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Wondering if interests and passion can really align with your future career? Meet alumna, Jackie Harris ’23 ( and ). Jackie sought out various opportunities as an undergrad that led her to where she is today as a Sustainability Impact Analyst at Unitil. Learning in-demand skills, building a strong community network, and taking on challenging projects was the key to launching her career path.

“One of the most important aspects of my job today is calculating the GHG inventory for the entire company each year, and the UNH Greenhouse Gas Carbon Accounting certification course taught me everything I needed to know to take on the project.”

How did your time at UNH prepare you for where you are today?
Multiple opportunities helped me develop professionally before I even graduated. The summer after my sophomore year, I was a fellow in the Sustainability Institute’s Sustainability Fellowship, working for the City of Keene, NH to track and benchmark their energy and water usage. It was the first professional work experience I had outside of the typical high school job and it served as an integral steppingstone for the rest of my career. Every job I’ve had since graduating asked me about that experience during the interview process. It provided me with the environment to build both technical and soft skills that I use today. 

After my junior year, I participated in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship and conducted research on microplastic accumulation within rivers. This helped me hone my data collection, analysis, and research skills. I collaborated with a variety of different people, learning communication skills and how to be adaptable to any setbacks. 
 

Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10?
It is challenging to have a clear vision of where I see myself in the future because life changes so quickly. I could see myself leading a sustainability team, working on a variety of projects to promote corporate and social responsibility at Unitil. I can envision working on electrifying the company’s fleet vehicles, improving energy efficiency in our buildings, increasing the resilience of the utility infrastructure, and reducing our carbon footprint to meet net-zero goals. I also plan to travel a lot to hike, swim, and eat food all over the world. 

Looking back at your undergrad experience, what experiences helped guide your path?
Seizing opportunities and any experiences that teach valuable skills for future work. I can point back to each experience, both working and participating in organizations and clubs, and identify valuable lessons and skills I gained, and connect them back to my role now. I also got an idea of what I did and did not enjoy doing, so after graduating, I had good sense of where I wanted to go in my career. Pursuing your passions does not necessarily exclude you from gaining professional experience. I used my interests as my guide. I took on roles and projects that felt random (non-profits, finance, marketing, and higher education) but fueled my interests. I never gave up on my passions and made sure to have something lined up for when I entered a new chapter. If I ever felt stuck, I found a way to free myself for the next thing that inspired me.

What most influenced you while at UNH? 
The people that you meet. By following my passions, I continued to surround myself with peers and mentors that taught me what I needed to know to get here. My friends kept me grounded and so, found a work-life balance. 
 

What advice do you have for students interested in sustainability?
First, sustainability is embedded in everything, so you can forge a path if a role is not already carved out for you. This field does not always have “sustainability” in the title, so look at job descriptions that align with mission-driven work or are focused on improving social and environmental problems. Learn any buzzwords that might also be code for this type of work, such as “ESG” or “CSR.” Lastly, lean on the people you know, especially at the Sustainability Institute. Ask to attend events or get connected with people in the industry that are doing the work you want to do. 

What do you miss most about UNH?
I miss the community the most. Seeing my friends was so easy. Everyone was just a quick walking distance away. I miss having daily meals with my friends at the dining hall, walking downtown, and running into people I knew all over campus. 

Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I love dancing and am taking a dance class right now where I learn salsa, merengue, and bachata!