School of the Environment Class of 2020

I’m attending Oregon State University in the Fall to study Marine Resource Management in the College of Earth, Atmosphere, and Ocean Science!

Washington State University Vancouver. Last year, I accepted an intern position at Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group. I’m grateful to have applied, it ended up being the best decision for my future career. I’ve been their student intern since May, taking care of our native plant nurseries, plant-care in the field, and assisting two of our project managers during construction season. After graduation, I will begin a full-time position as Stewardship Coordinator with LCFEG. I will continue taking care of our nurseries, along with creating planting designs, volunteer events and developing an educational outreach program for high school students in southwest Washington.

I will be attending San Jose State University in the Fall to study Geology with a specialization in plate tectonics and geological hazard! WSU-Vancouver allowed me to dive into research and find that it is something that I am passionate about. If you find any opportunities you see that you would like on campus, go for them!

Washington State University is where you will find out the type of person you are and the kind of person that you want to be if you are open to all the experiences that come with it. I hope to leave a piece of advice to those after me to go into every class, conversation, and event with a receptive mind and a heart willing to listen. This world is full of so many amazing people and so many difficult situations and circumstances and being aware of all that is out there are the lessons you will get beyond your textbooks and lectures. Also, be sure to ALWAYS introduce yourself to EVERY professor. They are who will uplift you in every way that you allow them, even if they are not in your major. Because even if it sounds cheesy- WSU is a place where the faculty are incredibly dedicated to their students.

I am very excited to start this next chapter of my life as I have accepted a job in Spokane at GN Northern a Geotechnical Engineering and Environmental Consulting firm. I’m incredibly grateful for my wonderful time and every memory I made at Washington State University. I cannot thank the School of the Environment enough for such a great education, giving me the skill set to start my career and valuable life lessons I will forever hold on too. Once again I cannot underemphasize the appreciation I’ve had these past 4 years at WSU and from its community, I am forever grateful to have been a coug. And as always Go Cougs!

It’s hard to ever really know where you are going. As my undergraduate career at WSU Pullman comes to a close, I will be pursuing a master’s in Environmental Science with WSU. Even though a chapter of my life is closing it does not really feel as such. I will be able to continue on in a place many of my friends will be leaving and a place where many of my friends are staying. Graduate school will bring new challenges, experiences, and excitement all to a place I know very well. Four years ago, if you were to ask me what I’d be doing after college, my response would have been one of two things: 1. working for an insect-based food company or 2. growing insects. It turns out I am going to be doing both. I co-founded a company called Planet Bugs, LLC, which covers 1 and 2. The research I am hoping to continue will be related to 2, and how Styrofoam plays a role in all of this. I spent the last year of my undergraduate looking at Styrofoam consumption by mealworms, and my graduate studies will continue this work. There is already so much advice out there in regards to starting college or in life beyond. The only piece I can offer from my own experience is to trust yourself. Trust that you will make the right decision for you. Trust that you will be alright. Trust that the mistakes you make are for a reason. Trust yourself and others will trust you. High school is about finding out who you are, college is about finding out who you are, and life is about finding out who you are. Trust in yourself to find out who you are.

We in the SOE, have collectively learned that the ability to rapidly adapt is crucial. Whether that be due to large scale environmental factors, or small changes that occur in every day life. This final semester really put us to the test on our adaptability. I hope all of the 2020 graduates, take a moment to look back and just be proud of all of our accomplishments. We made it! Thank you to all who played part in preparing us for this next journey. Now, let’s go save the world, and always Go Cougs.