“Careers for a Changing Climate” Photo Gallery
On Feb. 22, 2026, the Sustainability Initiative teamed up with the Phipps Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) to host a career event at Phipps Conservatory. “Careers for a Changing Climate” welcomed almost 100 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to explore sustainability career paths and network with professionals across the field.
The mini conference opened with a keynote speech presented by Leslie Montgomery, Vice President of Education for the Green Building Alliance, who addressed what the field of sustainability needs right now and how early career professionals can find their place in the field. Attendees then participated in three rounds of breakout sessions focused on what sustainability work looks like in various sectors, led by experts from CMU, Phipps, and other organizations.
“The success of the event more than exceeded my expectations. I was grateful to be able to partner with the Phipps YCAC to expand on last year's “Pathways to Impact” event,” said Sustainability Initiative Programming Intern and College of Engineering senior Aleena Siddiqui, who helped plan the event. “This collaboration allowed us to host more students, work with a wider range of employers, and create additional opportunities for engagement through focused breakout sessions and networking opportunities. I was excited to see so many like-minded peers passionate about pursuing sustainable careers and be able to cater to a wider audience from high school students to graduate students.”
Students also had the opportunity to connect with employers in a small group setting, participating in conversations about their specific fields.
“Judging by their engagement and enthusiasm, these small-group conversations were as beneficial to these students as they were to me. They had great questions, and our time went by very quickly,” said Consortium for Public Education Director of Partnerships Gina Barrett, one of the employers who participated in the event. “Phipps was the perfect backdrop for this sustainability-focused event and that made it even easier to connect with both college and high school students who were interested in discussing their interests and career aspirations.”
Phipps Youth Climate Advocacy Coordinator Jennifer Torrance was excited to partner with the Sustainability Initiative to highlight sustainability opportunities for high schoolers as well as college students. “Our YCAC youth grew in many ways by having the opportunity to speak about their current initiatives on the same platform as other professionals,” she said. “They also learned a ton from the many organizations who graciously gave their time to share career advice and knowledge.”
Interested students can join the Sustainability Initiative’s Pittsburgh Intercollegiate Network for Sustainability (PINS) Slack workspace to stay up-to-date with upcoming events and opportunities.
Leslie Montgomery, Vice President of Education for the Green Building Alliance, gave a keynote speech to open the event.
Sustainability Initiative Strategy Intern and Tepper School of Business sophomore Ameena George and other attendees participate in a breakout session.
High school, undergraduate, and graduate students gathered at Phipps to connect around the theme of careers in sustainability.
Communications and Outreach Intern Iris Hung, a Heinz College masters student who recently guided brands to align their core missions with sustainability values as Communications Manager at Procter & Gamble, presented about communication around sustainability.
Michael Parker, Executive Director and Managing Attorney at Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services presented with Shawn Reed, Community Democracy Program Coordinator, on a breakout session focused on environmental law paths and opportunities.
Siddiqui and University of Pittsburgh sophomore Grace King led a breakout session about how students can engage with sustainability at a university level and maximize their experiences to prepare for post-grad. “I enjoyed reflecting on how I've been able to engage with peers and encourage others to make similar connections and carry sustainability through their own paths from engaging with meaningful research to internships and studying abroad,” Siddiqui said.
A button-making session provided fun takeaways.
Sustainability Initiative Director Alex Hiniker, who has previously led humanitarian disarmament initiatives in Cambodia, Laos, and Lebanon and implemented pandemic preparedness projects across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe, spoke about how to find opportunities for international work.
CMU alumnus Nick Bartel, who currently serves as Clean Air Campaign Manager for PennFuture, shares his advice and experiences with attendees.
Phipps Youth Climate Advocacy Coordinator Jennifer Torrance presented on education as a sustainability career path, alongside Shaler Area High School teacher Abbey Nilson.
Employers shared about their personal journeys in sustainability, inspiring attendees to consider where sustainability fits into their futures.
YCAC High School Leader Emma Ehan, Addie Baker, Derek Ulewicz, and YCAC Team Lead Anwita Maneish Nithya enjoy a mocktail in Phipps Conservatory's Tropical Forest Panama.
Participants enjoyed dinner as they continued to network with employers and students from other schools around the city.
George and Siddiqui take a moment to celebrate a successful event.