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Mike, Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries (Environmental Non-Profit): Advize Career Interview

A career journey starting with a unique "two plus two" program in exercise science and management led to a multifaceted career in environmental advocacy.

The path included personal training, quality assurance, and a biotech startup role, all culminating in a dynamic position as Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries and the American Conservation Coalition.

This role demands adaptability, juggling diverse responsibilities from event planning and partnership management to community outreach across various platforms.

The work centers around a solution-focused approach to climate change, offering hope and inspiring tangible progress.

Challenges include balancing multiple organizations and the sheer scale of environmental issues, but open communication and a proactive approach are key to success.

For undergraduates, opportunities like the American Conservation Coalition's Ambassador Program offer valuable networking and experience.

Extracurricular involvement, like fraternity participation, can unexpectedly shape career paths, demonstrating the importance of diverse engagement in achieving professional goals.

The environmental industry thrives on specialized skills paired with adaptability, offering a rewarding career path for those seeking to make a meaningful impact.

Advizer Information

Name

Job Title

Company

Undergrad

Grad Programs

Mike Coletti

Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager

Terran Industries (Environmental Non-Profit)

Pennsylvania College of Technology, 2015

N/A

Majors

Industries

Job Functions

Traits

Business Management & Admin

Environment

Communication and Marketing

Honors Student, Greek Life Member

Watch all of this Advizer's videos below

Career Path of a Community Ambassador at Terran Industries

Mike's career path began with a "two plus two program" at Pennsylvania College of Technology, combining exercise science with a management degree, followed by a stint as a personal trainer. After a QA role at American Institute for Research and a "catchall" position at a biotech startup, a shift toward community organizing and a growing interest in climate issues led Mike to their current role at Terran Industries.

Main Responsibilities of a Community Ambassador at American Conservation Coalition

Mike's current roles reflect a passion for environmental advocacy; as a Community Ambassador for the American Conservation Coalition, Mike "spread[s] awareness, um, and increase[s] membership," while Mike's work as a Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries involves navigating "the gray area" of developing and maintaining new and existing partnerships within the environmental consulting sector.

A Day in the Life of a Community Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries

Mike's role as Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries involves significant scheduling to coordinate events and meetings across time zones, "a lot of organization" to manage over 30 partners, and diverse outreach activities ranging from "farmer's markets to happy hours." This highlights the multifaceted nature of the position, balancing virtual and in-person engagement to build and maintain community partnerships.

Most Important Skills for a Community Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries

Mike, a Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager, emphasizes the crucial need for adaptability and contingency planning in the role, stating the importance of having "a plan B and a plan C" when forging new partnerships. This is illustrated by a recent experience where an initial plan failed, but a pivot to an upcoming environmental event in Australia opened a new collaborative opportunity.

Favorite Parts Of Being A Community Ambassador At Terran Industries

Mike, a Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries, finds the most rewarding aspect of the role is sharing the organization's "historically uncommon approach to solutions for climate change," witnessing the positive impact of introducing market-based solutions and inspiring hope that "we can actually do something" about climate change. The resulting shift in perspective among individuals and the potential for tangible progress are highly fulfilling aspects of the position.

Biggest Challenges Faced By A Community Partnerships Manager At Terran Industries Environmental Non-Profit

Mike's biggest challenge as Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager is balancing work with two geographically distant organizations addressing different environmental issues, deciding "what hat to wear" and finding ways to "connect all the groups" for maximum impact. This duality presents both a significant hurdle and a unique opportunity to foster collaboration across diverse environmental initiatives.

Favorite Parts Of Working In Environmental Non-Profit As A Partnerships Manager

Mike's favorite aspect of the environmental non-profit industry is the "solution-focused" nature of the organizations Mike works with, offering "a bit more hope" in contrast to prevalent climate anxiety. This hope stems from encountering numerous companies actively pursuing sustainability initiatives, whether by improving existing practices or developing entirely new approaches.

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Environmental Industry, According To A Partnerships Manager At Terran Industries

Success in the environmental industry hinges on identifying a specific focus, whether "activism, the political side," or a particular skillset like coding or construction, while remaining open to diverse approaches. Individuals who can find this balance between specialized knowledge and adaptability are those who experience the most success.

What a Community Ambassador at Terran Industries Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Environmental Industry

Mike, a Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager, wishes someone had emphasized the sheer scale of issues in the environmental sector—"so much to address"—and the resulting feeling of being overwhelmed. Focusing one's efforts early on is crucial, as Mike learned that "knowing where you want to go...is tough, especially when you're in a new field."

Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Community Ambassadors At Terran Industries

Mike, a Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries, highlighted the American Conservation Coalition's Ambassador Program as a great entry-level opportunity for undergraduates interested in the climate space, noting it's "a great way to open up your network" while earning supplemental income; more information is available at acc.eco.

Significant Career Lesson From a Community And Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries

Mike's most significant career lesson emphasizes the importance of open communication, stating "just stay open," applying this principle to both collaborative environments and employee-manager relationships to navigate challenges and foster innovation. This approach, Mike suggests, is fundamental for success in any role, from volunteer work to navigating more rigid organizational structures.

College Experiences That Helped a Community Ambassador and Partnerships Manager at Terran Industries Succeed

Mike's college experience, marked by a switch from construction management to exercise science and business, was significantly shaped by their involvement in Sigma Pi fraternity, where "it really did prepare [Mike] to take on just about anything." This experience, including turning around a "failing chapter," proved invaluable in securing Mike's first job and has opened "the door to so many different options," highlighting the unexpected career benefits of extracurricular involvement and community engagement.

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