Environmental Studies Alumni Stories
Ben Hagedon
Current job and employer: Inventory Forester with Washington State department of Natural Resources
What experiences at WWU best prepared you for life after graduation? All the jobs I've had since finishing my master's degree have been strictly data collection. So I guess the most relevant skill that I gained while at WWU would be how to use Excel.
M.S., Environmental StudiesClass of 2020
Alison Stevens
Where are they now? M.S student at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.
What do you enjoy about your work? Pursuing interests in STEM while teaching undergraduate students is equally challenging and rewarding! Always learning!
What advice would you give to current Environmental Studies students at WWU? Even though ES seems broad, hone in on your interests within it all the same. It's not a throwaway major. It's actually quite a valuable one, given the scope and breadth of opportunity you have to whittle away at what empassions you. ES is inherently interdisciplinary, which is a factor that all of academia and, frankly, all fields should embrace and incorporate. You get a head start!
B.A., Environmental StudiesClass of 2020
Jessica Martin
Current job and employer: Recreation Ranger with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks
What experiences at WWU best prepared you for life after graduation? My job as a student admissions representative for the Office of Admissions at WWU best prepared me for life after graduation. I was able to gain valuable work experiences that helped me obtain employment opportunities after graduation. Additionally, many of my environmental science and environmental studies courses provided me with an amazing foundational understanding of the environment and the world around us that I still draw on in my work today.
B.A., Environmental Studies, Geography EmphasisClass of 2019
Daphne Condon
Where are they now? Ph.D Student at UC Davis
What do you enjoy about your work? I love to research! It’s exactly why I’ve kept going to school.
What advice would you give to current Environmental Studies students at WWU? Classes will be hard, but you will learn SO MUCH. Your knowledge is so critical in this day and age. Don’t give up, and remember - you WILL make a difference somewhere, somehow!
B.A., Environmental Policy EmphasisClass of 2018
Shelby Kremenich
Current job and employer: Government Relations Coordinator employed by the Seattle Aquarium
What experiences at WWU best prepared you for life after graduation? The "Spring Block" program in the environmental education major, joining clubs on campus, and being involved in local politics in the Bellingham/Whatcom County community.
B.A., Environmental EducationClass of 2017
Andrew Wise
Current job and employer: Wilderness Ranger with the National Park Service
What experiences at WWU best prepared you for life after graduation? I was surrounded by a community of people who saw the value in this kind of work. I was given an education in environmental ethics that helped me to appreciate the importance of positions like this one. Even my time running on the cross country and track team helped to build the fitness necessary to do this job well and my position working in the outdoor center allowed me to learn how to manage a cache of mountain equipment, an important piece of my job now.
B.A. Environmental Policy EmphasisClass of 2017