Hi there! My name is Izzy and I am a senior at the University of California Santa cruz earning a Bachelors in Environmental studies with a concentration in conservation science and policy as well as a Bachelors in Sociology. In school I have been pursuing opportunities that will help me achieve my goals to join the field of Restoration Ecology and Radio Journalism. I am a radio station DJ with a love for the natural world. In my free time I enjoy going to house shows, roller skating, crocheting, playing instruments with my friends, volunteering, and going on hikes and little adventures around Santa Cruz. I have grown to know my school and town very well, and have met some amazing friends and teachers! I understand how intimidating the changes that come with going to college can be. It looks different for everyone, but I have found that no matter what your starting point is when you make that big change, there are an incredible amount of possibilities and opportunities available to you, to help you find your own path.

Hometown

Berkeley California

Major(s)

Environmental studies, Sociology

Clubs, organizations & involvement

KZSC radio station DJ and Governing Board member UCSC Forest Ecology Research Plot Census Technician Younger Lagoon Natural Reserve Restoration Technician Slugs and Fishnets CHES Groundskeeper Film Production Coalition

Describe your college experience

I came to college right out of high school and spent my first year in the College 9 dorms at UC Santa Cruz, the sister college to John R Lewis college. I found that people were extremely welcoming and outgoing where I was located, but made friends by intentionally reaching out to people I clicked with. From there I joined clubs, explored the town, spent a lot of time in the library doing homework and with my friends. That first year I learned a lot about myself, from what I was interested in academically, as well as my own self expression and personal interests​/​hobbies.I moved off campus my second year of school with some friends, and have lived on the westside of town ever since. I think my connection with my community only grew, and I started pursuing more opportunities that guided me in the directions I want to be going. I have done internships in conservation and restoration science, I have volunteered at the Farm and Greenhouse. I have become deeply involved with the radio station and have joined in clubs I love, both part of the school and the greater Santa Cruz community. The connections I have made here are incredibly important to me now, and will be going into my future.

Tip for future students

Tips I have based on my experience and my peers: - Do not be too be nervous to make connections with faculty! Ask them about their work, talk to them about your interests. This will absolutely help you in acquiring research opportunities and sometimes jobs. But also just helps you meet really cool people, and engage in networking. - Tutoring is immensely helpful, schedule office hours, sign up for a supplemental tutoring course, utilize the learning center. - Internships! UCSC offers a wide array of internships, often for 2-5 units, this is a great way to gain hands on experience in the fields you are interested in. - Career center: Utilize the career center, they will help you find jobs, review your resumes and cover letters, and offer mock interviews to help you prepare for a real one. - Free student resources: Cowell Coffee shop, redwood free market, cantu queer center, SHOP, are all places where students can receive free food and other resources pertaining to individuals needs. - Clubs: There are a lot! And you can get involved at any time, I highly recommend joining one if it truly peaks your interest, a great way to meet people with similar interests, and develop professional experience. - Go to and sign up for events! Obviously you don't have to go to every single one, the school offers academic speakers, there are research symposiums, Musical performances, theatre, dance, check out the quarterly film festival, and especially those radio station events, a great way to have some fun and make connections, and it's all free! - Be ready to take public transit that gets busy! The school has shuttles that take you around campus. The city buses will also come through campus, and students utilize those to get around town. Make sure to say thank you to your bus driver :) - Housing can get tricky and is expensive: Guaranteed housing for incoming students is becoming more accessible past freshman year, however you should be ready for the possibility of renting off campus sooner than you originally planned.

Favorite class

One of my favorite classes has been Restoration Ecology with Dr. Karen Holl. In this class I learned the ins and outs of what it truly means and what it truly takes to restore different types of ecosystems. We went on field trips throughout Santa Cruz, participated in restoration work days to gain hands on experience and learned from guest speakers. It was a challenge at times, but I learned so much, and from such a respected restoration scientist. Another class I loved was Intro to radio​/​production. You have to apply and volunteer at the station to be accepted into the course, but if you make that commitment you will have a blast learning about how to become a DJ, as well as studying radio journalism. You are paired up with a current station DJ on one of their shows and gain hands on experience in the air room, and the stations multiple studios to make your own shows and learn what it takes to be apart of and run a radio station. You then can go on to being a radio DJ yourself.

Career goals

I plan to go into the field of Restoration Ecology, particularly as a habitat restoration technician. I am especially interested in river and wetland restoration. I am also very interested in working in scientific journalism​/​radio.

Ideal way to spend a free night

A free night at the end of the week is usually spent with some friends going to a local house show (lots of musical artists here), grabbing some food downtown, and then hanging out at each others homes. Other great evening activities I like to do: Beach Bonfire​/​bbq, Santa Cruz beach boardwalk​/​arcade, bowling alley. The roller rink is awesome!! Catching a $5 movie at the Santa Cruz Cinema on a Tuesday evening. Seeing an orchestra concert that a friends in, seeing the school opera​/​plays. I am big on roller skating so I often go to skatepark meetups.

High school or secondary school

Berkeley High School, California, USA