Master of Environmental Management student Shivani Lakshman shares her journey to choosing the Terrestrial and Freshwater Environments (TFE) concentration and how it鈥檚 preparing her for a successful career. From initial motivations to key experiences in the program, get an inside look at how this concentration is shaping her future.
What drew you to the TFE concentration and how is it preparing you for your career?
My main environmental interests focus on water resource management and ensuring sustainable water access for communities and ecosystems globally. I was drawn to the TFE concentration to gain a deeper understanding of watershed and hydrologic science, while also exploring the interconnection between freshwater and terrestrial systems. The concentration is equipping me with a strong foundation in water science and allowing me to explore various aspects of water management, law, and finance both domestically and abroad.
How does that skillset complement what you're learning in your other concentration?
My management concentration is Environmental Economics and Policy (EEP), where I am taking classes in economics, statistics and politics that cover a wide range of environmental issues. TFE provides me with deeper expertise in my specific environmental areas of interest and complements the analytical, research and memo writing skills I am developing in EEP by enabling me to apply a science-based approach to policy decisions.
What has been the most rewarding experience or project in the program?
I am involved in water policy research at the and recently had the opportunity to attend a dialogue in Washington, D.C., where water experts from around the country discussed key improvements needed in U.S. water policy over the coming decades. It was really cool to be a part of the conversation and see how the research that I鈥檇 been working on over the past year connected to the broader discussion.
What advice would you give to someone considering this concentration?
Reflect on what you are hoping to gain from the concentration and be intentional about which classes you choose. Even though TFE is its own concentration, it encompasses a broad range of topics鈥攜ou can take classes ranging from Urban Ecology to Water Resources Law to Biogeochemistry. Most TFE students come to the Nicholas School with a particular sub-interest鈥攆reshwater, conservation or forests, for example鈥攁nd choose classes accordingly. There鈥檚 a lot to choose from in TFE, so feel free to reach out to current students to hear more about our experiences!