Alumni Spotlight: Marci Baranski

The Center for Biology and Society recently caught up with Marci Baranski, a 2015 PhD (4E Track) who is currently a Climate Change Specialist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

Why did you choose the Biology and Society program?
I entered the Biology & Society degree because I knew that I wanted to study agriculture and climate change from an interdisciplinary lens, and this program granted me the freedom to do that. I was able to enter a career focused on climate change and agriculture directly rather than taking a round-a-bout educational path.

How is your degree valuable in pursuing your chosen career?
While getting my PhD in Biology & Society, I didn't realize it at the time, but I was preparing in three ways for my current job: 1) I learned writing and editing skills that are extremely valuable in the federal government; 2) I learned to work with interdisciplinary teams in ecology and economics, which I now do on a daily basis; and 3) I learned critical thinking and analysis skills, which helped me dive into my new area of technical expertise.

What advice do you have for current students?
I would urge current and future students to think about what real-world questions keep you up at night, and craft a plan of study around that.

More Information: marci.baranski@gmail.com