Alumni Spotlight: Austin Holmes

Welcome to our first Alumni Spotlight, featuring Austin Holmes! Austin is a graduate of the Environmental & Sustainability Studies Program (ENVST) and is now making an impact as the Community Resource & Engagement Specialist for Utah as a part of the Mountains & Plains Thriving Communities Collaborative. 

What was a transformative experience you had as an ENVST student? 

As an ENVST student, I met many of the connections and learned the fundamental knowledge that has made me who I am today, and that has allowed me to be in the professional position that I am in. I was rather aimless before the ENVST program, and the people I met through the program such as Brett Clark, Jennifer Watt, and Adrienne Cachelin, among many others, guided and instructed me in deeply powerful ways. The content of the ENVST program itself was important for me to learn, but it was the wonderful people who run and are a part of the program that really changed my life. 

What are you working on? 

I am currently working as the Community Resource & Engagement Specialist for Utah as a part of the Mountains and Plains Thriving Communities Collaborative (in partnership with Utah State University), which is the Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Center (TCTAC) for EPA Region 8. The TCTACs exist to provide pro bono technical assistance to community-based organizations throughout the nation with grant assistance, capacity building, organizational development, coalition building, and more that is related to environmental and energy projects. My job specifically is to meet with community members and organizations in Utah to assess their needs, connect them with resources and subject matter experts within our network, and assist them on a personal basis with any needs they have regarding grant work and their capacity as an organization. 

Do you have any advice for current students? 

My advice for current students would be to network as much as possible while at the university. Meet people within your program and throughout the university, and diversify between faculty, staff, and students. The relationships you build during your time at the university can last for years and be some of the best experiences you can have, in addition to being crucial in your career path. I would also say that, while it isn't possible to predict the trajectory you will take beyond your time at the university, try your best to look ahead, and imagine the types of knowledge bases and skills you will want to have down the road for whatever it is you are going into. For example, I look back on my courses and wish that I had integrated more statistics and data studies into what I was taking, as it would have helped me a lot in the work I have done since. It's a balancing act of studying what you want, and what you think you will need to be more competitive for positions and to have a more intersectional education. 

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We are excited to continue following along Austin's journey! If you know of an ESS alumni who we should highlight, please reach out to crystal.chen@utah.edu.