Environmental Studies is hosting a panel discussion to explore Environmental Consulting careers. 

If you're wondering:

• What is environmental consulting?
• How do I even get into this field?
• What kind of skills do I need to become a consultant?

Speakers include:

Courtney Schaumberg, Staff Hydrogeologist at Sound Earth Strategies, Inc.
Courtney first worked for SoundEarth Strategies as an intern in the summer of 2010 after earning her BA in Geology-Chemistry from Whitman College. She returned to the firm early in 2013 after completing an MS in Hydrology at the University of Arizona, where she analyzed groundwater and soil data to determine weathering rates and subsurface influences to ground and surface waters. In her time at SoundEarth, Courtney has focused on the remediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. She has extensive field experience including groundwater and surface water sampling, operating/maintaining remediation systems, and overseeing drilling and excavation. She has also worked on aquifer testing and analysis, technical report writing, and project/remediation plan management. Originally from Redmond, WA, Courtney spends her time away from the office running, cycling, playing soccer, baking, and reading.

Scott Percival, Associate at Cascadia Consulting
Scott joined Cascadia in 2013 to assist the Community Power Works home energy upgrade program. He provides customer and contractor support for retrofit projects focused on improving the energy efficiency of homes in the Seattle area. Scott manages the Jefferson County PUD#1 residential energy conservation program, which offers rebates on weatherization and heating improvements to homes. Scott also brings his waste management and shipping knowledge to the research team for projects such as the Port of Seattle’s Green Gateway Awards program and the Ulupono Initiative, which focuses on designing waste diversion and reduction strategies for the State of Hawaii. Scott has an M.Sc. degree in Environmental Sustainability from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, and a B.A. in Astronomy from Whitman College. 

Alison Sienkiewicz, Stormwater Staff Scientist at Sound Earth Strategies, Inc. 
Alison graduated from the University of Washington in June 2014 with a B.S. in Environmental Science and B.A in Environmental Studies. She has been working at SoundEarth Strategies (SES) as a Stormwater Scientist for over a  year and a half. At SES, Alison helps industrial and construction clients manage their stormwater to remain in compliance with environmental regulations. This work involves water quality sampling, site inspections, and report writing. 

Jimmy Mahady, Research Associate at Ross Strategic
Jimmy joined Ross Strategic in 2014 after spending several months interning at Climate Solutions in Seattle. In 2013 Jimmy was a Fulbright US Student fellow in Uruguay. His research project focused on the advancement of renewable energy through policy discussion and development, and he collaborated with a United Nations Development Programme initiative, an academic institution, and several federal ministries. Prior to Uruguay, Jimmy spent two years in Madrid, Spain, where he moved after graduating from the University of Washington in 2010.

Since joining Ross Strategic, Jimmy has contributed his research, policy development, and project coordination skills to climate and energy projects like the Pacific Coast Collaborative’s West Coast Electric Fleets initiative and the EPA’s Climate Showcase Communities. He has also provided support to projects on topics ranging from Puget Sound recovery to the Clean Power Plan.

Sarah Sanborn, Project Coordinator at EnviroIssues
Sarah works at EnviroIssues, an environmental communications, outreach, and facilitation firm. As common with consulting, Sarah supports several different projects including public transportation planning, cleanup and restoration outreach, conservation meeting facilitation, and park redesign public involvement. It can be difficult to pinpoint what Sarah does on a typical day. Some days she creates materials for public comment periods (such as an Environmental Impact Statement release). Other days she drafts social media content for a public transportation agency. Occasionally Sarah reads extensive environmental cleanup documents and translates them into short community factsheets. Whatever the day or task, Sarah can be found working with the public addressing natural and built environments where we work, live, and play. Sarah graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Environmental Studies.

The panel will be moderated by Ned Schaumberg, who teaches Environmental Communications at Environmental Studies.