Alumni
Alumni
Careers that make a difference
Graduates of the School of Environmental Sustainability pursue careers in diverse fields. Meet recent graduates advancing sustainability and making a difference in business, government, and nonprofit sectors.
Carter Cranberg
Project Officer at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
After graduating from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's in environmental science, Carter Cranberg found his calling in the SES master's degree program in environmental science and sustainability. Under Associate Professor Reuben Keller's mentorship, Carter researched aquatic plants and crayfish in local ponds, a study that extended beyond his graduation. His graduate school experience honed his critical thinking and project management skills, positioning him for success in his current role as a project officer at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In this position, he combines his environmental science knowledge with financial acumen to help state and tribal groups secure EPA grants for clean air initiatives. Carter has adapted to the complexities of government work and thrives on collaborating with fellow environmental enthusiasts.
Maggie Nykaza
Garden communications manager at The Organic Gardener, Ltd.
Maggie Nykaza graduated in 2018 with a major in environmental science: food systems and sustainable agriculture and a minor in French. Maggie worked as an Urban Agriculture Program intern from her sophomore year through her senior year. The experience helped her expand her understanding of food systems and their impacts on our health, communities, and the environment. Maggie now works as the garden communications manager at The Organic Gardener, Ltd. in Northbrook, IL. The business builds and maintains organic vegetable gardens throughout the Midwest for residential clients, prominent companies, and schools. Maggie enjoys working in an industry she is passionate about. She also loves knowing that her work positively impacts many individuals and their relationships with sustainable food.
Zach Samaras
Technical assistance engineer at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center
Zach Samaras discovered a passion for waste management while in the SES master's degree program. He now works as a technical assistance engineer at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, helping companies and organizations find new ways to minimize waste. Zach said his SES experience prepared him to work with people and businesses to solve sustainability challenges. He emphasized the impact of two courses, Human Dimensions of Conservation and Sustainable Systems: Social Perspectives. "In those classes, I learned about surveying and focus groups, which is what I do now in my current job. I also learned that you can't force change onto others. We have to listen and learn from them in order to help them," Zach said. "I still look back at some of my old textbooks and notes from those classes to determine the best way to approach a sustainability challenge and find a solution that works for all parties involved."
Opportunities Across Sectors
SES prepares students for meaningful careers in many fields, including business, government, energy, nonprofit, education, agriculture, public health, and more. The graph shows some sectors where our graduates work today. The sizes of the wedges indicate the percentages of graduates working in each area.
After graduating from the University of Iowa with a bachelor's in environmental science, Carter Cranberg found his calling in the SES master's degree program in environmental science and sustainability. Under Associate Professor Reuben Keller's mentorship, Carter researched aquatic plants and crayfish in local ponds, a study that extended beyond his graduation. His graduate school experience honed his critical thinking and project management skills, positioning him for success in his current role as a project officer at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In this position, he combines his environmental science knowledge with financial acumen to help state and tribal groups secure EPA grants for clean air initiatives. Carter has adapted to the complexities of government work and thrives on collaborating with fellow environmental enthusiasts.
Maggie Nykaza graduated in 2018 with a major in environmental science: food systems and sustainable agriculture and a minor in French. Maggie worked as an Urban Agriculture Program intern from her sophomore year through her senior year. The experience helped her expand her understanding of food systems and their impacts on our health, communities, and the environment. Maggie now works as the garden communications manager at The Organic Gardener, Ltd. in Northbrook, IL. The business builds and maintains organic vegetable gardens throughout the Midwest for residential clients, prominent companies, and schools. Maggie enjoys working in an industry she is passionate about. She also loves knowing that her work positively impacts many individuals and their relationships with sustainable food.
Zach Samaras discovered a passion for waste management while in the SES master's degree program. He now works as a technical assistance engineer at the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center, helping companies and organizations find new ways to minimize waste. Zach said his SES experience prepared him to work with people and businesses to solve sustainability challenges. He emphasized the impact of two courses, Human Dimensions of Conservation and Sustainable Systems: Social Perspectives. "In those classes, I learned about surveying and focus groups, which is what I do now in my current job. I also learned that you can't force change onto others. We have to listen and learn from them in order to help them," Zach said. "I still look back at some of my old textbooks and notes from those classes to determine the best way to approach a sustainability challenge and find a solution that works for all parties involved."