Thomas Lee, '22

What is your role, and how does sustainability intersect with your work responsibilities?

I am a research assistant focusing on the decentralization of decision-making for natural resources. It is a mix of environmental, social, and political science research. This is important for sustainability because, as we continue to address environmental challenges, it is more important than ever for communities to be able to make decisions regarding their natural landscapes for themselves. Decentralization can help establish the long-term health of our ecosystems and local communities.

Did you always plan to work in sustainability? If not, how did you make the jump?

I wanted to, but I did not initially at the beginning of my career. I made the job by searching for many different graduate school programs and reaching out to professors at those schools to see where I could make the jump.

What are a job incumbent's "must-haves" in a sustainability-focused role or task

Prospective that sustainability problems are interdisciplinary.

What advice would you give to current Robins School students interested in pursuing careers in sustainability?

If there's something that interests you in this field, take the chance and go for it. Working on things that you care about will keep you motivated in your day-to-day.

Are there any books, courses, podcasts, or other resources you recommend to understand the various themes and career options in sustainability? 

How We Got Here Podcast (by UR Geography Professor Stephanie Spera) is inspiring to hear other people doing this type of work, and you get to hear interesting stories about people taking very different paths to get there.