Sustainable Agriculture Systems Extension Agent, Peace Corps
Current Location:
Las Quebradas, Veraguas, Panama
Majors:
Political Science and Environmental Studies
I went into college with a desire to study political science, without very much of an idea of what I desired in the long-term. The summer following my sophomore year was spent at Morgan Stanley as a wealth management intern in Boston, along with being a youth-health educator at the Mystic Learning Center in Sommerville, Mass. Although these experiences were invaluable, I was still searching for my niche. With a liberal arts education, I could explore my interests through electives, community service, hosted speakers, and school sponsored trips like Day on the Hill in Washington, D.C. While I had declared my major in political science the second semester of my first year, it was only during the spring semester of my junior year that I declared my second major: environmental studies. The following summer and senior year was spent as the eco-rep coordinator, focusing on sustainability education and outreach.
I am now a volunteer in the Peace Corps, working as a sustainable agriculture systems extension agent in Panama. I am working in the community of Las Quebradas, Veraguas with a focus on fish and rice tanks. My role is to improve overall farm productivity and assist with agribusiness development through education, working with rural farmers, and partnering with government agencies.
My advisers, especially Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Robin Lewis, were extremely helpful throughout my application process and college career. They helped inspire me and were great life coaches. My senior integrative experience (SIE) at Fribolin Farm also provided a hands-on, and service oriented, learning experience surrounding food systems.
Once I complete my service in the Peace Corps, I hope to attend graduate school to study international agricultural development or environmental management.
