Career Roadmap
Allison's work combines: Environment & Nature, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Find a mentor. Having a professional mentor that can help you evaluate opportunities and work through professional challenges can be a real asset. It's not absolutely necessary—I didn't have one—but if I were to go back to my early career, a mentor could've helped me get to where I am a little faster or with less confusion. The best way to find a mentor is to have a lot of conversations with people. If you're interested in someone's role, reach out and ask them for an informational interview.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Environmental Studies
University of Southern California
Graduate Degree
Environmental Science & Management
University of California, Santa Barbara
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I always had an appreciation for nature growing up.
2.
I went to college to study environmental engineering because I knew that engineers made more money, but I quickly realized that I wanted to go down a more people-centric and multidisciplinary path.
3.
I switched my major and graduated with a degree in environmental studies.
4.
After graduating, I decided to pursue a master’s degree in environmental science and management—the program offered more involved focuses, which really helped me find my footing in the field.
5.
After grad school, I did some field research along the California coast.
6.
By the time I had made my way to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2008, the economy crashed and I lost my job.
7.
Fortunately, I found Save the Bay’s internship program and joined the team as a policy specialist—I’d never done advocacy work before and essentially received all of my training in policy on the job!
8.
I’ve since spent over 12 years with Save the Bay, effecting change through policy and advocacy to protect our environment.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Family:
You should be an engineer. They make more money.
How I responded:
I originally went to college to study environmental engineering because I loved nature and everyone always says that engineers make more money. I quickly realized that I wanted to go down a path that was more people-centric and multidisciplinary instead. When I switched my major to environmental studies, my family wasn't initially very happy. However, once they saw the kinds of opportunities I was pursuing, they were excited for me.