September 01, 2023
Meet 2023 Cadet Engineer: Natalie RamoS
Understanding the long-term clean energy goals of the State, 2023 Cadet Engineer and mechanical entrepreneur, Natalie Ramos is interested in discovering new ways consumers can improve their carbon footprints. But before Ramos changes the world, she is going to make a few pit stops along the way, and one happens to be at HG&E. Ramos was selected as the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Cornelius J. Moriarty, Jr. Scholarship for Cadet Engineers.
Pit stop was a purposeful word choice since Ramos is extremely interested in the automotive world and how the industry will adopt carbon-free vehicles. Ramos is not sure that the electric vehicle will be the solution for everyone, “we need to have more options, and I'd like to help develop some innovative strategies around carbon-free vehicles,” said Ramos.
This summer, Ramos has toured many of HG&E's facilities and is impressed by the scope of HG&E's work. “Holyoke is one of a kind, with so many opportunities for its customers,” said Ramos. “It's been interesting to get a behind the scenes look at all the things happening here. I have driven by the canal system countless times, but I did not understand all the benefits the system has provided to the City over time, until I started here!”
Ramos is working with Sarah LaRose in the Hydroelectric division this summer. LaRose is intimately familiar with the program as she previously participated in the Cadet Engineering program (Holyoke High School class of 2007 and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute class of 2011), and has risen through the ranks to be a Senior Project Engineer. Together, this summer LaRose and Ramos are studying flow duration curves and monitoring environmental assessments at the fishway.
When she is out of the office, you can find Ramos working at Target, as well as Stateline Video Games, a locally owned retro gaming store. She enjoys taking old or broken gaming consoles apart, repairing them and giving them new life in any way possible. In addition, Ramos volunteers at her church each summer in their youth program, which she has been attending for 10 years, as a participant and now volunteer.
Born and raised in Holyoke, Ramos has been inspired by her hardworking and dedicated parents. She will be attending the University of Hartford in the fall, majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a focus in Acoustics.
We look forward to seeing what the future holds for our young engineers. The Cornelius J. Moriarty, Jr. Scholarship for Cadet Engineers is open to City of Holyoke residents who are graduating from a duly accredited senior secondary school and have been accepted into an accredited engineering program. The Cadet Program has allowed HG&E to keep engineering talent local. Currently, 12 full-time employees came through the program at the start of their careers. For additional application criteria, please visit www.hged.com/cadet.