Lindsey Hubbell
Major/Job Title:
Environmental Resource Management
Hometown:
Pocahontas, IA
Class Year:
2022
Lindsey Hubbell
Why did you choose to attend UNI?
I chose to attend UNI because it was much bigger than my high school but much smaller than Iowa/Iowa State or other out-of-state public schools. It felt like a good-sized community for me to grow into. My sister attended so I had visited a few times and it already started to feel like home.
What factors influenced your reason for studying your major?
I took a gap year after freshman year and joined AmeriCorps, a national service program, for a year. I had time to travel, volunteer, work for a higher cause than myself, and reflect on what I wanted to contribute to the world. I chose ERM because it combined environmental sciences with geographic technologies to give me a skillset for combating the climate crisis.
What do you do in your future position? What do you think you will enjoy about it?
I am joining the Peace Corps in a few months and was placed in the public health sector in Senegal. Though not directly related to my major, I will get to travel and be submerged in new cultures while supporting a humanitarian cause. Peace Corps will give me more access to getting a government job and also pay for a Master’s degree, both of which I plan to do when I return. I’m not exactly sure what type of job I want yet, but from my browsing, there are many naturalist and environmental jobs out there that pique my interest.
How did your major help prepare you for your future role? What skills will you still be using today?
I feel a lot of passion for environmentalism and I think I will enjoy working in a meaningful field. I look forward to the challenges and innovations of fighting the climate crisis one small step at a time.
GIS is a widely used technology that is highly applicable to environmental issues. I have a pretty well-rounded general background of Earth systems and functions to guide my understanding when I get into a more specific field. My classes overall were challenging and helped develop my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, making me confident I can tackle any new problem in the workplace.
What is a memorable part of your studies or participation within your major?
I became really involved in my department and even got to be the Geography Club president before I graduated. I have a lot of core college memories from this time. It was a very rewarding experience, and I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about leadership. I felt really integrated into the department and bonded with students and professors alike.
What advice would you give to students currently interested in the same major?
Get involved. Go to class. Talk to students you don’t know. Talk to professors. Ask for help. Participate in social events. Do your homework but also make time for other things. Follow your passions and do something positive for the world.