“This event is for all IU students – undergraduate and graduate, and in any degree program across campus," said Teresa Dunn, associate director for IU’s Integrated Program in the Environment. "Therefore, any student on campus interested in sustainability and resilience, regardless of major, will find it appealing. They just need to be curious to see how they can apply their unique skills to environmental solutions.”
Among the alumni featured on the panel will be Chiara Bangor-Giorgio, an educational interpreter at the Indianapolis Zoo (College of Arts and Sciences, 2020; B.A., Geography), Will Drews, a natural resources specialist for the Knox County Soil & Water Conservation District (Paul H. O’Neill School for Public and Environmental Affairs, 2016; M.S., Environmental Science and Applied Ecology), Trina Grogan, an AmeriCorps VISTA Data and Evaluation Coordinator (Kelley School of Business, 2020; B.S., Public Policy Analysis, Economic Consulting, Sustainable Business), and Adam Schmutte, an urban ecology manager at Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (School of Public Health, 2016; B.S., Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Human Ecology).
Sustainability is a relevant theme across many disciplines, and any student who is passionate about environmental justice, problem-solving, and resilience – regardless of their chosen discipline – can find a career which reflects that interest, according to Dunn. The panel’s diverse makeup – which includes alumni from vastly varied undergraduate and graduate programs and career fields – is designed to support that claim.
“Resilience and sustainability-focused careers exist in every sector, because environmental issues are inherently interdisciplinary,” Dunn said. “We need everyone, from every perspective, to work toward solutions in this space.”
In addition to offering careers for students of different skill sets, interests, and degrees, the environmental sector also offers a promising future for entry-level employees: jobs in the sector will become more plentiful and profitable in the coming years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“This sector is a lucrative option for students looking to make a meaningful contribution to their local, national, and international communities,” Dunn said. “Therefore, resilience and sustainability is an important career path to explore when planning for your future.”
This event is presented by Themester 2021: Resilience and the Walter Center for Career Achievement. Registration is required, but the event is free and open to the IU community.
The College of Arts