My Summer of Growth at Pascal Technologies

Coming from the world of management consulting, I was confident in my ability to build project plans, coordinate cross-functional teams, and communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences. I could translate technical concepts into plain language, craft compelling business cases, and synthesize stakeholder interviews, but when it came to the quantitative analysis behind those recommendations, I had always relied on someone else. Before this summer, I never would have described myself as a data analysis or modeling expert.

That changed during my internship as an EDF Climate Corps Fellow at Pascal Technologies, a pre-commercial climate tech startup developing an ultra-low-GWP, high-efficiency refrigerant. To support future investor and customer conversations, Pascal needed a rigorous, data-driven way to quantify the climate benefits of its technology. I worked closely with the CEO and head of business development, to research, design, and build dynamic avoided-emissions models for two applications: beverage coolers and rooftop air conditioning units. Because these models would underpin conversations with investors and customers, their accuracy and credibility were critical.

The challenge pushed me to apply everything I had learned at SEAS and the Erb Institute. I drew on coursework in life cycle assessment and industrial ecology, sought guidance from classmates and alumni, and immersed myself in unfamiliar technical literature. By the end of the summer, I had developed two comprehensive, dynamic models that quantified the avoided emissions potential of Pascal's technology and equipped the company with a credible, data-backed tool to communicate its value.

More importantly, the experience reshaped how I see myself. I left not only with stronger technical skills, but with the confidence to tackle new analytical challenges. It reinforced one of the most valuable lessons of my first year at Michigan: growth happens when you step beyond the role you've always played and into one you never thought was yours.