Career Path of a Director of Greentown Go Programs at Greentown Labs
Michela's career path began with an environmental studies major, self-designed to focus on "international environmental policy," and internships at environmental nonprofits and Seventh Generation, which helped solidify a desire to work in the climate field's "business technology or policy side." This led to Michela's first job and almost six years at Greentown Labs, driven by the opportunity to "work with startups in the climate field and make the case for folks to care about climate from a business perspective."
Climate Technology, Cleantech Startups, Environmental Policy, Career Paths in Sustainability, Business and Climate
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Michela Grunebaum
Director of Programs, Greentown Go
Greentown Labs
University of Vermont
N/A
Environmental & Related Sciences
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management
Operations and Project Management
Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans
Video Highlights
1. Michela created her own major in college, focusing on international environmental policy, which demonstrates initiative and passion.
2. She gained practical experience through internships at environmental nonprofits and Seventh Generation, a consumer goods company, providing diverse skills.
3. Her career path emphasizes the intersection of business, technology, and climate action, highlighting the importance of this interdisciplinary approach for a successful career in the field.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path? Please start with your experiences in college and any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
In college, I majored in Environmental Studies with a focus on international environmental policy. This was a major I created myself, which was fantastic.
I had also worked in a few roles at environmental nonprofits where I interned. During college, I interned at Seventh Generation, an environmental consumer brand. These positions allowed me to explore different roles within the field.
I always knew I wanted to work in climate, but I wasn't sure what that looked like during college or even when I started my job search. I wanted to focus on the business, technology, or policy aspects of climate rather than the hard science ecology side, which is also very important.
Knowing I wanted to concentrate on technology or business after graduation, I looked for roles that would allow me to do that. I discovered Greentown Labs, where I am now. I started there in 2018, my first job after college, and have been here for almost six years.
What drew me to Greentown was the opportunity to work with climate startups and advocate for climate action from a business perspective, not just an altruistic one. I believe that altruism alone can only go so far. I wanted to focus on the technology and business side of things, and that's what led me here.