Dylan Dando, ’14, shares about his post-graduate path and what he’s learned along the way.
Dylan Dando, like a number of our students, found his way into the environmental studies program through a little experimentation. Coming out of high school, he knew he was interested in and had a passion for the sciences. In fact, he was leaning toward teaching secondary biology. After taking some biology courses however, he realized perhaps teaching might not be for him—but he didn’t want to give up on the sciences. He met with his adviser and some professors who guided him into the environmental studies major. This turned out to be, “one of the best choices I have made,” says Dando.
He loved his time on campus; the atmosphere, the students, professors, including everything he learned in the environmental Studies program. “[It was] enjoyable to be around others who had the same passions.” One of his fondest memories and favorite classes is still beginners and intermediate GIS.
Dando was also one in the very first group of Seminar Forest interns on campus, overseen by our very own Sustainability Council. Putting to good use that GIS experience, he maintained existing trails, researched ongoing conservation efforts, and proposed future projects that remain in a larger development plan—a plan which will continue to conserve our forest and aide as a guide for an environmental education and demonstration site.
Today, Dando is the die-casting manager at Pace Industries. He started at Pace in 2016, where he’s since been twice promoted. Recently, he completed his OSHA 30 as well as received his Advanced Safety Certificate (ASC). The environmental studies program plans to bring Dylan back as a speaker to discuss environmental safety with students as this becomes an increasingly popular demand from environmental employers.
When asked what piece of advice Dando would offer to students working through the program, “Enjoy your time and soak in as much knowledge as you can. Ask a lot of questions and meet with your professors frequently. All who are involved with environmental studies are highly focused on helping their students succeed.”
Written by Erin Nachtman, ’10
