I’m an HBA and chemical engineering dual degree student in my HBA2 year. I love being outside and in nature, and doing activities such as hiking, skiing, and swimming, I want to help protect our natural environment to ensure others get the chance to experience it the way I do, which is why I’m interested in a career in sustainability and environmentalism. In my career I hope to draw on my chemistry and environmental science background from my chemical engineering degree to create a greener and cleaner economy.

What is your personal definition of sustainability? 

I would define sustainability as the practice of minimizing the negative impact of consumers’ and firms’ actions on the planet, plants, animals, and people who inhabit it to ensure the longevity of our societal systems. I think it’s important to include both an environmental (people, plants, and animals) and social (people) aspect to the definition of sustainability, as a system which preserves the Earth and natural resources which fuel it but not the workforce who uphold and power it, or vice versa is not sustainable nor likely to create long-term success and stability.

What role do you see sustainability playing in your professional career?

I see sustainability playing a significant role in my professional career. Environmentalism and social impact are very important to me, and as a consumer and citizen I try to find ways to live and purchase products which contribute to the greater good of people and the planet. I want my future career to reflect the importance of such causes in my life, so I hope to work in a firm or role specifically handling and championing sustainability issues. More specifically, I hope to work for a firm or non-profit with an explicit environmental social purpose. However, I am unsure of what subdiscipline of sustainability issues is most of interest to me, which is why I’m hoping to join the Sustainability Certificate program to gain more exposure to these different aspects of the field to guide my future recruiting efforts.

What sustainability projects have you been engaged in?

This past year I was the Director of Finance for the Western University chapter of Student Energy, an advocacy-based organization aiming to promote cleaner energy solutions in local communities. I led an initiative to raise funding for a solar panel electric car charging port at the downtown London YMCA. We also ran events to connect different environmental groups on campus to create a stronger sustainability network. I have also worked as an outdoor educator at the Evergreen Brickworks conservation area in Toronto, where I designed and ran nature-based programming for children aged 6-11. During these activities I taught them about sustainability concepts such as biodiversity, habitat loss and conservation areas, and how we play a role in protecting the environments around us. Lastly, as part of my personal sustainability initiatives I started eating a vegan diet over two years ago to reduce my own impact on the planet and animals. Since becoming vegan I have even inspired others in my circle to adopt vegan or vegetarian diets to live a more empathetic and sustainable lifestyle.