Patrick Dowling

ESPP Alumnus

"The ESPP experience is unique because of its inherent interdisciplinary nature and has challenged me to analyze environmental issues from a range of perspectives (scientific, political, economic, legal, etc). ESPP allows students to take advantage of the expansive resources of several departments and receive the individualized support of a smaller department. The breadth and depth of the concentration afforded me the opportunity to gain a broad understanding of the natural world while also gaining a deeper knowledge in my area of specialization.

However, the best part of the ESPP department is the people. Whether through the classroom, extracurriculars, or department field trips, I have formed invaluable relationships with other students that share my passion and interest in environmental concerns. I also benefitted from working very closely with a welcoming faculty through research and seminars. As I embark on a career in solar energy, I am confident that my ESPP experience prepared me well to think critically about complex environmental problems."
-ESPP '16