In January 2018, Carl began pursuing a Master’s Degree in Sustainability Management at Columbia University’s Earth Institute. The program is designed to bridge the gap between scientists and the rest of the world by incorporating environmental science and conservation coursework into sustainable business and policy practices. In response to the increasing global climate challenges many industries face, from limiting their carbon emissions to managing their water resources, the program prepares professionals to work with businesses and government entities and help them achieve their environmental goals. Carl hopes to eventually use his degree to work in urban environmental sustainability planning and policy as the trend towards larger urban populations continues to grow. He feels that New York City is the perfect place for him to earn his Masters and launch his career towards making America’s biggest city more climate resilient and environmentally conscious.
After completing a Summer 2018 internship with JetBlue Airlines Sustainability team, Carl pivoted into a role in Environmental Health & Safety where he assists with keeping JetBlue in compliance with national and international environmental aviation policy, as well as developing and changing internal policy to address environmental inefficiencies. More specifically, he oversees their Wildlife Strike Mitigation Program with the FAA, supports their Aircraft Drinking Water Quality Program with be EPA, and is working to build a formalized environmental management system to be adapted at each of their destination airports to improve environmental compliance at a local level.
Can you reflect on your time and experiences at CSU and how it benefited you?
Warner College prepared me for this next step in my career by allowing me the flexibility in my course work and extra-curricular activities to explore different aspects of ecology and sustainability. The ability to go from my Sustainable Policy class, to Environmental Economics, and finish the day with Diversity of Fishes showed me how much these areas of sustainability overlap and enabled me to find my own place within the field. After class, whether participating in research at the Natural Resource Ecology Lab or volunteering at the Environmental Justice Center, Warner was never short of opportunities for me to get involved and learn about something new. Because of these opportunities, I was able to become well rounded in several aspects of environmental science, which will suit me well in my uniquely diverse program at Columbia.
What advice do you have for current students or recent grads?
My advice is to get involved with new and unfamiliar opportunities related to whatever it is you want to pursue. Whether that be taking a new job or internship, or even enrolling in a class you wouldn’t normally take, it’s important to branch out now while you have the time and freedom to do so. Spreading yourself across the sustainability spectrum while you have the chance will help build a resume and show potential grad schools or employers that you are interested in the field and dedicated to finding your place within it. In doing this, you will also realize what you enjoy doing, and more importantly what you don’t. Each new experience will provide you with the tools to build your own path and help get you to where you want to be.