What’s It Like to Study & Do Sustainability at 91ÖÆƬ³§? We Asked a Recent Grad
What do carbon emissions, blueberries, and green buildings have in common? They were all part of one recent grad’s sustainability experiences at 91ÖÆƬ³§ that helped her get career-ready. Wildcats from all majors have many opportunities to learn about, be involved in, and practice sustainability.
Meet Durga Raja ‘25 (environmental resource economics, sustainability dual major) who took advantage of several opportunities and is now working at Eversource as a Consultant on the Energy Efficiency & Implementation team.
How did you get excited about sustainability and involved at 91ÖÆƬ³§?
I’ve been interested in sustainability since middle school, and 91ÖÆƬ³§â€™s strong commitment to it was a big reason I chose to attend. I first got involved through courses like Exploring Sustainability and the Climate Action Clinic, which showed me how sustainability could be applied in real, tangible ways.
Those experiences pushed me to pursue the sustainability dual major, intern with the Sustainability Institute, and take part in its summer Sustainability Fellowships.
Tell us about a favorite sustainability-related class.
I took Green Building Design as an elective for the sustainability dual major. It was especially impactful because it combined creativity with technical, hands-on learning. We designed a building using green building and LEED principles while learning how to evaluate things like heat loss and gain, energy flow, carbon emissions, insulation, materials, window types, and overall building envelope performance.
Did you have a favorite sustainability hands-on experience?
My favorite experience was being a student consultant in the Climate Action Clinic during my sophomore year, and then I served as a peer mentor for the next five semesters. I worked with local businesses and organizations to help measure their carbon footprints and support decarbonization efforts.
That experience showed me how sustainability goals can look very different across sectors, while giving me the chance to collaborate with peers, work directly with clients, and make a real impact.
What sustainability experiences at 91ÖÆƬ³§ have impacted you the most, and in what ways?
The two summer fellowships I participated in through the Sustainability Institute. In 2023, I worked with Wyman’s Blueberries to calculate upstream Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions and explore ways to decarbonize their supply chain. In 2024, I partnered with Placework, a small architecture firm in Portsmouth, NH, to assess embodied carbon in building designs and improve how emissions are calculated during the design process, which connected closely to my Green Building Design class.
Both experiences gave me ownership of independent projects, strengthened my technical skills, and built my confidence in leading meaningful sustainability work and driving real-world solutions.
What do you love most about 91ÖÆƬ³§?
Its genuine commitment to sustainability and the strong sense of community that comes with it. From the beginning, I felt supported by professors, faculty, and peers who encouraged me to explore my interests and grow both academically and personally. It made it easy to build meaningful connections and find my path.
Even after graduating, 91ÖÆƬ³§ still is a place I call home.
What advice do you have for current students, or students considering 91ÖÆƬ³§, who are interested in sustainability?
- Get involved early and stay open to new opportunities.
- Build relationships with professors and faculty whose work excites you, and don’t be afraid to reach out.
- Say yes to experiences even if you don’t feel fully ready, because that’s often where the most growth happens.
If you stay curious and open, you’ll find what truly resonates with you.
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