UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The student committee of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Sustainability Council will host its first alumni panel discussion, “Be the Change,” from 5 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb 6 in 603 Barron Innovation Hub.

“Solutions to climate and energy challenges lie at the heart of an economic revival for human society and the inclusion of diverse global perspectives and actions aimed at solutions will present opportunities for future employment and careers for students,” said Harman Singh, member of the student committee and one of the organizers of the event.

The panel will discuss solutions for energy challenges of the future and career paths in sustainability-related fields following graduation. The event is free and open to the public.

“This discussion will provide insights into the sustainability actions and careers of some of our alumni, and how those may influence career trajectories after graduation,” said Singh, a graduate student in geography. "It's a great opportunity to talk to someone who's been through that entire lifecycle of that major."

With five speakers spanning various EMS disciplines, Singh said the event will present a thought-provoking, interactive space for students and faculty to explore climate change and climate justice.

“What's unique is that the discussion is not focused on any particular aspect of sustainability,” Singh said. “We want all the various majors to have their own storytelling event of how they got where they got in their jobs, where they are at the moment.”

Refreshments will be served at 4:30 p.m. and attendees will have an opportunity to network with the alumni. At 5 p.m. Karen Marosi, director of undergraduate engagement in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, will lead the panel in a discussion touching on student-generated questions related to climate change. A Q&A session will follow.

With sustainable development goals at the forefront of the conversation, the Sustainability Council strives to inspire students from all walks of life to share their diverse perspectives.

“Students, from first-years to seniors — at different stages of thinking about jobs — should think about how their jobs are interdisciplinary,” Singh said. “EMS represents leaders in sustainability. EMS is more than just Penn State. It's such a large network of people who are going to be working towards mitigating climate change, so if we want to train those leaders, there needs to be discussion on sustainability. And I'm hoping our event is just a very small part of what EMS is doing about it.”

Panelists include: 

• Elizabeth Crisfield, who holds a doctorate in geography
• William Irwin, who has a bachelor of science degree in petroleum and natural gas engineering
• Lindsay Jacks, who has a bachelor of science degree in geosciences and bachelor of arts degree in Spanish
• John Lease, who has a bachelor of science degree in earth science and master of science degree in environmental pollution control
• Jason McNew, who has a bachelor of science degree in geo-environmental engineering