Alumni Spotlight- Courtney Carpenter
Tell us about your career path since graduation. What led you to your current position, and what does a typical day look like in your role?
I am a Biologist for Environmental Science Associates (ESA), an environmental consulting firm. For two years, I worked with ESA part time as a Field Biologist while completing the EPM program. From this part-time position I was able to conduct my practicum at ESA, which allowed me to assist on Environmental Impact Reports and project monitoring reports. After graduating from EPM, I transitioned to a full-time position with ESA.
My day to day changes depending on the season and I enjoy the variety my job entails. An average week consists of being out on a project site 1-2 days a week, which could be assisting with fisheries work on a research project or monitoring a construction site for compliance with mitigation measures and environmental regulations. When I am not on a project site, I am working on project management tasks, including communicating with our clients, organizing project scheduling, and reviewing state and federal project permits; writing sections for Technical Studies or Environmental Impact Reports; or assisting in drafting permit applications for projects in development.
How did your time in EPM prepare you for your career? Were there specific courses, professors, or experiences that were particularly influential?
EPM was a critical part of my career preparation, providing the policy and management context to my science background. The program expanded my experience with environmental policy, especially CEQA and Clean Water Act in classes like Environmental Law. I was also able to expand my knowledge and understanding of areas of environmental policy that is complementary to my fisheries background, such as water management and urban design. I was able to have a well-rounded exposure to other elements critical to CEQA work that make me a better consultant. I also found the practicicum and policy clinic were critical roles that distinguished EPM from other masters programs and helps set students up for success in their career, building skills not found in traditional classroom structures.
What has been your most significant professional achievement or challenge, and how did you navigate it? What skills have been most valuable in your success?
The most significant challenge that comes to mind is navigating the world no longer as a student, but as a career professional. After going to school for my entire life, not taking a break between undergrad and grad school, working was an adjustment from learning a new type of time management to adapting to office culture and more. I found that completing the practicum and policy clinic components of the EPM program was a dip into the professional world that helped me prepare. Both components helped me build the necessary skills and gain experience to succeed in the professional setting.
What advice would you give to current students who are interested in pursuing a similar career path? Are there specific steps they should take or opportunities they should seek out?
My advice for current students would be to take advantage of all of the networking opportunities provided by the EPM program. Those connections will be beneficial as you begin to search for jobs. The EPM program is reciprocal, you will gain the most benefit from it if you invest in the opportunities the program provides. I also recommend being adventurous in learning about different sectors of the environmental field as they all offer such unique opportunities, and you will likely find sectors you do or do not mesh well with.
What are you most excited about in your field right now? Where do you see your industry or career heading in the next few years?
A new development in the field that has exciting potential is the recent petition to list the western burrowing owl under the California Endangered Species Act. It is exciting to be working on reports, permits and mitigation measures that are novel in regards to burrowing owls. The potential listing of the species makes all observations of these unique owls even more valuable. With the potential of policy changes to the Federal Endangered Species Act, it is reassuring to see continued research and review of new species for listing and protection on the state level.