College can seem daunting. There are thousands of people, numerous majors and minors, and countless student groups to get involved in. How are you supposed to decide what your long-term interests are? What is the best use of your time? How do you find your place, your community? Within the Environmental Studies program, we have alumni that are willing to talk to you about their experiences to help you find your place.
Haley Nolde, a 2021 graduate of the Environmental Studies program, attributes much of her success to the relationships she made during her time in the program.
“Because the Environmental Studies program is interdisciplinary, you are forced to interact with lots of different people and topics,” Nolde said. “I think the community helped shape my mindset by always considering a broad scope with any situation.”
Nolde now serves as the Executive Director of the Nebraska Recycling Council. Beginning as an intern three years ago, she rose through the ranks to where she is today. During her time on campus, she was involved with things like Sustain UNL, which helped her become more comfortable.
“Generally speaking, the more you are involved, the more opportunities you will find. I still keep in contact with several professors and classmates on a professional and personal level,” Nolde said. “What I learned is you don't have to be friends with everyone- it's actually exhausting and turns into people-pleasing, but you do need to treat everyone with respect. College is the time to find out who you are and foster relationships that you enjoy.”
“Being involved with anything on campus gives you a sense of belonging. The close knit community of the program is comforting,” Nolde said.
Putting yourself out there is easier said than done, and Nolde can attest to this. But once you do make that leap, the results will speak for themselves.
“It's healthy to go outside your comfort zone. You don't know what you don't know,” Nolde said. “There are so many good people involved with the Environmental Studies program. Making relationships, whether it's a good or bad experience, are important.”