Duke Alumni Careers in Sustainability

Timeline

2025

Description

Affiliated Course

ENV 245 / SUSTAIN 245: Theory and Practice of Sustainability

Summary

This project aimed to support the Duke Career Center in guiding undergraduates interested in sustainability, energy, and climate-related careers. Partnering with the Nicholas Institute, the student team compiled and analyzed interviews with Duke alumni who have pursued diverse paths in these career fields. By organizing alumni data and conducting virtual interviews, the team created case studies to serve as a career exploration resource. The project addressed a growing demand for clarity in sustainability job pathways and was designed to make real-world insights more accessible to Duke students navigating this interdisciplinary field.

Goals

1. Conduct informational interviews with Duke alumni to explore career paths, experiences, career decisions, and perspectives on the future of jobs in their fields.
2. Enhance student career readiness by producing case studies that reflect real-world experience, promote mentorship opportunities, and highlight pathways into climate and sustainability work.  

Experience and Learning Outcomes

The student team collaborated with the Duke Career Center and the Nicholas Institute to develop a career resource focused on Duke alumni working in climate, energy, and sustainability fields. Through this project, students gained valuable skills in qualitative research, thematic analysis, professional communication and outreach, and collaborative project design. They also developed a deeper understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of sustainability careers, including the importance of adaptability, mentorship, and nonlinear career paths. 

Student Recommendations

• Create a publicly accessible archive of interviews: Develop a searchable online database, include filters to help students find relevant alumni to their interests.
• Possible advising changes in the future: Offer early exposure to real-world sustainability careers through partnerships with advising and Career Center.
• Incorporate real-world sustainability application into classes such as seminars and field experiences.

Students

Jack Wilder, Reya Gupta, Felipe Silvestri, Mike Herzog, Ivan Stanisavljevic

Client

Carl Thompson, Duke Career Center 

Other stakeholders

Stacy Peterson, Nicholas Institute for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability