Alumni Spotlight - Becky Haworth

I graduated from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo in 2018 with a B.S in Environmental Earth Sciences, and finished the EPM program in June 2025 with a specialization in sustainable food systems. While in EPM, I worked as an Environmental Scientist at CalRecycle, a role I started in 2020. In my free time, I like to hang out with my dog, go hiking with my husband, and try to find the best local brewery trivia night!

What do you currently do for work, and what do you enjoy about the role?

I am currently a Senior Environmental Scientist Specialist at CalRecycle, where I work as a lead technical and policy expert on extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws, programs, and principles. In this role, I enjoy having the freedom to pick projects and research that interest me, and being able to exercise creativity in finding solutions to policy and process problems. I find working in waste management to be very rewarding and ever-evolving! Many of the skills and tools I utilize in my day-to-day, such as project management, time management, and collaboration, are skills I gained and built on during my time in EPM. 

What drew you to EPM and how has the program prepared you for the workforce?

I had worked for the state for three years when I started EPM in 2023 and was looking for ways to grow professionally and open opportunities for a slight career shift. I was drawn to the program because of its focus on building real-world policy and professional skills. I have no interest in conducting research or working in academia, and found EPM to be the perfect opportunity to grow my network and build on my existing skills and knowledge of environmental policy and management in California. I also appreciated that EPM is a Master of Science program, not a Master of Public Policy or some other degree. An M.S. can be more beneficial to helping you promote faster within the Environmental Scientist series at the State!

Do you have advice for professionals looking to advance in a state job?

Moving up the ladder at the State can be difficult. You cannot get “promoted” in a state job; you have to apply and interview for promotional opportunities just like everyone else. These jobs can be difficult to get because there are limited opportunities and a lot of people who want them. If you initially qualify for a more senior position, but are having a difficult time landing a position, it can be helpful to apply for and get into a more entry level position first, especially if you have a department or program you are particularly interested in. Already working for the state and understanding how a department or agency works from an internal perspective can be very helpful when applying. No one can help you get a job, but conducting informational interviews with people in the type of position you want can maybe provide you with information that might help when drafting your application package or preparing for a job interview. I am always happy to talk to potential applicants or review application packages (e.g., statement of qualifications) before submission. Preparing extensively for an interview and understanding how these interviews work and are scored is one of the biggest pieces of advice I can give! 

Can you share a memorable experience or accomplishment from your time here as a student?

I had so many memorable experiences as an EPM student. A few that come to mind are: 

• Environmental law mock negotiations and being voted top negotiator for my group! This was something I was able to talk about in a recent job interview as well
• The talent show! 
• Presenting at the Policy Clinic Symposium! What a great opportunity to learn about really cool projects and what everyone in the cohort had spent most of their second year working on.

Share a fun fact about yourself!

After graduating college, I worked as a lab tech at a large-scale winery! It was so cool to learn more about the wine industry, how wine is made, and all the chemistry behind it. If I wasn't working in environmental policy, I’d hope to be working in the wine industry. Maybe a second career once I retire!!