Energized by Service to Others: Mike Turaj ’20 

Mike Turaj ’20 says that ever since he was a child, he has wanted to change the world.  

“I was always interested in the government, and the sense that you can create real change – that you can help people, and leave the world a better place,” he says. “It’s as grand and as simple as that.” 

Turaj is currently the Policy and Public Affairs Advisor at Generation Power CT (Connecticut), formerly known as Operation Fuel. Generation Power CT is a nonprofit energy and water assistance organization.  

“I help develop and implement successful government affairs, public policy, and advocacy programs for the organization and our clients,” he says. “We provide emergency assistance to limited-income Connecticut families. We have emergency assistance program cycles where we provide grants for clients to keep their lights on, keep their heat on, or their cool air going.”  

His journey to his current professional position began at Assumption, where he followed his passions, majoring in history with a double minor in political science and peace and conflict studies. 

“Coming to Assumption, in my history courses and political science courses, I saw things that connect to the real world,” he says. “There’s so much injustice and inequity, and when you learn about it, you want to change it.” 

Turaj credits the passion and encouragement of his Assumption professors as key to his success professionally – specifically, associate professor of history Deborah Kisatsky. 

“I learned from Professor Kisatsky how to be a better writer, speaker, scholar, and just a better person,” he says. “She allows students to voice different points of view, to collaborate, and to learn from others. She instilled that in all of us.” 

Outside of the classroom, Turaj continued this commitment to creating change and helping others, volunteering through Assumption’s Reach Out Center. Turaj served as a mentor to a student from the Assumption Center’s Youth Mentoring Program at St. Peter’s Church during his time at Assumption, watching him grow from third to sixth grade.  

Turaj also worked for the Denecker Career Development and Internship Center (CDIC), which he says gave him the push he needed to achieve all he has in his professional life.  

“I had goals coming out of college, and they helped me to achieve those goals,” he says. “I used to go in there almost every single day to ask about my resume.” 

During his junior year, Turaj interned with the World Affairs Council of Connecticut, where he helped to develop the 2019 Model United Nations program in Connecticut.  

“I was able to go to Washington, D.C. for the annual World Affairs Council conference, and it was awesome to learn from different people from around the country,” he says. “I was able to engage in conversations about things that impact us every day and take the ideas from others and immerse myself in them. In my career now, I find myself referencing things from that internship.” 

Turaj’s career in politics continued in 2022, when he took on a position as an organizer for Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont’s re-election campaign. A moment on this campaign, he says, stuck with him, leading to his specific passion for providing energy assistance to those in need.  

“On the campaign trail, door knocking, I remember an older woman told me she wished she could afford her energy bill and to keep her home warm in the winter without worrying,” he says. “I didn’t know what to say – at the time I didn’t know that Generation Power CT existed.”  

Later, working in a lobbying job, Turaj was able to see his future boss testify at the Connecticut State Capitol on behalf of energy assistance and Generation Power CT. A few months later, Turaj’s initial role as a policy associate opened up at the company.  

“It was fate, in a way,” he says. “But it was never just a job for me. It was never about looking good on my resume or anything like that. I have goals, and I have a vision of equity, accessibility, and service in Connecticut. It’s hard work, but at the end of the day, you’re helping people, and it’s a fantastic sense of commitment and service.” 

In terms of his future career plans, Turaj hopes to continue making a difference in the lives of those in need in Connecticut, especially in the energy industry, where he has found that his passions lie. 

“I definitely want to continue my career in the energy world, whether it’s at my company, a different company – I want to be in the energy space and help,” he says. “There is still so much need in the energy world, and I would love to see my organization grow.”