Emily Hammermeister
Powering the future: a Loyola grad’s career path in solar energy
When Emily Hammermeister (’19) first visited Loyola in 2014, she was excited about the interdisciplinary programs in the School of Environmental Sustainability (SES), and she loved the University’s beautiful Lake Shore Campus and its urban setting. “I liked the fact that, in SES, I could get to know my professors and my classmates, and I liked the idea of being in Chicago, where there are so many opportunities to learn and grow,” she said.
Hammermeister said her education in SES provided her with broad foundational knowledge of sustainability issues, opening up a wide range of possible career paths. Shortly after graduating in 2019 with a BS in environmental science, she found an opportunity in sustainable energy at Trajectory Energy Partners, where she has built a career ever since.
SES graduate Emily Hammermeister is an operations manager at Trajectory Energy Partners, an Illinois-based solar energy company.
Trajectory Energy Partners is an Illinois-based solar company that focuses primarily on community and utility-scale solar development rather than smaller, rooftop solar installations. Hammermeister began as an analyst and progressed to a position as operations manager, overseeing compliance, data management, and behind-the-scenes coordination that keeps large-scale solar projects moving forward.
“We handle everything from finding land and negotiating leases to navigating permitting and interconnection,” Hammermeister explained. “My role now is making sure the ship stays afloat—ensuring all the pieces come together so the projects succeed.”
A Loyola lens on sustainability
Hammermeister credits her Loyola education for both providing essential career skills and shaping her approach to environmental issues. “Loyola provided such a worldly lens—how to care about people, how to care about the planet,” she said. “SES really emphasizes that interdisciplinary approach. You’re taking hard sciences, policy, and even philosophy. That made me think critically about how to move forward with real-world challenges.”
One course that stands out in her memory was her Applied Interdisciplinary Data Analysis class with Professor Reuben Keller. Students in the class developed research questions, gathered and analyzed data, and considered how their findings could impact real-world decisions. “It was the kind of class that really prepared me to think in both scientific and practical terms,” she said. Hammermeister also continues to find value in a course she took on GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Although she doesn’t use the software daily, the problem-solving skills and technical familiarity she developed remain helpful in her work today.
She also studied abroad through an SES program in Sweden, where she gained a new perspective on environmental policy. “It was inspiring to see how another country approached sustainability,” she said.
Beyond the Classroom
Hammermeister’s time at Loyola extended beyond labs and lectures, and her hands-on experiences also left a lasting impact. As an intern with Loyola’s urban agriculture program, she coordinated volunteers, harvested crops, and gained experience with aquaponics.
She was also a peer mentor in the Rambler Success Program and a member of the Student Environmental Alliance. She even tried her hand at being a radio DJ through the School of Communication. “I wasn’t an experienced public speaker,” she said, “but I decided to try it, and I came out of the experience more confident.”
That willingness to “just say yes” has shaped her career as well as her education. In fact, her first position at Trajectory Energy Partners came through a connection facilitated by SES founding dean Nancy Tuchman. “I wasn’t necessarily looking to go into energy,” she admits, “but the opportunity came up, and it ended up being the perfect fit.”
Advice for Future Ramblers
For current and prospective SES students, Hammermeister emphasizes the value of making connections and trying new things. “Ask questions and reach out to professors and alumni,” she advises. “Try to meet as many people as you can, and go to events, even if you’re not certain it’s for you. You never know what opportunities will come from simply showing up.”
And for students unsure of their exact paths, she offers reassurance: “SES gives you a full tool belt. You leave knowing a little about a lot of topics, and that flexibility can work in your favor. Be open to what comes your way—you might be surprised where it leads.”
by Stephanie Folk
October 2025
Trajectory Energy Partners is an Illinois-based solar company that focuses primarily on community and utility-scale solar development rather than smaller, rooftop solar installations. Hammermeister began as an analyst and progressed to a position as operations manager, overseeing compliance, data management, and behind-the-scenes coordination that keeps large-scale solar projects moving forward.
“We handle everything from finding land and negotiating leases to navigating permitting and interconnection,” Hammermeister explained. “My role now is making sure the ship stays afloat—ensuring all the pieces come together so the projects succeed.”
A Loyola lens on sustainability
Hammermeister credits her Loyola education for both providing essential career skills and shaping her approach to environmental issues. “Loyola provided such a worldly lens—how to care about people, how to care about the planet,” she said. “SES really emphasizes that interdisciplinary approach. You’re taking hard sciences, policy, and even philosophy. That made me think critically about how to move forward with real-world challenges.”
One course that stands out in her memory was her Applied Interdisciplinary Data Analysis class with Professor Reuben Keller. Students in the class developed research questions, gathered and analyzed data, and considered how their findings could impact real-world decisions. “It was the kind of class that really prepared me to think in both scientific and practical terms,” she said. Hammermeister also continues to find value in a course she took on GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Although she doesn’t use the software daily, the problem-solving skills and technical familiarity she developed remain helpful in her work today.
She also studied abroad through an SES program in Sweden, where she gained a new perspective on environmental policy. “It was inspiring to see how another country approached sustainability,” she said.
Beyond the Classroom
Hammermeister’s time at Loyola extended beyond labs and lectures, and her hands-on experiences also left a lasting impact. As an intern with Loyola’s urban agriculture program, she coordinated volunteers, harvested crops, and gained experience with aquaponics.
She was also a peer mentor in the Rambler Success Program and a member of the Student Environmental Alliance. She even tried her hand at being a radio DJ through the School of Communication. “I wasn’t an experienced public speaker,” she said, “but I decided to try it, and I came out of the experience more confident.”
That willingness to “just say yes” has shaped her career as well as her education. In fact, her first position at Trajectory Energy Partners came through a connection facilitated by SES founding dean Nancy Tuchman. “I wasn’t necessarily looking to go into energy,” she admits, “but the opportunity came up, and it ended up being the perfect fit.”
Advice for Future Ramblers
For current and prospective SES students, Hammermeister emphasizes the value of making connections and trying new things. “Ask questions and reach out to professors and alumni,” she advises. “Try to meet as many people as you can, and go to events, even if you’re not certain it’s for you. You never know what opportunities will come from simply showing up.”
And for students unsure of their exact paths, she offers reassurance: “SES gives you a full tool belt. You leave knowing a little about a lot of topics, and that flexibility can work in your favor. Be open to what comes your way—you might be surprised where it leads.”
by Stephanie Folk
October 2025