I’ve been feeling bad for not writing for a while, so I wanted to give you a quick update and a timeline for the next piece.
Since I last messaged in late October, I decided to apply to grad school! Some context that’s pushing me in this direction:
Climate change gives me purpose and the best way (in many scientists’ opinions) is to capture carbon in the soil.
I’ve been enthralled by the concept of mycoremediation (cleaning up contaminated soil using fungi instead of soil-disrupting operations) and how it could allow more communities to access farming-ready soil (while capturing carbon in the cleanup process).
Farming at ZA over the summer demonstrated that I know so little about soil ecosystems, and will need to gain more knowledge to make an impact.
I applied to Environmental Management and Environmental Engineering programs throughout the country and got into a few! The mainstream decision deadline is April 15th, so I’ve been thinking *bunches* about where I think this next step should take me.
My feelings right now during this process?
Excited (to learn about a whole world I’ve spent so little time understanding & make friends who are in the same boat)
Anxious (what if I choose a place I don’t enjoy spending time in, and how will I pay off these pesky student loans?)
Optimistic (that I’ll spend my career doing important work & doing something that gets me in the field frequently)
These are obviously the “feelings-lite” version of how I’m doing, but I hope you can appreciate it. Any thoughts, feelings, or wisdom you may have are greatly appreciated right now. 🙏
My School Options (no particular order):
UCSB (alma mater woohoo): MS in Environmental Management
UMich (amazing alumni community): MS in the Environment and Sustainability
Carnegie Mellon: MS in Environmental Engineering
Duke U (only dual degree option): Masters in Environmental Management & Masters in Engineering Management
They’re all unique in some aspects and overlapping in others. Here are the main aspects I’m currently thinking through (again, if you have thoughts on other things I should consider or have a way you think might simplify things, let me know!)
Other things going on!
I started working for Positive Adventures, an outdoor education organization leading trips for 4-12th grade across California. I’ve only taken 1 trip so far but I love my coworkers, the education we’re sharing, and getting paid to hike/kayak/explore my favorite state!
My friend Joey got married in February, and we did a JTree trip beforehand for the bachelor party. Lots of catching up with high school friends!
Visited CMU & UMich last week. Impressed by both, wished UMich was a smaller program & CMU had more hands-on ecosystem learning.
I stopped in Philly for a few days before Pittsburgh (always makes me happy to go back for a bit, especially during the sunny 70s in March 🌞😊) and am finishing up a snowboarding trip right now in SLC 🏂
Idan & I did “December to Remember,” which ended up going from mid-November to the end of February because we had so many things going on. We drove up to Vancouver, I journeyed to the East Coast & Chicago for some winter vibes, we spent New Years in JTree with Justy and Michael, the bachelor party happened, and and and! Getting ready for Spring Fling (and actively seeking better names).
I’m staying in San Diego again with my parents as I save up some cash (working for Positive Adventures & PatientWing, PA & PW). It feels as though I haven’t been there in a while, but I’m typically based there now.
I’m going to post here when I’ve made a college decision! Stay tuned in a month!
Photo Dump!
Would love for people to call, catch up & share wisdom! Sorry for not posting photos of you here! Catch me on ig @nadav_kemp!