Master of Environmental Management student Mark Lamendola shares his journey to choosing the Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP) concentration and how it鈥檚 preparing his 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 EEP concentration and how is it preparing you for your career?
I always envisioned myself in a broader advocacy role within the environmental industry, and so I wanted my graduate studies to have a dimension of law and policy. The Nicholas School and, more specifically, the EEP concentration provided this foundation. I am learning to understand environmental decision making from a policy, legal and economic lens. Regardless of which sector I ultimately decide to pursue, the knowledge, skills and experience I am gaining through EEP are the launchpad to an impactful and meaningful environmental advocacy career.
How does that skillset complement what you're learning in your other concentration?
The TFE/EEP combo is the 1-2 punch. Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments contextualizes water- and land-based environmental problems in scientific understanding. EEP provides a framework to understand and evaluate decisions related to these problems and their solutions. They complement each other very nicely. The program has so much flexibility to pursue various lines of interests, and I have enjoyed being able to discover new passions. I am currently loving my water-related classes, which has been a nice complement to the details of the case that I am working on through the law clinic which deals with a wastewater permitting issue. One of my favorite parts of the program are these types of overlaps across concentrations and courses.
What has been the most rewarding experience or project in the program?
The has been especially rewarding. It is an incredible experiential learning opportunity and has given me a taste of what it means to work directly with a community to address environmental injustice. I have thoroughly enjoyed learning how law, policy and regulation intersect with community-driven environmental advocacy. It has been a great experience with real clients, important work and meaningful impact.
What advice would you give to someone considering this concentration?
It is very interdisciplinary and has touch points into all other concentrations. Any passion can be explored through this concentration.