College isn’t just about classes and clubs; it’s also about building skills and experiences that will help you prepare for your future career. This semester, members of the Environmental Leaders Network had several opportunities to meet and learn from professionals.
Career Chat with Dr. Johnson and Troll
Dr. Kirk Johnson, Sant Director of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, and Ray Troll, science illustrator, are renowned individuals in their fields who come together to blend science, art, and history into captivating stories and thought-provoking drawings.
Johnson and Troll came to the swamp this year to recount their adventures searching for fossils across the United States, and promote their books Cruisin’ the Fossil Freeway, Cruisin’ the Fossil Coastline, and Alaska Dinosaurs, Mammoths and More. While they were in town, the Environmental Leaders Network was able to secure an hour of their time to talk to students interested in their work!
During this career chat, students took the opportunity to ask how they got started in their fields, what projects they’ve enjoyed the most, and their thoughts on artificial intelligence and its potential future role in museums.
C3 Networking Presentation
Navigating career fairs, writing resumes and cover letters, and preparing for job interviews can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the University of Florida Career Connections Center (C3) provides information and support to guide you through these processes; though, it can still feel easier said than done.
The ins and outs of networking can be especially daunting for students who don’t know where or how to put themselves out there. For students to learn more about networking and building connections in real time, the Environmental Leaders Network set up an outreach presentation with the C3.
Jason Tillotson, C3’s Career Coach for Early Engagement, gave an engaging presentation on connecting with recruiters, using LinkedIn to connect with professionals, and lesser-known resources offered by the C3.
C3 Sustainability Meet Up
From March 31st to April 9th, the C3 hosted a multi-day event for students to explore sustainable careers. The last of these events was a Sustainability Meet Up that brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and local organizations to converse and make meaningful connections.
Undergraduate and graduate students from a variety of majors were present and had the chance to talk to staff from Alachua Conservation Trust, North Florida Land Trust, the Thompson Earth Systems Institute (TESI), and even the City of Gainesville.
Career Chat with Dr. Sundahl-Platt
Opportunities to connect with professionals and ask career-related questions can be enlightening experiences for students. So, the Environmental Leaders Network set up another Career Chat, this time with one of UF’s very own faculty members!
Dr. Lisa Sundahl-Platt is a founding member of the Florida Institute for Built Environment Resilience (FIBER) and head of the Integrative Prevention Through Design and Sustainable Adaptive Material labs. Through her work, she uses artificial intelligence to investigate sustainable, resilient designs that reduce risks to community and human health.
Students who attended this Career Chat received advice on networking, discussed career pathways in sustainability, and learned more about how statistics can help you explain the value of sustainability work.
Support for these events was provided by a grant from the Smallwood Foundation.
