Applied Climate MEng

Towards the end of my time at Michigan, I applied to the Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) program and was accepted. It is a competitive leadership development program with the federal government that sets you up for a career in public service. I actually heard about the program while working on a project at Michigan. Having the opportunity to network with people in a variety of fields related to climate allowed me to learn a lot about potential careers. The experience I gained working on projects during my time as an Applied Climate student undoubtedly helped as well. Applying the knowledge I was learning in the classroom to real-world projects while working with GLISA really gave me the chance to learn how to operate in the professional world. A lot of positions these days want some experience, even at the entry-level, and the hands-on experience I got at GLISA helped me check this box and prepared me for starting my career off strong.

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

My Master’s degree didn’t involve a thesis, but that didn’t make it any less valuable. My degree was more hands-on, where we applied what we learned to real-world projects, oftentimes working with GLISA. When I worked with GLISA, I didn’t feel like a student. I felt like it was my job, and was treated as such. I contributed to projects on teams and occasionally on my own. I gained a lot of experience communicating climate change information, and helping with vulnerability assessments, both of which are helping me in my current position. Employers liked seeing that I had working experience. I was more than just a Master’s degree, I had shown that I was capable of working and applying what I learned, and that opened a lot of doors for me. 

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

During my time at Michigan, I worked for Athletics, so that was a huge like. I truly loved that job. When I worked with GLISA, I also helped during the Great Lakes Adaptation Forum (GLAF), which I would highly recommend attending if it occurs during your time. It’s great for networking, and you learn a lot about climate adaptation in the region. Some advice would be to enjoy your time at Michigan. Ann Arbor is an awesome city. Of course, you’re there to study and learn, and that’s a priority, but it’s important to take time to have fun outside of your education. It helps alleviate stress, and you’ll create lasting memories. I would also recommend trying to get to a football game. The voice of James Earl Jones still gives me chills in the best possible way.

Though my job is in a different field, what I learned in this program still provides me some support. No matter what kind of project you are involved in, collecting information as much as you can, using your professional skills to understand it and explaining your work to ordinary people in understandable words would always lead to a good job.

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

My favorite classes are 480 and 530. These two courses provide me the ability to use my professional skills solving real world problems. Besides, these courses also give me a chance using speech and posts to help people understand complicated climate terms.

I currently work as a Research Scientist at the National Institute of Aerospace.  I analyze CALIPSO satellite-derived smoke plume injection height data for wildfires in North America. I also work with both diurnal smoke plume behavior, as well as climatological wildfire patterns in the United States. Previously, I have worked as an intern at NASA Langley, doing archiving of plane fuel emissions and preparing and launching Ozone Sondes for the OWLETS 2017 campaign. In the 6 months leading up to my permanent job position, I analyzed US wildfire smoke behavior and historical burn patterns in the US.

What excites you about your career?

As a research scientist, I am always excited to tackle new challenges in data. Part of my job involves analyzing and graphically representing discrepancies between data products, which allows me to apply both my creative and logical skills. The data products I work on have real-life applications for people’s health and safety, so I feel motivated to analyze as much as I can to make a positive impact.

Reflection on Time Spent at UM

• Ann Arbor will forever be my “hoMe”! I loved how U of M was so incorporated with the local communities and how normal it was to have and participate in diverse cultures and educational perspectives. 
• I loved how U of M always had some sort of event or celebration going on, and how easy it was to participate in our community. I believe that the encouragement and openness of my professors allowed me to explore and find what I liked to do. 
• My only regret is that I wish I had tried and participated in more school clubs and gone to more open houses in my early undergrad.
• Favorite Student Org: The American Meteorological Society because it allowed my classmates and I to bond over our common climate and meteorology interests and created close-knit friendships that I still value to this day.
• Favorite Class: CLIMATE 462 Instruments for Atmospheric & Space Sciences because it was hands-on building of scientific instruments and taught me the value of calibration and understanding how data is sampled. It was truly a unique class!

Advice to Students

Explore any topic you find interesting. There are so many opportunities to incorporate your interests into your class load, and by talking with other students and professors you may find a passion you never even knew was a possibility. Diversity of classes leads to better interdisciplinary solutions to future problems! 

What do you like to do outside of work?

I really enjoy exploring local parks and nature trails. I feel like I connect more with my job and get more meaning from it when I can see the ecosystems that are represented as numbers in my work. Observing nature’s beauty reminds me of why climate change study is so important!

