My name is Grady Hicks. I was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and grew up in Jefferson City, Tennessee. During my upbringing in beautiful East Tennessee, I participated in my local Boy Scout troop and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. As a Boy Scout, I hiked Rocky Top in the Great Smokey Mountains, canoed the Little Pigeon River, and camped in many farms, Scout camps and backpacking trails. I took my love and respect for the outdoors to Tennessee Technological University where I am currently pursuing a bachelors degree in environmental and sustainable studies with a minor in political science. During my time here I have worked as an intern at the Tennessee Tech Wesley Foundation, which is a campus ministry associated with the Methodist church In working there I have acted as the Athletic Director. The position involved me encouraging students to act with faith in various intramural sports hosted by the university. I do basically every activity, from basketball to inner tube water polo. I also am involved with the Honors Program at Tech, serving on the Associated Scholar’s Guild Steering Committee as well as participating with the Environmental and Community Service society. I am also a tour guide with the Trailblazer program, representing the university to potential incoming students.
I am currently living in Cookeville, Tennessee as I complete my schooling. Things I enjoy doing outside of my jobs include reading fantasy books, such as the Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson, as well as running and spending time with friends.
As our planet starts to change, it is crucial that we adjust our actions as humans. This involves acting more sustainably. “Sustainability means that we meet our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to fulfill their needs” (Castonguay, 2022). In today’s society, the values a company hold are almost as important as the subject or the pay. The sustainability of the corporation is a priority for young people entering the work force, as well as investors. “[I]nvestors say they would pay a premium for companies with positive ESG [environmental, social and governance] records—some more than 50%” (CoachHub, 2022). Thus, it is important for corporations to be in good standing with environmental expectations, both from a profit standpoint as well as an ethical one.
Environmental education seeks to mend this broken connection. Two degrees in particular accomplish the task more than any other. Environmental science “is related to the science of the environment only”. It involves several disciplines, such as physical, biological and information sciences (including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, geology and physical geography, and atmospheric science)” (Brown, 2020). Environmental studies, though it sounds similar, focuses on “[t]he natural environment, the built environment, and the relationship between them” (Blaylock, 2020). I am pursuing the later degree because I am interested specifically in the way humans impact the environment and how we can mitigate our footprint.
When it comes to what job to pursue with this education, there are several different options. Some, such as water treatment sciences, are obviously a STEM discipline. A sustainability specialist, on the other hand, I would argue is more of a social science (Student Employment Services, 2023). However, there are those of which that blur the line between soft and hard science. Wildlife conservation is one of these, since depending on the day one can be focusing on the human-wildlife interaction, and another looking at the effects of a certain species on another (Rastogi, 2023).
In short, there are lots of options for me to apply my skills. Take James Pizaro, an environmental studies major who joined the Coast Guard to study the effects of climate change on antarctic sea routes (Emproto, 2022). The relevance of his degree to his job is questionable, but his interest in environmental issues is highly advertised because of his degree. Other advertised options include an environmental consultant, GIS specialist, policy advisor and transportation planner (Yonature, 2021) I have chosen to accept an internship at Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a corporation that provides electricity for the Tennessee Valley area. I will be working with their environmental planning department as something of a sustainability specialist, “assess[ing] the environmental practices and impact of an organization and recommend and implement strategies to conserve resources and limit environmental damage” (Profita, 2022). This position will be remote based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee for the duration of the summer of 2023. After this internship, there is a good chance I am offered a full time position at TVA.
Blaylock, D. (2020, November 12). What is environmental studies, and why should you major in it? Augustana College. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.augustana.edu/blog/what-environmental-studies-and-why-should-you-major-it
Brown, J. (2020, March 15). What is the difference between Environmental Studies and science? KnowledgeBurrow.com. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://knowledgeburrow.com/what-is-the-difference-between-environmental-studies-and-science/
Castonguay, C. (2022, January 25). Why Study Environmental Science and Sustainability Studies? MASTERSTUDIES. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.masterstudies.com/article/why-study-environmental-science-and-sustainability-studies/
CoachHub. (2022, October 20). Why Environmental Sustainability should be a priority in your organization. CoachHub. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.coachhub.com/en/blog/why-environmental-sustainability-should-be-a-priority-in-your-organization/
Emproto, R. (2022, February 10). Coast Guard enables environmental studies and economics major to serve country and planet – SBU news. SBU News – News & Features at Stony Brook University. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/coast-guard-enables-environmental-studies-and-economics-major-to-serve-country-and-planet/
Profita, M. (2022, April 13). Best jobs for graduates with an environmental studies degree. Career Center | Emory University. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://careercenter.emory.edu/blog/2022/01/12/best-jobs-for-graduates-with-an-environmental-studies-degree/
Rastogi, S. (2023, February 20). Importance of environmental studies for students. Blogs on Education Industry. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://blog.teachmint.com/importance-of-environmental-studies-for-students/
Student Employment Services. (2023, March 15). 7 careers that an environmental science degree can GET YOU: Student employment services. Student Employment Services | Internships | Student Placements | Graduate Jobs. Retrieved April 27, 2023, from https://www.studentemploymentservices.co.uk/blog/7-careers-that-an-environmental-science-degree-can-get-you
Yonature. (2021, February 19). Environmental studies: Degree, topics, importance, jobs. Yo Nature. Retrieved April 28, 2023, from https://www.yonature.com/environmental-studies-degree-topics-importance-jobs/
About Me 