Major: Environmental Analysis
Profession: Hunter-gatherer, , San Francisco
Hometown: Chicago
What are you doing now?
I'm currently the hunter-gatherer at Smitten Ice Cream. This means I source all the ingredients for Smitten's six (soon to be 10!) ice cream shops. I get to meet with happy cows and amazing chocolatiers!
How did you get there?
I've always been really passionate about sustainable food systems. During my time at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ, I carefully studied the food the dining hall was purchasing to determine if it was local, organic and humanely-raised for my environmental analysis senior thesis. I worked at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ for several years after graduating to bring sustainability to the dining halls. Eventually I wanted to make my way to the Bay Area and Smitten was looking for someone to take on their procurement.
How did ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ prepare you?
My work at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ taught me about sustainable food systems and gave me the knowledge and on-the-ground experience to bring about change in the dining halls and now at Smitten.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I would love to work with all sorts of companies (big, small, new, established) to help improve the sustainability of their food products.
Any advice for prospective or current students?
A lot of people tell you to find your passion, but it's also really important to work hard. I realized at ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ that I really care about being able to eat good food, but it's because I worked hard to learn everything I could about the food ƽÌØÎå²»ÖÐ was purchasing that they offered me a position to bring sustainability to the dining halls.