After graduating with my BS, I went on to work as a GIS Technician for Stark County, Ohio. It gave me a lot of valuable real-world problem-solving skills that I did not get while in the classroom setting. That position also led me to pursue my Master’s degree because I realized I wanted to use the technical skills I had picked up while working in GIS, but wanted to incorporate my atmospheric science background more too. The Applied Climate program seemed perfect for my background and interests. The curriculum tied together my experiences and allowed me to get an engineering background as well to add another facet to my knowledge. Working with GLISA to develop solutions throughout my graduate experience allowed me to work again on developing solutions to real-world problems while also continuing to learn in the classroom. It was the best of both worlds. That problem-solving mentality, along with a passion for public service, led me to find another government position in my home state with Ohio EPA’s Division on Air Pollution Control. While I am out of the classroom now, the fast-changing technology used in air pollution control is keeping me on my toes and satisfying my love of learning that grew from my education experiences; my engineering courses have helped me better understand the unique processes at each of the facilities we regulate, and the teamwork I learned through (sometimes difficult) group projects are forever useful in an office setting.

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

I think the biggest difference and asset between my degree and others, aside from the great school name and recognition, is the experience I got to work with a government organization like GLISA. The team is wonderful and they allowed me to dive in and tackle climate change issues that have large-scale effects on multiple facets of today’s society. I could talk about those experiences while interviewing for jobs and it gave me an edge compared to other candidates. 

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Take advantage of all of the great resources available! There are so many valuable tools for U of M students, use them! Professional development resources, networking resources, health resources, it goes on and on. These are things I definitely miss now that I’m not a student.

For the last few months, I have been working as a solar electrician for a small startup named Modern Mill Solar in Royal Oak, MI learning how to install and maintain residential solar projects. My next career goal is to work in rural regions of developing countries to bring clean, reliable, and affordable energy to regions that have not had access to it yet, or regions that seem like might use fossil fuels if other options are not available. For this reason, I am spending the next two years learning the ropes of renewable energy design and installation, so that when I am 25, I can apply for field positions with the U.N. volunteer program.

Previously, I was an Associate Project Officer working as the first office member facilitating the growth of the Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas Information System (IG3IS) within the World Meteorological Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

What excites you about your career?

The opportunity to work on the global multi-faceted issue that is climate change, and knowing that because it is multi-faceted, my career can have several and varied pasts.

Reflection on Time Spent at UM

• I like the small college feel of the CLaSP department, with the big college resources of UM. I felt the CLaSP department was a dynamic, innovative, and supportive team that I learned a ton from and I hope to contribute to as I continue my career.
• Favorite Student Orgs: UMAMS, Climate Blue, Michigan GIVErs
• Favorite Classes: CLaSP 480, CLaSP 530, CLaSP 370, Environ 365 (International Climate Policy)

Advice to Students

Do as much as you can while you are at  U of M. There are so many incredible people, resources, and ideas constantly surrounding you on that campus. Take advantage of them by going to office hours and getting to know your professors, attending as many panels and special events as possible, joining student organizations that push your professional and social boundaries, etc. This will help you figure out who you are, what you want out of life, and how your skills can best contribute to society.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Running, mountain climbing (I climbed Kilimanjaro in Tanzania & Salkantay and Machu Picchu in Peru), studying language (I studied Spanish and French and I am looking to study Swahili and Arabic next), and volunteering.

My career motivation has focused on interfaces between science research, application, and policy. While in graduate school I had opportunities to work on a range of projects— including Great Lakes free-thaw cycles, precipitation, and harmful algal blooms, and land-atmosphere carbon exchange. Encouragement and guidance from multiple mentors as well as shared experiences with other students were pivotal for my growth as a scientist within a broader community. In addition to research work, I strove to maintain a connection to applied science and stakeholder engagement through the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Program (GLISA). I was grateful to be asked to return to GLISA after my Ph.D. in a temporary climatologist position. On and off-campus, I led interdisciplinary efforts focused on science policy communication and participation, including community events and op-ed writing. I was heavily involved with Climate Blue, the campus group that supports the University of Michigan Climate Delegation to the U.N. international climate negotiations. In 2017, I was selected as a U of M climate delegate and attended the negotiations in Bonn, Germany. Through all of these experiences, I developed skills to think critically, communicate to different audiences, and work across boundaries which have supported my growth as a professional moving from academia to consulting and government work environments.

How does your Master’s degree differentiate you from others?

The Applied Climate M.Eng program provided me with the flexibility to explore coursework and rapidly accrue experience in climate data analysis, research translation, and stakeholder engagement. I was able to work alongside other Masters students, faculty, and local practitioners on problem-solving for targeted climate issues. 

Reflection on Time Spent at U-M

Graduate school is often overwhelming and can compound challenges a student may already be facing. Participating in groups and activities, both on and off-campus, allowed me to fight stretches of isolation. I also utilized depression counseling and support services throughout my graduate career and into my professional life. Friends and mentors were immensely helpful to me in maintaining motivation. I really enjoyed working with other students in Climate Blue, the Michigan Earth Science Women’s Network, and the Michigan University-wide Sustainability and Environment initiative. Living in Ann Arbor, I was able to maintain hobbies in running and salsa dance, and also met many inspiring local climate leaders.