ROI of the Georgetown University MS-ESM Program

Sponsored Content – originally from Clear Admit

The Georgetown University Master of Science in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) is a transformative program that merges scientific expertise with business acumen, empowering individuals to tackle pressing environmental challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future within diverse organizational settings.

Developed collaboratively by the Earth Commons Institute, the McDonough School of Business, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the MS-ESM program recognizes the pivotal roles of both scientific understanding and business principles in advancing sustainability goals worldwide.

In this article, we hear from two MS-ESM alumni who are now making waves in the realm of environment and sustainability. Through their narratives, we uncover the unique facets of the program, its interdisciplinary approach, and the impact it has had on shaping their careers as principled leaders in this critical field.

Read on to learn how Georgetown’s MS-ESM program equips aspiring environmental champions with the knowledge, skills, and networks needed to effect positive change and create a more sustainable world.

Daniel Haghjou, Georgetown McDonough MS-ESM Class of 2023

Age: 25
Hometown: Germantown, Maryland
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Texas State University- BS in Health Science/Biology
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Georgetown MS-ESM, Class of 2023 (first cohort)

Pre-MS-ESM Work Experience: In undergrad, I worked in the medical field. From being a medical scribe in the ER during the COVID crisis to working as a surgery assistant for a urology surgeon. During MS-ESM I worked as an operations supervisor at DC Bouldering Project (a climbing gym) 
Post- MS-ESM Work Experience: I work as a sustainability planner for Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)

Why did you choose to attend Georgetown University? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
It had always been a dream of mine to attend Georgetown University. I remember being a little kid and running around the campus, I was absolutely fascinated by the campus, and told myself that one day I would be a student. For grad school, it came down to accepting my Georgetown offer or Johns Hopkins offer. I decided to go with Georgetown not only to quell my childhood dreams, but also because I was interested in the cross-section of environmental science and business, as well as being able to be part of the first cohort.  

Please elaborate on your current professional role. What about your MS-ESM experience prepared you for it?
Curriculum
I thoroughly enjoyed the cross-coordination of the curriculum. It was very evident that the professors had gotten together to fully integrate and plan out their lessons so that there would be beneficial overlap. As a science nerd, I enjoyed the environmental science classes the most, but I found myself particularly engaged in the business courses taught by professor Agrawal, as this was a whole new landscape to me that was incredibly mind-opening.

Activities
The career talks were most beneficial to me, with professionals in their given industries coming to discuss what they do and how they got there. The ability to be there in person with them, and pick their brain of useful real-life information was very influential to my growth in my professional life.

Career Services
Georgetown’s career services provided some good tools to shape up my resume.

MS-ESM Alumni
I am still friends with most of my fellow peers from the program, and each and every one of them is open to connecting and helping each other out in any way possible.

Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I applied to quite a number of jobs across the nation. I had some offers that were financially appealing but were not in an ideal location. Some opportunities were in a place I could thrive with a great company but pay was less than ideal. It took time, but finding a good middle ground on ideal place, ideal pay, and ideal organization is what set WDFW apart. Additionally, I could tell in the interview process, that they were not solely looking to fill a role or check a box. They truly care about the environment and had very ambitious plans that excited me to join them.

Advice for prospective applicants: What is one thing you would absolutely do again as part of your application process to the MS-ESM program?
For applicants, be true to yourself. You might think that your experience or background won’t line up perfectly, but the program is not looking for a perfect fit. MS-ESM truly seeks a truly diverse applicant group with people from many different backgrounds and fields.

What do you think has been the ROI of the MS-ESM program, for you? 
The connections I have made through the program have been most valuable to me personally. Not only with fellow cohort members and professors, but also guest speakers and professionals in my sector that have been made through my time at Georgetown University.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Study hard but don’t forget to have fun!

Andrea Marin Monterrubio, Georgetown McDonough MS-ESM Class of 2023

Age: 34
Hometown: Mexico City, Mexico
Undergraduate Institution and Major: Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM) / BA in Law
Graduate Business School, Graduation Year and Concentration: Georgetown University McDonough School of Business, MS-ESM, Class of 2023
Pre-MS-ESM Work Experience:

• General Director, Energyby5 Mexico, 3 years, Clean Energy
• COO, Energyby5 Mexico, 2 years, Clean Energy
• Director of Business Development, Blue Energy and Electricity, 1 year, Energy
• Advisor, Mexican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, 1 year

Post- MS-ESM Work Experience: Director of Origination – Americas, Prologis, 0.5 years, Clean Energy

Why did you choose to attend Georgetown University? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to attend?
I decided to attend Georgetown’s MS-ESM program to advance my career and fill in knowledge gaps. As a lawyer, the program offered me the opportunity to develop both analytical and scientific skills, which are essential in addressing complex business and sustainability challenges.

Please elaborate on your current professional role. What about your MS-ESM experience prepared you for it?
Curriculum
The most relevant courses for me were finance and data analysis. The analytical skills that I gained in these courses are already allowing me to approach energy sector challenges with a more informed and strategic perspective.

Community
The most important parts of my growth during the MS-ESM program were the connections made and the casual talks that happened. Talking with professors who showed different opportunities, chatting with classmates from various backgrounds in the same industry, and joining networking events in lively Washington, DC, were significant experiences. These interactions gave me a wide view to position myself to handle the big challenge of our time: climate change.

Career Services
Career services gave me a plan to figure out my dream job and how to get it. They kept me on track from the beginning of the program, making sure I did things every month that eventually led to me getting hired by Prologis.

MS-ESM Alumni
MS-ESM alumni played a pivotal role in supporting my professional success by consistently keeping me motivated and fostering eagerness throughout my journey. Engaging with them provided valuable insights into their own career paths, successes, and challenges, serving as a source of inspiration.

Why did you choose your current company? What factors figured most prominently into your decision of where to work?
I chose my current company, Prologis, for a couple of key reasons. Firstly, I had prior experience working with them in my previous role, and they stood out as my favorite client. Secondly, the company culture played a significant role in my decision. Additionally, the opportunity to collaborate with intelligent and high-performing individuals adds to the appeal.

What do you think has been the ROI of the MS-ESM program, for you?
The ROI of the MS-ESM program for me has been unquestionably positive. I’ve landed my dream job, actively contributing to the carbon neutrality efforts of utility companies across the U.S. Each day, I collaborate with like-minded individuals, creating an environment where continuous learning is a constant.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?
As a member of the inaugural MS-ESM graduating class, I hope the program continues to cultivate professionals who can effectively bridge the gap between science and business. By fostering knowledge exchange between these two fields, the program can empower future graduates to navigate the complex intersection of sustainability and business. This interdisciplinary approach will be crucial in tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change and driving meaningful change in both scientific and business contexts.

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