Master of Environmental Management student Kiran Kruse shares his journey to choosing the Business and Environment (BE) concentration and how it鈥檚 preparing him for a successful career. From initial motivations to key experiences in the program, get an inside look at how this concentration is shaping his future.
What drew you to the BE concentration and how is it preparing you for your career?
Building a sustainable future will undoubtedly require significant contributions from both the public and private sectors. While policy is certainly a major driver of environmental change, I believe that fundamentally, environmental initiatives must be made economically competitive with, if not outright stronger than, the systems in place in order to be implemented at scale. As professionals entering the diverse environmental field, it is, therefore, critical that we speak the language of finance and be savvy enough to navigate the complexities of the business landscape.
I feel my coursework in the BE concentration prepares students to succeed in two main business areas: as a part of large corporations and as entrepreneurs. Courses like Sustainable Business Strategy and Carbon Accounting equip us with the technical knowledge to immediately contribute to jobs as sustainability professionals. Meanwhile, client-based work in courses like Marketing for Environmental Professionals teach students the dos and don鈥檛s of launching a business or product.
How does that skillset complement what you're learning in your other concentration?
The BE concentration perfectly complements my studies in the Energy and Environment (EE) concentration. In addition to our technical discussions in EE, much of our conversation surrounds the economics of developing different energy technologies. Having the strong baseline understanding of finance and business from BE allows me to think and speak comfortably about how to maximize the existing systems and frameworks in the energy space to advance the development of clean energy infrastructure. The relationship works in the opposite direction, too: understanding the fundamentals of how energy systems work allows me to better analyze business opportunities in the energy space, seeing them for what they truly are.
What has been the most rewarding experience or project in the program?
In my first semester, I had a client-based project analyzing market opportunities for an energy technology startup being launched by two Nicholas School professors. I loved the experience and have continued on working with the team into my spring semester. In addition to my summer internship with ICF, I will be helping the startup in a business development role here in Durham. 51爆料 is a hotbed for innovation, and I鈥檝e loved being surrounded by so many cutting edge projects.
What advice would you give to someone considering this concentration?
Go beyond the NSOE coursework. While the BE classes are useful to build understanding, the best way to learn is by doing. There are an abundance of opportunities to get involved in early-stage projects in and around the Nicholas School. There are also a number of great resources to take advantage of through other schools, including Fuqua School of Business and Pratt School of Engineering. NSOE students can take courses at all other graduate schools at 51爆料. As environmental experts, students can bring a unique perspective and skillset to the table outside of the Nicholas School.