Love the outdoors? Consider a career (like Erika) in Environmental Science

"I come bearing plants."

Those were the first words Erika Jozwiak ever said to me. We were meeting for the first time on my birthday 5 years ago and she brought me a small plant as a gift.

This is the plant I proudly still care for today...(maybe I need to cut it back...)

 Growing up outside of Pittsburgh, PA, Erika's family (her parents and her 4 siblings) spent a lot of time outdoors, both enjoying nature and respecting it. Her mom promoted efficient use of products for cleaning and gardening, and they all developed a real reverence for nature each year when they ventured to her grandfather's cabin in Tionesta, located in northwestern PA. Additionally, The Girl Scouts was another source of outdoor education; Erika achieved the Spirit Alive Award. She brought environmental awareness to her peers as part of the Recycling Committee in high school.

(Anyone who knows me realizes that this is my kind of girl!)

Erika's choice of a liberal arts college like Franklin and Marshall (Class of 2014) helped her expand her love for all-things environmental. First, she was able to major in Environmental Science. She was a member of the Environmental Action Alliance. She was the Diplomat Congress Sustainability Chair, and an intern for the Wohlsen Center for the Sustainable Environment.

Her favorite part of school was during her involvement in the Fair Trade Cafe on campus.

This was a student-volunteer cafe that served grilled cheese and soup every Wednesday for $4.00 (the fee covering just the cost). The meal was sourced from all local farms and local suppliers. Erika and the staff went to the farmers market and maintained a strong relationship with these natural providers.

 That's the college Erika 4th from left

After an internship at Reliance Environmental Inc. in Lancaster, Erika was on her way to her first career job after graduation.....at the place of her internship. Obviously the company was impressed with her work, and hired her to be on the staff.  Here she was an Environmental Consultant, working with clients in Lancaster, Reading, and Philadelphia. She interviewed property owners and checked to see what needed to be done to make the area contaminant-free. She took soil and water samples, enjoying the discovery of a property's past history as part of her job.

While this was a wonderful opportunity, Erika was ready to see what a bigger city had to offer, so she chose one of the biggest of them all--New York. She was hired as a Sustainability Analyst for the New York Department of Environmental Protection, which manages the city's drinking water and waste water systems.

Erika works closely with the Bureau of Engineering Design and Construction. Her job is to make sure that projects involving water are in compliance with the city-wide sustainability goals and state and federal laws. She holds workshops with designers of pump stations, sewer systems, and drinking water purification facilities to educate them about the environment and its protection and writes guidelines for them to follow. She makes plans for them to achieve the goals and then tracks the effectiveness of all this. 

 This is the Deer Island Waste Water Treatment plant in Boston. Erika was touring the facility.

 A construction site in New York

That's Erika on the right. Can anyone look happier on the job?

Once again, BC students, this is a career where writing skills are necessary, particularly technical writing like plans,  design guidelines, standard operating procedures, and reports. One must have good time-management skills, and since she is always talking with designers and engineers (not to mention office workers) sharp communication skills. (I'll vouch for her skills since she able to effectively help me understand her career!)

The best part about Erika? 

(Well, one of the best)......Her job is a reflection of her lifestyle...or is it the other way around? Erika walks the walk, as they say....but actually, she bikes! She rides her bike to and from work every day she can. She uses no disposable materials, she composts and recycles everything (I've seen her pick up paper off the sidewalk), and she never leaves home without her reusable coffee mug. She supports the farmers market in her neighborhood and is involved in her local community to be a part of decisions that may affect the environment there.

Erika never met a vegetable she didn't like!

There are interesting opportunities for an Environmental Science major in addition to Erika's job. These include recycling manager, environmental education officer, landscape architect, town planner, and toxicologist, which looks at the impact of toxic materials in the environment. Perhaps this is something that could be a science fair topic at some point.

As for living in New York City? Erika says, "Do it!" She admits that it can be exhausting, but in a good way. She feels it's best to get involved in many social and community groups to feel part of the action. Here again, Erika doesn't just say it, she does it.

I admire Erika for so many reasons: her passion for her work and the environment, her ability to just jump in and be a part of her surroundings...and of course, her love for the earth! I have always tried to be mindful of such things (Students....are you still using that green recycling bag in the classroom!!!!???)  

I often think WWED? (What would Erika do?) It leads me to make the choice that is kindest to the earth. I like that, and I think she does too :)