I love my major.

This evening I was given a lovely chance to talk to those at SMC who are also Environmental Studies or Science majors, about what we’re doing, where we’re going, and how we’re going to change the world. Environmental majors are a fun group of people. There are eight of us graduating (4 science and 4 studies), and we’re all doing quite varied things after graduation. Some are going to law school, some are taking a year off and doing odd jobs, some are working for environmental companies, but really we’re all figuring things out, one step at a time.

Going to dinner tonight was a chance to reflect on our four years; the good teachers, the bad teachers, the hard classes, and the classes that have changed our lives. It was a chance to reflect on our loss as a department; Sophomore year we lost our biology, marine science, and symbiotic universe professor. Earlier this year we lost our geology, watershed, and geographic mapping systems professor as well. Talking to the others it was so apparent that, to us, they had been so much more than professors. They were people that supported us, taught us, joked with us, and united us. I know that I owe Professor Capriulo everything for seeing potential in me and realizing where my interests might be able to lead me. It’s thanks to him that I’m even majoring in Environmental and for that I am immensely grateful. I have NEVER regretted my major and if I went back and did it all again, I would choose EES because, regardless of uncertainty about future jobs, schooling, etc, I am 110% positive that I am passionate about and will forever care about our Environment and utilize what I have spent the past four years studying. Talking with the other seniors tonight made me so ridiculously happy. It reminded me of the moment I realized what a blessing my time with School for Fields was, because how often do you get to be surrounded by people who all studied and are all passionate about the same things you are. We are excited by certain plants, ocean waves, and recycled paper. We chose a gift for the head of our department (Carla) and it was a native plant, and a card on fully recycled unbleached paper that featured a photo of flowers we had identified in a previous course with her. We had discussions about swamps, clay, spiders, and sustainability. We talked about how we are going to change the world. That is what I want to do “when I grow up”. And that is what I will do. And I have faith in those I studied with, and ate with this evening. They too are capable of great things and I have no doubt they will also change the world. After all, we’re gonna need a lot of help.

So here’s to incredible majors, good food, friends, and a uniting passion. I hope it guides us for years to come.