Virtual Career Panel: “Working in the Environmental Field: New and Emerging Careers”

By Walker Laughlin

At WELLKIND, we’ve made an internship and vocational education course a key part of our innovative Forestry Program. WELLKIND’s Internship Program for Forest Management and Communications offers academic and vocational training in forestry policy, practices and science, as well as environmental communications. In this way, we prepare high school students to be the next generation of green professionals and environmental stewards.

To conclude this summer’s 8-week session, we are excited to announce an upcoming panel on green careers. On Monday, August 9, from noon to 1:30 PM PST, a team of leaders in environmental science, industry and activism will give advice on how to succeed in new and exciting eco-friendly industries like soil science and regenerative agriculture. 

The career panel will be broadcast internationally over Zoom. After speaking on their backgrounds and offering advice, the panelists will touch on new developments in their fields. Then, we’ll bring our audience into the discussion in a group Q and A session.

While our immediate audience is our cohort of WELLKIND Forestry interns, the webinar is open to the public for anyone to attend. Don’t miss this free opportunity to learn how you can break into rapidly growing green careers!

Why Attend?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2020), green careers are expected to grow rapidly in the next few decades. Starting from 2016, by 2026, jobs for environmental scientists and specialists will have grown by over 11%, environmental engineers by 9%, and conservation scientists by over 6%. 

Career panels are a great way to take an inside look into different industries and professions. Moreover, they give opportunities to build a professional network. According to HubSpot, networking helps people get as many as 85 percent of all jobs!

Networking as early as highschool helps young people like our interns gain access to important internships in college. Seventy percent of companies offer full-time jobs to their college interns once they’ve graduated, according to CompareCamp (2020). 

OUR SPEAKERS

Cameron Cesa is a scientist and outdoorsman. He is a current graduate student in Environmental Studies at California State University, Fullerton. Cameron’s research project is focused on a comparison of carbon isotope ratios between two plant species native to Southern California. The objective of his research is to see what the physiology of these plants can tell us about their geographic distribution. He told us, “When I’m not researching or writing, I’m out hanging by my fingertips off of hard boulder problems, fly fishing, or reading books. My favorite place to spend time is in the Eastern Sierra.”

Catriona MacGregor Glazebrook is the Executive Director of WELLKIND. Glazebrook holds a Masters in Science and Natural Resource Management, has prepared hundreds of habitat management plans over thirty years, and led conservation efforts for one of the largest sanctuaries in the United States, stretching over 600 miles. Under her leadership, this conservation program resulted in the comeback of an endangered species and boosted the populations of many related species in the region. The program was nominated by the public and scientists and recognized by the Governor of Texas for its significant impact, earning a blue ribbon in conservation. 

Catriona also has significant experience in education and career coaching. She prepared national and international education programs for K-12, created and delivered teacher training seminars for K-12, developed MOUs with public school districts, and significantly expanded the reach of a national environmental education program. Before WELLKIND, Catriona directed another environmental vocational education program, EarthScope Media’s Academy for Sustainability and Communications, for over 15 years. In that time, the program served over 1,000 youth ages 15-20.  Students learned to write, produce and edit their own radio stories and blogs. EarthScope Media was a signature radio show that broadcasted 52 stories a year (once a week). These stories aired on San Francisco’s KALW 91.7 and other stations, reaching thousands of local and national listeners. 

Image Credit: CaraMiaPhotography.com

Jack Gescheidt is an environmental photographer and activist. He has been a professional photographer since 1987. His “TreeSpirit” project began in 2003. These photographs “are created and exhibited to raise awareness of the critical role trees play in our lives, both globally and personally. It has become the world’s largest collection of its kind, and continues to grow.” “TreeSpirit” combines Jack’s childhood passions for nature, people, and words, with adult passions of photography, writing, and environmental advocacy.  It is fueled by some of his most powerful childhood memories in the countryside: exploring streams and ponds, playing in fields and in the downpour of thunderstorms, and of course climbing trees. TreeSpirit imagery has appeared in media around the world.

Jared Holmes is an American zoologist, ecologist and conservation biologist located in the Hill Country of Central Texas.  He grew up in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, chasing lizards and snakes with his brothers and biologist father.  He went on to attend Texas A&M University, where he studied zoology and vertebrate zoology. Upon finishing his education, he became a research scientist in the American Southwest, studying snake and lizard diversity and distribution.

Jared's specialty is scientific communication and reading landscapes to understand community structure.  He uses his knowledge and experience to help give his often misunderstood reptilian friends a better reputation and to help advise land owners on making best use of their property for biodiversity.  

He has been the Zoologist and Director of Education for the Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve in Johnson City Texas for over 8 years.

Zachary Ellis is Co-Owner and Operator of Catalyst BioAmendments. Additionally, he is a board member of the Sierra Soil Biology Association. Zachary told us,

“Passion for, and connection to nature led me to co-founding Catalyst BioAmendments in October of 2018.  Driven by a desire to engage in meaningful work and a regenerative future, we set out to create a business to help growers and farmers transition to biological, sustainable practices.  As an owner-operated company, my daily roles are wide reaching, from educating and consulting with clients, to sales and public outreach.  My biggest contribution to the team, however, has been designing our physical and mechanical operating systems, ensuring that daily operations are running smoothly and on solid ground.

I am  honored to be a voice for the unseen universe beneath our feet that is essential to healthy ecosystems and a healthy planet. There is no greater joy than watching people light up when that universe is unveiled before their own eyes.  When I am not facilitating microbial life, I'm immersing myself in the beauty of the natural world. Find me chasing sunrises and sunsets, exploring new places and cultures, or in a sea of people at a music festival.”