When I first began thinking about my career, I didn’t have a clear direction. My parents encouraged stable paths—like healthcare—but never forced one on me. Choosing a career in the environmental field was a leap into uncharted territory, one that no one in my family or community had taken before. That leap would not have been possible without mentors guiding me along the way.

My very first mentor was my high school AP Environmental Science teacher, Mr. Dauray. He helped me imagine what potential careers in corporate sustainability or policy could look like. In college, I quickly realized my department leaned heavily toward environmental science and research, which I didn’t know if I wanted to pursue. I began reaching out to alumni and professionals, asking them to walk me through their “day in the life,” their stress levels, and how they managed work-life balance. Those conversations exposed me to consulting, environmental economics, fieldwork, and energy—perspectives that broadened my sense of possibility.

Later, I had the opportunity to have a formal mentor who worked in project and product management in San Francisco. He showed me how sustainability careers could flourish even in companies where “sustainability” wasn’t the title. He also taught me how to navigate corporate culture, leadership, project management, and collaboration across teams. That guidance gave me clarity and direction I couldn’t have gotten from coursework alone. Through advice received by my mentors during college, I built a diverse toolkit instead of pursuing a rigid academic track. I took courses in science communication, data science, GIS, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit project work. This gave me flexibility in a field that’s broader and more interdisciplinary than many realize. My mentors didn’t just give me advice, they opened doors. My first internship manager became a mentor and later referred me for another role. Today, we both work at the same company, and she continues to inspire me. She introduced me to environmental health and safety (EHS). My second internship, at Zurn Elkay, exposed me to sustainability reporting frameworks, water estimation, and corporate communications—skills that I enjoy and now anchor my career. Currently, my coworker who is training me in a new field of environmental careers I was unaware of has also become my mentor.  

As a South Asian professional, I’ve often encountered skepticism about my career choice. My mentors helped me defy those stereotypes. In a way, I also became my own mentor by actively seeking opportunities. Taking that initiative gave me a sense of control over my life and my career, because I wanted to shape my own role in climate action. Mentorship gave me direction, but self-mentorship gave me courage. And in a couple of years, I’ll probably be exploring yet another corner of the environmental field, because that’s the beauty of this career: it’s constantly evolving, and so am I.

Mentorship has been the “village” that fueled my drive, broadened my vision, and helped me carve out space in this industry. My path wasn’t linear, but it was guided, and for that, I’m deeply grateful. And as I continue to grow, I carry forward that responsibility: to mentor others and help expand the pathways into this critical, evolving sector. This fall, I’ll be going back to my high school to speak about environmental careers and share my story. I know firsthand how powerful it is to see possibilities reflected at you and I’m proud to be part of Green 2.0’s efforts to build mentorship resources that bridge that gap for the next generation. Mentorship isn’t always a lifelong relationship—mentors come and go, showing up at the right time for the right chapter. I’ve kept in touch with many and continue to update them, knowing how pivotal their advice was in shaping each stage of my journey.