Â鶹ӰԺ

Two Fridays ago, the Â鶹ӰԺ Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) hosted its first-ever Career in the Environment Fair, an exciting and impactful event designed to connect undergraduate and graduate students with professionals working in environmental science, sustainability, and conservation. The event provided a unique opportunity for students in ENVS and the Masters of the Environment (MENV) Graduate Program to engage with industry leaders, gain valuable career insights, and explore internships and job opportunities in the growing field of environmental sustainability.

State of the Field Panel: Insights from Industry Experts

The day kicked off with an engaging State of the Field panel discussion, where students heard directly from top professionals working across the public, private, and non-profit sectors. The panelists included:

• Carlos Fernández – Colorado State Director at The Nature Conservancy
• Erin Decker – Director of Renewable Energy at Schneider Electric
• Jennifer Gimbel – Senior Water Policy Scholar at Colorado Water Center
• Matt Abbott – Corporate Sustainability Senior Manager at VF Corporation (Apparel and Footwear)
• Sarah R. Horn – Senior City Planner at the City of Â鶹ӰԺ

These industry leaders tackled important questions from students, such as:

• How has the environmental field evolved over the past decade?
• What skills are essential for a career in sustainability today?
• How do professionals manage self-care and prevent burnout while working on urgent environmental challenges?

From climate policy and corporate sustainability to renewable energy solutions and urban planning, each panelist shared personal experiences, career advice, and insights on navigating a constantly evolving field.

Career Exploration Expo: Connecting Students with

Ìý°¿±è±è´Ç°ù³Ù³Ü²Ô¾±³Ù¾±±ð²õ

Following the panel, students had the chance to network with professionals during the Career Exploration Expo, where 18 organizations were present to discuss internships, jobs, and career pathways. Employers and organizations in attendance included:

• The Nature Conservancy
• Schneider Electric
• City of Â鶹ӰԺ
• Growing Gardens
• Colorado Energy Office
• Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Sanctuary
• Garden to Table
• Lincoln Hills Care
• Design Workshop
• CU Environmental Center
• Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES)
• Cal-Wood Education Center
• Resource Central
• OneEnergy Renewables
• Friends of Coal Creek
• Colorado Parks & Wildlife

It was inspiring to see students engaging in meaningful conversations with employers, environmental advocates, and sustainability experts, all working toward building a greener and more resilient future.

A Huge Thank You to Our Participants!

We extend our deepest gratitude to our panelists, employer representatives, students, and staff who made this event such a success. The Career in the Environment Fair was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from professionals, explore career opportunities, and build connections in the sustainability sector.

As environmental and sustainability careers continue to expand, events like this are essential in helping students gain industry knowledge, develop professional networks, and prepare for impactful careers in environmental science, policy, and conservation.

We look forward to making next year’s event even bigger and better! If you're interested in learning more about career opportunities in sustainability or staying updated on future events, be sure to follow CU Â鶹ӰԺ ENVS and MENV on social media.