Rebecca Evans
Acting Director of Sustainability
City of Ithaca
Ithaca, NY USA
“Don’t doubt yourself. The worst version of yourself is what’s in your head. Nobody else sees that.”
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By Roadtrip NationRebecca Evans
Milestones
My road in life has taken me all over.
I grew up in Fairfax County, Virginia.
I went to college as a graphic design major but got really low grades and decided to switch my major to English.
After a year, I switched my major again to environmental science, originally because that was the only way to live in the college’s eco house with my friend, but I ultimately ended up loving it.
After graduating college, my road has been winding and convoluted—I took time off between undergrad and grad school, managed an emergency animal hospital, and worked in retail.
I eventually moved into higher education and worked as the campus sustainability coordinator for Ithaca College.
After about four years at Ithaca College, I moved on to work for the City of Ithaca as the acting director of sustainability.
Keep following my journey
Education
High School
Graduate
Environmental Studies - Policy Ethics
Virginia Commonwealth University
Environmental Studies - Policy Ethics
Virginia Commonwealth University
Career
Acting Director of Sustainability
I design programs for the Green New Deal to help the City of Ithaca reach carbon neutrality by 2030.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Environment & Nature
Politics
Accomplishing Goals
Day to Day
I'm responsible for the planning and implementation of community-wide carbon neutrality by 2030. In practice, that means meetings and collaboration with the utility, energy research authority, financiers, and tech partners.
Advice for Getting Started
Here's the first step for college students
I wouldn't necessarily recommend pursuing a graduate degree for this career. Graduate degrees are expensive and, although they give you an edge in the hiring process, they're generally unnecessary in this line of work. Instead, I recommend networking at conferences and taking every meeting you can. You never know who might be there.
Recommended Education
My career is not related to what I studied. I'd recommend this path instead:
Interviewed By
Empowered State
The state of New York leads a clean energy revolution
