering background with my SEE master’s to help further the clean energy transition through research, development, and scale-up.

What motivated you to join the Solar Energy Engineering (SEE) program, and how did it support your professional development?
It was quite serendipitous how I found the SEE program. I was working as a process engineer at a window manufacturing plant in Pennsylvania when my husband, enlisted in the US Army, was given orders to Germany for 3 years. So, I quit my job and moved, unsure of what I would do for work. I was never passionate about windows, so I decided to take this as an opportunity to pursue my real passion: clean energy and sustainability. It just so happened that the best solar energy master’s program was located just down the river. While it is an online program, I was still excited by the proximity. In the end, the program allowed me to pivot my career and pursue my passion.

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Which parts of the SEE program (modules, instructors, or projects) were the most valuable for your career path?
Many of the modules themselves were very valuable to me. I took extensive notes that I still reference to this day! Of course, the instructors and tutors were also extremely helpful along the way. However, the HiWi (lab technician) job I was able to obtain at Fraunhofer ISE and the team I got to work with there while writing my thesis was absolutely the most valuable aspect of the program. I know it is not feasible for everyone to move to Freiburg, but the experience I gained in working there for just one year truly got me where I am today—living my dream as a process engineer in the clean energy space.

How did you manage to balance studying online with your professional responsibilities?
I was fortunate enough to be able to enroll as a full-time student. I did have a part-time job at a local shop, but I did not have true professional responsibilities while studying online, so I was able to complete the program in two years.

What advice would you give to prospective students considering the SEE program, and how can they make the most of their experience?
My advice would be to absolutely enroll in the program. You gain a full understanding of the state of global sustainability, the role that solar energy plays, and the physics of solar energy collection. Also, everyone in the program (both professors and students) brings such unique expertise, experience, and motivation that every conversation makes you feel like you can really make a difference together; it’s extremely encouraging, especially in the current landscape. I would also advise to at least visit Freiburg once, and consider moving there temporarily. Of course, there are many factors that prevent this, but I don’t think I would have obtained my dream job without the hands-on experience related to my thesis.

Kaitlyns journey is a great example of how the Solar Energy Engineering master’s program can open doors to a meaningful career in renewable energy. Her experience highlights the power of combining strong academic knowledge with hands-on work, and the importance of following your passion. She also emphasizes how working as a lab technician at Fraunhofer ISE during her thesis was crucial to her career development. All our students get the chance to visit Freiburg at least once for lab workshops and during our annual campus phase, which brings students, lecturers, and the management team together. Kaitlyn encourages prospective students to fully engage with the program and appreciate the unique expertise and motivation of everyone involved, which makes the experience inspiring and impactful.