Student spotlight: Changing gears from mitigation to prevention
Tyler Zorn was already working at an environmental consulting firm before attending college. Master of Science in the Sustainability Science (SUSCI) program from Columbia University. However, while Zorn felt that his work was rewarding and necessary, he also had the following realization: We want to focus on preventing environmental damage rather than dealing with its effects.
as zone As he prepares to graduate from the SUSCI program in the spring, he is looking to achieve his goal of working at a climate technology startup with sustainability at its heart to meet ambitious carbon removal goals. I plan to utilize the tools and experience I gained during my time at Columbia University. In his Q&A below, Zorn talks about the highlights of his SUSCI program and how he hopes to incorporate them into his future career.
What attracted you to the SUSCI program?
Although my passion and strength lies in the environmental field, I recognized that additional knowledge of sustainability science would be a catalyst for my career advancement. In my previous career, I worked in a reactive industry dealing with the remediation of redevelopment sites. Although the work was challenging, the need for environmental mitigation could have been avoided if the contamination had been prevented in the first place. Despite the negative impacts already affecting the environment, I realized that I really wanted to be proactive about sustainability while it was still possible. The prospect of learning how to use cutting-edge scientific methods and equipment was very appealing. I wanted to have tools in the classroom that I could apply to conservation outside of the classroom. The scientific basis, sustainability motivation, collaborative efforts and development opportunities made this program a clear choice for me.
What was the highlight of your time at SUSCI?
There have been several highlights since joining the program, but one that stands out is Annual Sustainability Symposium this april Columbia University Sustainability Management Student Association. It was a great experience to gain insights from Chief Sustainability Officers, other executive-level experts from Fortune 500 companies, and founders of climate technology startups who are pioneers in the sustainability industry. Being able to participate in these guest talks, Q&A sessions, and breakout networking events is invaluable.
What is your favorite course so far?
It's hard to name just a few, but I really enjoyed „Observing and Understanding Sea Level Change.“ james davis“Monitoring and Analysis of Marine and Estuarine Systems.” bradock linsley“Predicting the impacts of climate change on the Earth’s forests.” brendan buckley and “carbon capture, utilization, and storage.” david goldberg.
Do you have any advice for current students or new students?
This program provides the opportunity to take both SUSCI and pre-approved non-SUSCI courses. This interdisciplinary collaboration shows what it takes for sustainability to be effective. We encourage students to take advantage of this wide range of course offerings, not only to gain knowledge from a wide range of professors, but also to expand their network of peers from diverse backgrounds.
What are your career aspirations? How has participating in the SUSCI program influenced these aspirations?
After graduating from this program, I hope to get a job at a climate change technology startup. It's still hard to decide exactly which technologies excites me the most and which ones can really have a positive impact on sustainability, but the SUSCI program has helped me understand how these technologies can continues to provide me with insight into what is. Listen to class presentations about newly funded companies, read academic papers about research done to drive specific innovations, and learn how future climate projections depend on specific sustainability technologies. Whether you're writing a research paper on how you'll need it, this program will help you broaden your horizons. To find out what's currently available and what's on the horizon for this evolving field.
We know you're an avid student, but what do you do outside of school and work?
This October, I will be participating in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating and raising awareness about adolescent depression, promoting good mental health, and breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health issues. We held a fundraiser for Erica's Lighthouse. In November 2022, we also participated in the TCS New York City Marathon as a fundraiser for the V Cancer Research Foundation. These were very rewarding (and difficult!) experiences.
of Master of Science in Sustainability Science This program is offered by the Graduate School of Professional Studies in partnership with the Columbia Climate School.