How would you describe the work that you do at McKinstry?
I work for the Building Performance team at McKinstry. Our team helps across all phases of a building's life, from new construction pre-design to deep energy efficiency retrofits of existing buildings. We leverage technical tools like energy modeling that help customers meet their energy, carbon, and sustainability goals.
How did your Seattle University education prepare you for the ‘real world’?
The senior design program was a great opportunity to learn about different industries and get a view into the professional side of things. McKinstry was actually my senior design project sponsor. I remember learning a lot about both McKinstry and other team sponsors as well. It was a good introduction to the professional opportunities available to us.
What advice do you have for a student who is considering a career in sustainability?
Be open to new and different pathways into the sustainability field! I feel like I'm constantly learning about new avenues and branches of sustainability that I didn't know existed before. The climate crisis is a deeply complex problem that affects all aspects of life. Some topics get more coverage than others, but they are not the only careers or pathways to consider if you're interested in sustainability. I'd recommend thinking about sustainability holistically and explore how different industries can play a role in the climate solution. By expanding your understanding of the different options you can take, you'll have given yourself more opportunities to end up in a career that is fulfilling and involves sustainability.
How does your work intersect with environmental justice?
The building industry accounts for more than a quarter of Washington state's emissions. Design decisions made today have lasting effects on our environment and impacts of climate change more dramatically impact marginalized communities. Additionally, as our world changes, what we ask of our buildings will need to change too. There is a human health and wellness factor with buildings and we spend most of our time indoors. We need to have designs that are capable of handling weather extreme climate events (extreme temperatures, smoke events, grid resiliency, pandemics, etc.) and keep building occupants safe and comfortable.
What is your fondest memory from your days as a student at SU?
The community, both academically and socially, was my favorite part of SU life. For me, it was the right size and balance to be able to make life-long connections and friendships while also enjoying all the city has to offer. I loved the personal connections made with teachers, the class sizes, and having a cohort of engineering students to go through all the opportunities and challenges of college life!
