Realistic, practical, and useful advice for students and career changers.

I know, I've been there. I help students from all degree programs who plan to get jobs in environmental fields to understand the options available to them and how to be better prepared than the competition. Additionally, using my own experiences and knowledge of industry ins and outs, I help unsatisfied working professionals identify their best next steps.

MY STORY

MY ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

I started my college career in photography and design, then one day I just up and changed my mind. I wanted to work outdoors, so I switched my degree to Biology and basically started over.

During my college years, I received not a single piece of sincere or helpful career advice; everything focused on grades, nothing on what to do once I had my degree in hand.

After graduation, I got a job that, in hindsight, was in the wrong sector for me and ultimately after 10 years I was still unable to answer the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Like me, many students I work with graduate extremely underprepared to find a fulfilling job in the field that they studied.

I am now on a mission to ensure that students who choose environmental careers to get a head start, know what their options are, how to determine what they want and how to get it.

Additionally, I am fortunate to be a person who will not stand for anything less than everything I deserve and I made a change. Others struggle for various reasons to acknowledge their unhappiness and do something about it. I want to help you too.

8

Years

Environmental Scientist/Manager

I worked my up the ranks in a government agency from internship to management in just a few years. Getting ahead means making yourself valuable and being ready for the next level.

3

Years

TBAEP Board Officer

This is where my interest in helping students and others really blossomed. I met so many others who were struggling to get the enjoyment out of their careers that they had anticipated.

2

Years

Hillsborough Education Foundation Committee Member and Mentor

Mentoring can be done at any age. You may consider taking on a mentorship role for middle or high school students. You'll be amazed at how much you'll learn about leadership.

2

Years

Annual Women in STEM Workshop Committee

The latest inspiration for me to work with students and people wanting more from their careers by getting more from their peers. I love the community building aspect!

1

Years

GovLoop Mentor

I didn't spend a lot of time in this program but I learned a lot about what goes into a quality mentoring program, valuable lessons that I hope to pass on to others!

MY ENVIRONMENTAL CAREER

Laura J. Thorne

ABOUT ME

There are few things more disappointing than putting time, money, and effort into earning a degree and then not finding a matching fulfilling career.