Connor Rowe | Intern
Company: Liberty Energy
College: CU Boulder
Major: Psychology Major, Business Minor
Grade: Graduated – May 2026
Hometown: Asheville, NC
What has surprised you most about working in the energy industry?
Before starting my internship, my perception of the energy industry was shaped largely by news coverage and popular media. I assumed the industry was defined by traditional processes, dominated mainly by engineers, and organized around a siloed corporate culture.
What surprised me most was the level of collaboration that drives the industry forward. I quickly learned that energy is not just about managing resources; it depends on a broad ecosystem of different people, different processes, and their different services working together. During my rotations through HR, supply chain, HSE, and recruiting, I saw how teams contribute to solving complex challenges that require practical, forward-thinking solutions.
One experience that reshaped my view of the energy industry was learning how Liberty Energy is responding to new energy demands from the technology sector. The company is partnering with data centers to provide natural gas infrastructure for facilities that cannot easily connect to local power grids. This approach helps data centers avoid long delays from traditional utility grid hookups and allows critical facilities to begin operating soon after construction. Seeing this firsthand showed me that the future of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure depends on creative, agile energy partnerships.
Many people may view the energy sector as a legacy-oriented field, but they might be surprised to learn that the cloud computing and data centers powering our digital world depend on innovative natural gas solutions. This experience has shown me that the energy sector is not only keeping pace with the future; it is building the infrastructure needed to power it.
What attracted you to this internship opportunity?
The ability to gain exposure to an important industry that impacts so many people’s daily lives.
What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the energy industry?
I wish more people were aware of the innovations that are constantly occurring in this industry and the process of how the energy they consume is produced for them.
If you could ask an industry leader one question, what would it be?
Given that much of the energy industry is highly cyclical, how do you manage attrition during market dips?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I hope to have established a strong foundation for my career and become a more knowledgeable and well-rounded professional. I want to continue learning from experienced industry leaders, taking on new challenges, and expanding my understanding of the energy industry.
Complete the Sentence-
Before this internship, I thought the energy industry was… a traditional and strict engineering sector, rather than a collaborative and innovating sector.
My friends would be shocked to learn… this industry is a hub for modern workforce talent, like data analytics, supply chain, etc.
If I were CEO of an energy company for a day…. administer a short survey to field workers to gather data on the biggest roadblocks they face in their day to day responsibilities.
Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
