At the Department of Energy, Secretary Steven Chu has said that one of our most important management principles is: “Our people are our greatest asset. “When we look for new talent, we don’t just look for scientists and engineers with advanced degrees, we also look for innovative individuals who want to be part of the clean energy revolution, working together to better our energy future.

This vision requires talent, so we work hard to train and recruit the top talent available. It also requires that we take care of the talent that we have, including the many students we recruit and hire to be the next generation of leaders in the energy field. This is why the Department of Energy is involved in the It Gets Better Project, a national campaign to provide support to LGBT youth. As the Acting Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, I recorded a message to students around the country.

Bullies have typically, and wrongly, seen LGBT youth as an easy target. They pick on kids with a sexual orientation different than theirs because they think that nobody is watching. They think they can get away with it, because nobody cares or that other kids support their bullying tactics.

Our message is simple: people ARE watching, and people DO care. New programs are popping up at schools all around the country, designed to put a stop to bullying and harassment. Parents, teachers, administrators, politicians and community leaders are speaking out and taking action. Remember, it does get better.

Bill Valdez is the Acting Director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.