Be curious about numerous disciplines.
The environmental sector is filled with opportunities overlapping two or more disciplines, and this is often needed to provide innovative and creative solutions to the complex global problems in the environmental field. Explore various disciplines through courses, by going to events, by talking to experts or alumni in different fields, and pursuing summer internships to put things in practice.
Talk to experts at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ and beyond.
You think you’re interested in Policy or Consulting? Or you’re wondering about Advocacy or Education? Start by browsing ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ departmental websites, talking to faculty, and meeting with advisors in CXD for guidance on where to begin. We can help you link your interests to the work being done at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ and to professionals across the US and abroad.
Develop a short-term and long-term plan(s).
Your short-term plan should consider what kinds of experience you want to get during your summer and during the school year. Think about what kind of field you want to get hands-on experience in and how to find those opportunities. Your longer-term plan should be about what your after-ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ experience will focus on, for example working as a policy analyst while preparing applications for graduate school. For both, get help regularly from your professors and your CXD advisors.
Get help finding internship and volunteering opportunities.
There are fantastic ways to get experience at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ and get funded as well. Visit departmental websites for information, as well as the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ Fellowships website. The McKeen Center offers great opportunities to get involved with the community and the Roux Center often hosts events year-round. Through CXD, we can help you find opportunities in the U.S. and internationally, and even help you fund those experiences through the CXD Funded Internship Program.
Adjust your path as you gain experience.
As you take more advanced classes, take leadership roles in clubs, and gain volunteering and internship experience, what you initially set out to accomplish might change. This is normal and it is important for you to adjust your direction as you develop through your ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø±¬ÍøÕ¾ years and beyond. Reach out to your advisors frequently, as we can help you recalibrate your compass or chart out a new path forward.