Mary Levandoski
From September, 2012 through November, 2013 Carroll Sociology Of Sustainability (SOS) student Mary Levandoski visited several sites off-campus to explore potential careers in sustainability. These illustrated different SOS career tracks within various organizational settings—non-profit, commercial, government, and cooperative. Each progressed from SOS core courses--field trips in SOC 202 “Society and Ecology” along with work/shadow days in SOC 302 “Organizations and Work Life,” and then “Sustainability Field Projects in SOC 390.
Here Mary is shown in November, 2013 working with Tim Huth—a 2003 Carroll Sociology graduate—who operates a local CSA supplier called LOTFOTL (“Living Off The Fat Of The Land”). This Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) business networks with others to cooperatively get their produce sold to hundreds of buyers. LOTFOTL is located on a farm partly owned by Richard Quinney, a world renowned Criminologist and 1956 Carroll Sociology graduate. Mary hopes to launch her chosen career working full time at LOTFOTL after gradu-ating in May, 2014; following her “self-designed” SOS path in food production and distribution.
Earlier that November Mary work/shadowed a former Carroll faculty member Rebecca Mattano, who now supervises the Recycling and Solid Waste Program in Waukesha County’s Department of Parks and Land Use. That office oversees several innovative and highly successful recycling programs. Mary learned a lot about their education-outreach as well as composting. That experience helped supplement another SOS advanced course—SOC 390 “Sustainability Field Project”—in which Mary is helping Carroll University to recycle more and integrate sustainability into other campus operations, something she also delved into much more in another SOS core course ENV 222 “Environmental Sustainability.”
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In October, 2013 Mary did two half-day experiences at the Green Design Center—a small business specializing in healthy and sustainable buildings with locations in Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Antigo. There Mary worked with the owner Andy Pace, and Kelsey Holtz (also shown) to help showcase products in the store and for customers.They also reviewed their “Degree of Green” information center and website, see http://thegreendesigncenter.com/dog .
A couple days in two semesters in 2013, and a year before in 2012, Mary visited the non-profit Michael Fields Agricultural Institute to see and help in Stella Gardens. One event was part of an effort to help transition Stella Gardens towards a longer-term sustainable future. While perennial fruit and nut trees need some tender love and care in their first few years of establishment, they eventually require less labor and fewer inputs than their annual cousins. Here Mary (right) is shown with Carroll student Sara (left), and Stella Gardens Interns from Spain, Anna and Sonia (center), with a young apricot tree they planted among many in September,
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Chelsie Alf
Graduate from May 2012
What are you doing now?
I am working as a Residential Counselor at a Behavioral Health System in Southeastern Wisconsin. I work with adolescents who have obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, etc. I assist in overseeing resident care and programming activities to meet physical and emotional needs.
How did Carroll help you?
Carroll gave me a solid understanding of sociology and how I can use that in many fields of the work world. I didn't expect to be where I am now, but that's because sociology is so versatile and allowed me to have the opportunity to experience a variety of career paths. Carroll did an excellent job of preparing me for resume building and interviews. Carroll gave me confidence to embark on something new in my life post-graduation.
What advice do you have for current criminal justice or sociology students?
My advice to current students is to take advantage of opportunities to network. Take the time to connect on Linked In with former students who come in to speak to your class and go to the job fairs that Carroll offers. You never know, they may be able to help you find internships or land interviews. For students about to graduate, do not be discouraged when applying for jobs. It will take time and energy, but with the skills learned at Carroll, you will find yourself something great! Stay positive!
What are you doing now?
I am working as a Residential Counselor at a Behavioral Health System in Southeastern Wisconsin. I work with adolescents who have obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, depression, etc. I assist in overseeing resident care and programming activities to meet physical and emotional needs.
How did Carroll help you?
Carroll gave me a solid understanding of sociology and how I can use that in many fields of the work world. I didn't expect to be where I am now, but that's because sociology is so versatile and allowed me to have the opportunity to experience a variety of career paths. Carroll did an excellent job of preparing me for resume building and interviews. Carroll gave me confidence to embark on something new in my life post-graduation.
What advice do you have for current criminal justice or sociology students?
My advice to current students is to take advantage of opportunities to network. Take the time to connect on Linked In with former students who come in to speak to your class and go to the job fairs that Carroll offers. You never know, they may be able to help you find internships or land interviews. For students about to graduate, do not be discouraged when applying for jobs. It will take time and energy, but with the skills learned at Carroll, you will find yourself something great! Stay positive!