Cultivating Green Careers: USC alumni share how an environmental studies degree shaped their professional paths
Thirty years ago, the USC Environmental Studies program (ENST) was established with an important mission in mind: to train the next generation of creative and effective environmental leaders who will address our planet’s complex challenges. The program, which is now part of the Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability, engages students in coursework that taps into the natural sciences and social sciences, equipping them with knowledge and skills to tackle the interdisciplinary nature of today’s environmental problems. Upon graduation, environmental studies alumni are prepared to embark on a wide range of professional journeys – from pursuing graduate studies in sustainability fields to launching careers in applied science, environmental policy, conservation, and more. Keep reading to learn about how earning a degree in environmental studies propelled seven USC alumni toward meaningful work.
Dr. Sharon Walker ’98
Current Role: Dean and Distinguished Professor of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Employer: Drexel University College of Engineering
How ENST shaped my career: “Environmental Studies faculty had a significant influence on my decision to pursue graduate study in chemical and environmental engineering. The program also helped equip me for designing and conducting independent research projects that are central to my field.”
Wrigley Institute highlight: “My time on Catalina Island was the defining intellectual and personal experience of my college career. Admittedly, it taught me how difficult field research is and influenced my choice to do lab-based research in my own career. Nonetheless, I loved the living-learning environment. As we were the first residential class out at the Wrigley Institute in spring semester 1998, I appreciate the wonderful faculty and staff who worked hard to make it happen.”
Miguel Ordeñana ’05
Current Role: Community Science Senior Manager
Employer: Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
How ENST shaped my career: “I have been passionate about wildlife conservation my entire life but struggled to envision myself as an environmental professional because I came from a background underrepresented in the environmental field. The Environmental Studies program really nurtured my passion for wildlife conservation and the environment while challenging me to consider the various physical and social environmental factors that impact wildlife, humans of all backgrounds, and our ability to coexist. Although I had a non-traditional path to the environmental major and field, the ENST program placed wildlife conservation into a more relevant context for someone like me and helped make a career in wildlife conservation seem more tangible.”
Justin Pearce ’15
Current Role: Fishery Management Specialist
Employer: NOAA Fisheries
How ENST shaped my career: “If it wasn’t for the Wrigley Institute, I don’t think I would’ve found my career path as easily as I did. I first learned about our federal fisheries management in my Introduction to Environmental Studies class. My work in that course opened my eyes to applied science and natural resource management concepts that put me on the career path I’m on today. ENST courses in marine policy, ecology, resource economics, law, and scientific diving (in Palau!) were also pivotal to my education and career. Not to mention, I made lifelong friends while I was there.”
Caitlin Hoversten ’18
Current Role: Federal Account Manager
Employer: Esri
How ENST shaped my career: “Being versed in business from an environmental perspective and having a GIS background from the ENST program has been pivotal for my career. Esri is the global market leader in GIS software, location intelligence, and mapping. I would not have been able to step into this role without having studied GIS at USC.”
Wrigley Institute/ENST highlight: “The ENST program at USC was my home. I was a student assistant after transferring to USC through the Trojan Transfer Program, and I grew close to all the incredible professors that the ENST program is so lucky to have. I am deeply grateful for the years I spent with ENST, the memories I made, and the forever family I gained through such an incredible program.”
Efrain Vidal ’19
Current Role: Ph.D. Student (Chemistry)
Employer: University of Oregon
How ENST shaped my career: “Because of the interdisciplinary nature of ENST, I was exposed to organic chemistry midway through my degree, and that led me to pursue a deeper understanding of the subject. And reading scientific publications and doing a lot of group work in so many of my ENST classes really helped prepare me for analyzing scientific literature and the collaborative nature of research in a chemistry lab.”
Wrigley Institute highlight: “This program is a major catalyst in my eyes. There are so many paths that ENST students can find themselves on by the time their senior year comes around, and the faculty are real stars, both for encouraging students to follow their interests and in assisting them to prepare for their professional lives beyond USC.”
Connie Machuca ’20
Current Role: Biological Science Technician
Employer: USDA Agricultural Research Service
How ENST shaped my career: “My experience with the Environmental Studies program and the Wrigley Institute REU program helped me solidify my goal of becoming a research scientist. My time at USC allowed me to gain scientific research experience while understanding the importance of policy and regulation within sustainability and environmental research.”
Wrigley Institute/ENST highlight: “I really enjoyed the support and guidance given by ENST faculty and Wrigley Institute staff. Everyone was always willing to talk about their experiences and provide students with post-grad opportunities and resources.”
Gabe Romero ’23
Current Role: Environmental Planner
Employer: Dudek
How ENST shaped my career: “The Environmental Studies program solidified my passion for protecting the environment and sustainability. The research skills I learned really helped prepare me for the professional world, especially working in environmental policy. In particular, my coursework familiarized me with legislation I am directly working with in my new job.”
Wrigley Institute/ENST highlight: “The ENST program is very special to me because of the opportunities I was exposed to and all the amazing professors I was fortunate enough to have. The two Maymesters I attended at the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island were hands-down the best experiences of my entire college career. ENST is an amazing program that changed my life!”