I work for the Environmental Protection Agency. Currently I am in the process of transitioning from my job as Manager of Strategic Climate Projects, EPA Climate Protection Partnerships Division and Co-Director, Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Partnership, into a new position with the agency, which is manager of the Energy Star Appliance and Climate Choice program. In a nutshell, I promote technologies that save money and help the climate by reducing emissions.

EDUCATION | BA, George Washington University, M.A. in International Science and Technology Policy, also at George Washington University

HOW TO GET STARTED | Get a degree in environmental protection or energy field. Get familiar with the issues. Volunteer for a local environmental group or find a professional development program in this field. Approach the agency you're interested in working for about an internship. Find out what you're most interested in, see how your skill set aligns with that, and try to fill in the gap.

MUST HAVE TRAITS | The ability to communicate well, engineering skills and environmental knowledge.

how I got started | : When I was in grad school studying science and technology policies focusing on the environment, I learned in my economics classes that you had to choose between economic progress and environmental protection. I didn't believe that. I felt it had to be possible to do both. I was offered an internship at Energy Star, and I jumped on it. I heard Dr. Stephen Anderson giving a presentation on how businesses could improve their bottom line and protect the environment at the same time, and I approached him about a job.

why this job?| It combines environmental protection, science, and technology in a way that makes sense for business and for consumers. Also, it's really rewarding to know that your mission is important to so many people. I've worked for EPA for five years now, and I've loved every minute of it. I got involved because I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to make a career out of doing something that I believed in.

why I love this job!| I know my job helps protect the environment. I love working with people and interacting with them. Plus, there's a good opportunity for professional advancement: government jobs offer a lot of opportunity.

my typical day| There is no such thing. Although some of the routine can be similar day-to-day, with meetings, e-mail and working on projects, there is a lot of variety depending on what you're working on. Right now, I'm working with General Motors on alternative refrigerant systems for automobile air conditioners designed to reduce pollution. We're also working on an advanced new home-construction technology package that includes energy-saving super-insulated wall systems, efficient heating and air conditioning, and advanced water heaters, so there's a lot of variety, working with different people on different projects.

what they are | Improving efficiency is a lot like diplomacy: you have a lot of stakeholders involved, all with different backgrounds and different interests, so getting everyone on board is challenging, but gratifying. The challenges are what make the job interesting.

all about growth | This is probably one of the areas with the biggest potential for growth, dealing with energy efficiency and environmental protection. I personally expect the opportunities to expand even more over the next several decades.

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