Career Path Of A Partnership Manager At Island Press
Jen's career path, beginning with a sociology degree at UMBC and fueled by a passion for climate change, followed a winding but ultimately fulfilling trajectory. From unpaid internships at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network and a stint as a farmer in Indiana ("I learned that I love the food that we eat and organic food, but it is a really hard job to be a farmer"), the experiences led to a partnership manager position at Island Press, a role they've held for six and a half years.
Environmental Advocacy, Nonprofit Sector, Career Pivoting, Sales and Marketing, Communications
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Jen Hawse
Partnership Manager
Island Press
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
N/A
Anthropology, Sociology
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Communication and Marketing
None Applicable
Video Highlights
1. Jen's career path demonstrates the value of diverse experiences. She transitioned from an unpaid internship focused on climate change policy to roles in carbon offsetting, environmental consulting, and even farming. This highlights the potential for combining passions (environmentalism) with various professional skills (communications, sales, event planning).
2. Layoffs were a recurring theme in Jen's career, showcasing her resilience and adaptability. Instead of viewing setbacks as failures, she used them as opportunities for reflection and pivots, leading to new skills and experiences. This emphasizes the importance of viewing career paths as dynamic and not linear.
3. Jen's journey underscores that a fulfilling career can emerge from a combination of passion, skills, and adaptability. While her initial interest was in environmental policy, she gained expertise in various fields like sales, marketing, and communications, demonstrating how seemingly unrelated experiences can converge into a meaningful career trajectory in a related field.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Please include any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
I went to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. It's a University of Maryland system college, mostly for engineers. I studied sociology there and commuted as it was close to home.
While in college, in the early 2000s, I learned about climate change. I shifted my focus from reproductive rights to wanting to save the planet. This way, we could all have any other rights we might need.
My first position in this field was at the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. I was an unpaid intern, a Maryland policy fellow. After that, I worked for a carbon offset nonprofit for a few years.
Unfortunately, I was laid off in 2008 when the financial crisis hit. I then pivoted to working for an organization called Eastern Research Group. We were contractors for agencies like the EPA and the DOE.
My work there involved event planning and marketing communications. We managed a program called the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories, and I helped plan that conference with colleagues.
Around age 27, I questioned my path. I wondered if I was truly making a difference working in an office all day, feeling so far removed from helping. I decided to take a gap year.
I took an unpaid apprenticeship on a farm in Indiana. I learned that I loved organic food, but farming is incredibly difficult and doesn't pay well. I realized we need to address our food system to combat climate change.
I used my skills in learning about food systems and communications, along with a previous sales background. For three and a half years, I was the Maryland and DC sales manager for an online grocery store. It specialized in organic and local vendors and food delivery.
That company closed, and I was laid off again. Amazon's entry into the market made it a tough environment. It was a startup, but I learned a lot, managed ten people, and we had an innovative sales team. I also worked on the business side of things.
After that, I traveled for a year, another gap year. When I returned, I realized jobs were primarily in DC, so I went back. I worked for a company for a few months, but it didn't work out, and I was laid off.
This happens to many people, and we shouldn't be afraid of it. Then I found my current job, where I've been for six and a half years. My title is Partnership Manager at Island Press, an environmental nonprofit book publisher.