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Involving Students

  • 1.  Involving Students

    Posted 05-11-2020 14:08
    Hi all!

    How do you think we can best bring college graduates into the environmental / sustainability career field?

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    Brandi Kelp
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  • 2.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-12-2020 06:40
    Edited by Cindy He 05-12-2020 11:50
    Hello! 

    I've worked in the higher education industry for 10 years. From my experience, some of the best ways to recruit current students/graduating seniors into the environmental/sustainability career field is to: 

    1. Partner with the local university or community colleges', Career Services' department and regularly update these partners on current/ upcoming internships or job opportunities so they may encourage qualified students to apply.
    2. Send a company's outreach or recruiting representative(s) to the local universities' job fairs to engage and recruit young talents
    3. Collaborate with other environmental/sustainability-oriented organizations in the local area to organize a big environmental/sustainability job fair at a centralized location and advertise this job fair to local universities & community colleges to encourage "college graduate" job-seekers to attend.

    I hope some of my recommendations help!

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    Cindy He
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-12-2020 16:10
    Hi Brandi,

    My first thought is to start earlier.  If you have students in mind that are on the cusp and interested in environmental issues, EarthxFilm offers internships for college and high school students.  We also have programming such as the Youth Film Competition and the EarthxFilm Youth Reports (participants from age 9-24) and cub reporters programs that organically involve youth in environmental issues.  There are many youth led organizations and EarthxFilm, EarthX and our partner Planet911 create connections and opportunities for youth involvement.  We also have a young professionals group within EarthX for those out of school. 

    I would also encourage exposure to professionals and careers in a variety of fields.  As we move forward, every industry will need be more aware of environmental impact, sustainability and adapting to protect our environment.  I would encourage young people to find their own passion whether its energy or animal conservation or parks and wildlife and challenge them to learn how those industries can have a positive impact on the environment. We hope to see you and the youth you know at EarthX both virtual and hopefully in the unvirtual world later in the year.
    Thank you for being a part of EarthxLeague.

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    Melanie Yonks
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-12-2020 12:13
    Hello Brandi,

    Hope you are doing well and staying safe. We have worked with several of the schools around Texas for internships and have hired a couple of folks once they have graduated. NTCRA also started an Environmental Scholarship Program a couple of years ago. 
    https://www.ntcra.org/scholarship/ .  The winners from the past couple years are on the website. EarthX also attends many events at Universities and we work closely with DCCCD on a monthly Speaker Series focused on Environment and Sustainability. I think the more the NGOs and Enviro Groups engage the students the more the Environmental World will look attractive to them.

    I really miss seeing everyone and when this is all over, we have an EarthX Exhibitors party.   Take Care

    Lanny


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    Lanny Shivers
    Business Development Manager
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-13-2020 12:07
    I agree with starting early. My 9th grader is interested in environmental related fields .  But we don't know much about career path.  Also besides evolving with local cleaning events, he is more interested in research but we don't know how to get started.

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    Cindy Du
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-14-2020 09:57
    Good Morning, Cindy!
    Just wanted to let you know about a free, downloadable K-12 curriculum on the EarthX website that spotlights environmental careers in each lesson.  Since different careers are mentioned in each lesson, you may want to check out all of the lessons, even those for younger students. This may be a great reference point for your 9th grader.

    If you do refer to the lessons, please get back with me to let me know how helpful this was!

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    Julie Seymour
    Dallas TX
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-14-2020 10:57
    Thank you so much!!  I just downloaded and we will study. I am so glad that I joined this group.

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    Cindy Du
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-13-2020 13:59
    Hi Brandi!

    What a great question with lot's of great answers from my colleagues.  I might add one additional suggestion and that would be to try volunteering.  It's a wonderful way to see first hand how someone's efforts can help make change. Most universities and colleges are now requiring students to seek service hours so this would be a significant way for them to be expose to some important environmental organizations! If you know of anyone that might be interested in volunteering with EarthX, I'd be happy to visit with them!

    Thanks again!

    Melinda Garde
    Community Engagement, Volunteer Manager 
    EarthX.org

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    Melinda Garde
    Dallas
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Involving Students

    Posted 05-13-2020 14:21
    Thanks! We are looking for volunteering opportunities but we are in Houston area. My 9th grader is planning to startup an environmental related club at his High school.  He just started weekly collecting trash/plastics around neighborhood lake .

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    Cindy Du
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    Original Message