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Alex graduated in May 2001 with a BS in Environmental Sciences from the College of Natural Resources. In April 2002, she began a paid, six-month internship with the National Wildlife Federation in Washington, DC. That experience "got her foot in the door" and helped her get her new job as a staff person with the Sierra Club. In her current position, she's able to combine her interests in environmental and international policy and gets to work on a broad range of issues.

Career Center (CC): What is your job at the Sierra Club?

Alex Marinov (AM): I'm the International Program Assistant for the Sierra Club. Half my time is with the Global Population and Environment Program, which works on educating the public on population/environment issues, finding ways to help empower girls and women around the world, and trying to maintain and increase international family planning funding. We also look at some domestic issues - like equality in prescription coverage for contraception.

The other half of my time is with the Responsible Trade Beyond the Borders (trying to ensure clean, green and fair trade, providing small grants to grassroots organizations along the US-Mexico border) and with  Human Rights & Environment Programs (working with Amnesty International to defend environmental activists around the world). I think the Sierra Club has a great website, if you ever want info on these programs.

I have some administrative type stuff to do, but I also get to participate in meetings about lobbying, advocacy, public education, etc. and I get to research, edit and write on relevant topics. Most of this so far has been with the Global Population program but after I get more settled in, I hope to help out more with the other programs.

Since I've been in DC, I feel like I've seen first hand how environmental nonprofits work together to influence the government on key issues. It's been hard lately as we have such an un-environmental president and now Congress, too. So, I try not to get depressed!

CC: How did you get your job at the Sierra Club?

AM: I think the six-month, post-BA internship at National Wildlife Federation was a very valuable experience as it gave me the background and connections I needed to get this job. I was doing a Population & Environment internship at NWF. I do recommend the internship because it's paid and has medical benefits and gets your foot in the door in the environmental policy world of DC. It's also competitive to get one and therefore well-regarded in the community. Obviously, there is always grunt work with an internship, but it was worth the move - definitely!

CC: You're not just volunteering -- you get paid?

AM: The NWF internship paid about $1200 per month which ended up to be about $950 after taxes (DC taxes are high!) and insurance if you select more than basic emergency coverage. I think it's great that NWF provides both medical and dental insurance to its interns, but it is a difficult salary to live on in an area that is as expensive as the Bay Area. Many interns get an extra job on top of their 40-hour (sometimes more) commitment which can be exhausting and stressful at times. Yet, it's definitely all worth it for the experience.

The pay is better at Sierra Club because I have a staff position. Sierra Club pays comparably to NWF for a lower level position like mine, but I have heard that Sierra Club doesn't pay as much as some of the other environmental organizations for higher level positions. Of course, I think there are so many benefits to working for the Sierra Club that it's worth it.

CC: How do you think your undergraduate education/major prepared you for your job?

AM: I think the interdiscplinary approach of the environmental sciences major allows one to attain a broad background and variety of experiences that are applicable to many environmental fields. The rigorous science courses and independent senior thesis project helped me develop research and analytical skills that have been useful in the policy arena. My social science courses gave me a greater awareness and knowledge of environmental issues that I continue to learn more about through my work experiences.

CC: Any advice for current students who might want to do international environmental policy work?

AM: My main advice for current students interested in international environmental work is to take every possible opportunity to go abroad - whether it is doing field work research for a professor, participating in a brief volunteer project abroad during the summer, studying abroad, travel, or joining the Peace Corps after graduation. Any international experience will reflect positively on a resume or in a job interview and will broaden your perspective. My senior thesis on environmental issues along the US-Mexico border has proven useful to me in interviews and in my work. If a student has the desire and the opportunity to take on a project with an international focus, they should do it!

CC NOTE: Attend the Nonprofit/Public Service Career Fair on Wednesday, February 12, and speak to Energy and Resources Group graduate student Matt St.Clair who worked on Global Warming and other environmental issues in Eastern Europe during his stint with Brethran Volunteer Service (BVS). There will also be a representatives from the Peace Corps and environmental groups at the fair.

CC: Last question -- how do you like DC?

AM: I'm actually surprised at the similarities between DC and the Bay Area. There is a diversity of people and cultures and the city itself is much more liberal than I expected. There are so many intelligent, motivated people here as well, so it's not too different from Berkeley. The weather is still not that bad for winter- though I miss warm California falls, and I have to say, I hated the humid summer here - it was awful!

Additional Resources

What Can I Do with a Major In - Environmental Sciences

Career Fields - Environment

College of Natural Resources - Environmental Sciences Major