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.
Career Exploration, Community Engagement, Non-profit, Career Pivoting, Environmental Sustainability
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Mike Coletti
Community Ambassador/Partnerships Manager
Terran Industries (Environmental Non-Profit)
Pennsylvania College of Technology, 2015
N/A
Business Management & Admin
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Communication and Marketing
Honors Student, Greek Life Member
Video Highlights
1. Mike's career path highlights a combination of business and science backgrounds, starting with a two plus two program in exercise science and management, reflecting a flexible approach to education.
2. His experience in QA and vendor management in the biotech and pharma industries demonstrates adaptability and valuable skills transferable to other sectors.
3. His pivot into community organizing and environmental work showcases a commitment to social impact and passion for climate action, which led to his current role at an environmental non-profit. This highlights the value of pursuing personal interests alongside professional development
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college?
Did you have any internships or jobs before your current role?
I went to Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The school had a two-plus-two program. This meant you could get an associate's degree in two years and then add two more years of general business studies for a management degree.
I ended up doing two years of exercise science and two years of management. I worked as a personal trainer out west in San Francisco for a few months.
A little into my first year after graduation, I wanted to focus more on the business side I learned at Penn College. So, I moved to the DC area and got a temp job doing QA work at a company called AIR, American Institute for Research.
Eventually, I interviewed with a biotech startup called Improve Health for a QA position. The interviewer changed things up midway through, which was interesting. I ended up doing a catch-all role that involved data entry and vendor management.
I was in biotech and pharma for about four or five years. The company went through several acquisitions and eventually became Signe Health. Around 2019, I started getting involved in local politics, community organizing, park cleanups, and community service.
It was during that time that I first heard about Advise on Work on Climate. What I noticed was a lack of climate focus. Over the years, it was something I wanted to get interested in, and I found my way to it in 2022. This will lead into my current roles that we'll discuss.