Columbia University, NYC, 2009
Environmental Careers, An Interdisciplinary Job Panel
A Seminar for the Graduate Program in Climate and Society
Columbia University, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Instructor: Tara DePorte
Seminar Goals: To teach students some of the professional expectations from a diversity of job fields, including local and international non-profits, local and international government, journalism/news, private sector consulting, and academia.
Description: Students will have the chance to hear presentations from representatives of a diversity of interdisciplinary sectors. Panelists will be selected to represent potential sector opportunities for graduating C&S students and will talk to the expectations, responsibilities, and obstacles within their respective fields. Students will have the opportunity to both participate in Q&A sessions with the full panel and break-down sessions where they will "pitch" their proposals to panelists. Students will also be working with panelists on how they can develop their resumé, as well as their interview skills and overall presentation skills in a highly-competitive climate.
Preparation: Please, bring a short one-page summary resumé to be shared in breakout sessions. Also, notify Tara of your first and second choice for panelists to work with during breakout sessions by midnight on Sunday, August 2nd.
Panel Participants
Eric Axelrod (confirmed)
Environmental Officer for Office of Housing
United States Office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Calgary Brown (confirmed)
Co-President
Net Impact, New York Chapter
Antuan Cannon (confirmed)
Co-Founder and Director of Business Development
Envirolution
Program Director, Win-Win Campaign
James Feeley (confirmed)
Management Analyst & Recruiter
United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2
Gail Hintz (confirmed)
Assistant Regional Attorney
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), Region 2
Adjunct Professor
Pace Law School
Diana F. Pangestu, LEED AP (confirmed)
Energy $mart Communities Coordinator
New York State Energy Research Development Authority (NYSERDA)
Federica Pietracci (confirmed)
Major Groups Programme Coordinator
Division for Sustainable Development, UN-DESA
Nicole Rousseau (confirmed)
VP, Retail Marketing
HSBC Climate Initiative Representative
Shino Tanikawa (confirmed)
District Manager
New York City Soil & Water Conservation District
Con Edison Representative (invited)
Mayor's Office of Long-term Planning and Sustainability Representative (invited)
Class Activities
Panel Discussion (1 hour)
Invited panelists will provide students with insight into their background, organizations or agencies, and other components of the "environmental workplace". Panelists will be asked to address some of the following:
What does your agency/organization do?
What is your personal background?
How did you come to your current position?
How would you describe your job?
What are your key responsibilities?
Can you describe a "usual" week for you?
What is the overall work environment?
What types of interactions do you have with colleagues, employers, employees?
What are some of the positive components of your work? Negative?
What salary ranges are there within your agency? What is a starting salary?
When hiring, what do you or your colleagues look for in applicants?
What is the hiring process at your organization/agency?
What is the interview process?
When you are looking at an application for employment, how much do you weigh life experience? Education? Other?
Where do you see yourself in two years?
What is your professional view of interdisciplinary majors within your field?
What is the "first steps" or entry-level work like in your organization?
How much do you dictate your own projects or output?
How many hours per week do you work? Starting salary? Current salary?
Do you hire international applicants?
Group Q&A with panelists (30 minutes)
Workshop Resumés and Interviews (1 hour 20 minutes)
Students will work in small groups (up to 8 participants) with panelists to review their resumés, answer set "interview" questions on the spot, and get one-on-one advice. Panelists will talk with students about specific gaps they may see in their presentation, "pitch", or experience base. All panelist will be asked to prepare interview questions for their small group of students. Each student will have the chance to anwer and get feedback for one interview question.
Closing Remarks (10 minutes)
