This is the last post I will write as a member of Facilities Team Green, and I wanted to use it to reflect on my time as a member of the team and to pass along some advice.
I came to FTG as a second semester freshman with no knowledge or understanding of how recycling or sustainability operated at the University of Rochester. I was (and still am) in love with this school, and was thrilled for the opportunity to learn more about the operational aspects of the university. I started off that semester shadowing the team leader, and was able to quickly learn how the team functioned, the ins-and-outs of recycling at UR, and started to become familiar with the sustainability community on campus.
After that first semester, I moved on to become the leader of FTG. While planning RecycleMania, I got to know the various green groups on campus much better as I was working closely with them. I also began to realize that I myself was someone that people were starting to look to when they had questions about recycling. And although my career aspirations have changed and I have decided to move on from FTG, there are many things that I have gained from my experience here and many things that I am thankful for. And based on these experiences, there are three things that I would highly recommend every undergraduate student take advantage of during their college career.
- Develop relationships with University faculty and staff
Through my work with FTG, I worked directly under Amy Kadrie, the University’s Recycling Coordinator. Because of the work I was doing, I also was able to work with other University staff such as Pat Beaumont (the Director of Support Operations) and Cam Schauff (the Director of Dining). Additionally, I was able to attend monthly meetings of the University’s Council on Sustainability, introducing me to various faculty and staff who were involved with promoting sustainability at the University. My work even enabled me to have meetings with individuals such as the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs and the Event Support Manager.
These relationships have provided me with invaluable experience and connections. Even though I did not work closely or frequently with all of these people, being able to meet them and work with them from time to time has given me experience in working professionally with adults with experience and knowledge far beyond my own. It has also given me an “in” with a variety of people should I ever need it, as it’s always a good networking tool to be able to contact someone and remind them that you have met them or worked with them briefly in the past.
2. Become knowledgeable about something you are passionate about
Thanks to FTG and Amy Kadrie, I feel confident saying I know just about everything there is to know about recycling at the UofR. It’s a great feeling to be someone that people feel comfortable coming to when they have questions about recycling, and it’s empowering to know that I most likely have the answer or know who/where to direct them to if I can’t help them. My work with FTG has also bettered my research skills in regard to sifting through archives of University accomplishments and sustainability achievements and awards.
Even though recycling and sustainability might not be your thing, I encourage you find whatever it is you are passionate about and learn everything there is to know about it. It feels great to be an expert on something, even if it’s something small, and having the ability to inform and educate others is wonderful.
3. Develop a network of students and student organizations
Working with FTG didn’t mean just working with the other members of the team, but also working with members of all of the sustainability-oriented organizations on campus. I was able to work closely with Dining Team Green, and also with groups such as Grassroots, GreenSpace, EcoReps, and Engineers for a Sustainable World. Although I didn’t necessarily become best friends with all of these people, developing a relationship with these students and student groups has made it easier for me to contact them, work with them, and has introduced me to many people that I know see around campus. I know that even after I leave FTG, I will still have this network of students and organizations that will keep me informed about green issues on campus and that I will feel comfortable around for my next two years on campus.
Not all of you will be able to have the experience of working with Facilities Team Green, but I do hope that all of you will take my advice and pursue the opportunities that I’ve described above while you are an undergraduate student at Rochester. And again, I would like to thank Amy and the rest of FTG for providing me with these amazing opportunities.
Written by Ciara McGillivray, class of 2018