Internship Story: Versant Power
This summer, four Maine Business School students are powering their professional growth at Versant Power. From accounting to human resources, undergraduates Alanna Berube, Wyatt Byther, and Bailey Clarke, along with MBA student Ernest Asane, are gaining hands-on experience in the utility industry, translating their classroom learning into real-world impact. Their internships offer an inside look at one of Maine’s key energy providers and demonstrate how MBS’s commitment to career readiness and industry partnerships is helping students chart successful career paths in finance, accounting, and beyond.
How did you hear about the Versant Internship?
Wyatt Byther, Finance Intern: Through professional development and networking events at the Maine Business School and at the UMaine Career Fair.
Ernest Asane, Financial Accounting Intern: I learned about this opportunity through the strong support system at the Maine Business School. With the guidance of our internship coordinator, Trina, and through resources shared by the school, I was introduced to Versant Power’s internship program. Trina played a key role in connecting me with this opportunity, and I’m grateful for how MBS actively fosters partnerships with organizations like Versant Power to help students gain hands-on experience in impactful industries like energy and utilities.
Why did you choose to join Versant as an intern?
Alanna Berube, Finance Intern: I chose to intern at Versant because a regulated utility has unique tax rules that you can’t learn about anywhere besides at a power company.
Ernest: I was excited about the opportunity to apply my accounting and finance background in a real-world setting where energy meets financial stewardship. Interning here is not just a learning experience; it’s a chance to contribute to something that powers everyday life while also helping me grow professionally.
What are your internship tasks?
Bailey Clarke, Human Resources Intern: My responsibilities include assisting with the onboarding of new employees, organizing personnel files, supporting recruitment processes, updating internal documents, and providing administrative support to the whole HR team.
Alanna: My daily tasks consist of working with regulatory asset accounts, creating Excel spreadsheets, and learning about regulated utility tax laws to work towards a goal of creating a prototype that will enhance Versant’s tax team’s ability to do their job.
What do you like most about your internship?
Bailey: What I enjoy most is learning about the different areas of human resources and how each one contributes to supporting both employees and the organization. It’s been rewarding to see how the company functions behind the scenes and to play a part in helping Versant Power grow stronger every day.
Wyatt: I have enjoyed meeting new people and getting hands-on experience with interesting work.
Alanna: What I’ve liked the most is how much I learned in a very short period of time. I’ve been exposed to many inner workings of the company that I had no idea about. It’s been incredibly rewarding to connect what I’ve learned in my courses to the real world.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve experienced as an intern?
Bailey: The biggest challenge was learning all the HR systems and processes, especially because there are so many details involved with employee documentation and compliance.
Wyatt: Learning how to put theoretical skills into practice and adjusting to an industry learning curve.
Ernest: Adapting to the fast-paced environment and learning to navigate complex financial systems while managing multiple tasks simultaneously. At first, it was overwhelming to balance the technical details of the work with meeting deadlines and understanding company-specific procedures. However, my supervisors and colleagues were incredibly supportive throughout this process. They took the time to patiently explain concepts, provide guidance, and offer constructive feedback. Their mentorship helped me build confidence, develop effective time-management strategies, and quickly improve my technical skills.
What things are you learning during your internship that you couldn’t have learned in the classroom?
Bailey: I’ve gained a deeper understanding of how HR policies are applied in real-life situations, how to communicate professionally with employees and managers, and how to handle confidential information responsibly. These are valuable lessons that go beyond what’s taught in the classroom and have helped me grow both personally and professionally.
Alanna: Although being in the classroom helped with my knowledge of software like Excel, I would not have been able to learn the actual tax laws and processes I’ve learned throughout my internship, inside the classroom. Regulated utilities are very specific, and there’s no class that provides the level of knowledge I now have involving them.
How will this experience help you as you move forward in your career?
Bailey: This internship has helped me build professional confidence, understand the dynamics of an office environment, and explore human resources as a potential career path. The hands-on experience I’ve gained this summer will be incredibly valuable as I move forward in my future career.
Ernest: This experience has deepened my understanding of accounting systems, improved my data analysis skills, and reinforced the importance of accuracy and transparency in financial reporting. It’s also shown me the power of collaboration in solving problems and maintaining organizational integrity. As I move forward, I feel more equipped and confident to take on complex accounting roles, especially in industries where regulatory compliance and precision are paramount.
Bailey Clarke, Senior, Management major
Ellsworth, ME
Human Resources Intern
Alanna Berube, Senior, Management Major
Carmel, ME
Finance Intern
Wyatt Byther, Junior, Finance and Accounting Major
Old Town, ME
Finance Intern
Ernest Asane, MBA, Accounting Concentration
Kumasi, Ghana
Financial Accounting Intern