Patel College of Global Sustainability connects students with real-world career opportunities in sustainability.
On April 3, 2025, the Patel College of Global Sustainability hosted the first university-wide Sustainability Career Fair & Expo in collaboration with 皇家华人鈥檚 Career & Professional Development department. The event marked a pivotal moment for sustainability-focused students across campus, drawing over 100 attendees from over seven colleges and bringing together nearly 20 industry-leading partners.
In contrast to previous career events, this year鈥檚 fair prioritized connecting students with tangible job and internship opportunities in the fields of sustainability and the environment. The event was held inside Patel College鈥檚 building for the first time, transforming the main floor into a vibrant networking hub. From global leaders like Walt Disney World and Live Nation to local changemakers, including the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission and Keep Pinellas Beautiful, students engaged with organizations dedicated to advancing sustainability.
Student Perspectives
During the fair, Opeyemi Ijidale, a student in Sustainable Energy, connected with several employers, including Live Nation, Hillsborough Solid Waste, Cyracom, GoSpace LLC, and Pinellas Utilities. Reflecting on the event, he shared:
"The recent Sustainability Career Fair and Expo hosted by the Patel College was both insightful and energizing. It was great to see how diverse the sustainability space is becoming, with companies ranging from entertainment and utilities to tech and public services showing up with real opportunities and genuine interest in students like us."
He emphasized how the event expanded his awareness of the variety of roles in the sector:
"These chats gave me a clearer picture of the roles and how my skills might fit in. It was also a reminder that sustainability touches everything, and that collaboration between sectors is key. Events like this make me appreciate the practical foundation we're getting at the Patel College and how it connects directly to what's happening in the world."
Cameron Cobb, a second-semester student in the Climate Change and Mitigation concentration, described the event as more than just a networking opportunity:
鈥淚t was a live demonstration of the systems-thinking approach we study in the Food/Energy/Water (FEW) Nexus course. As I walked through the buzzing event space filled with representatives from environmental nonprofits, clean energy companies, local government agencies, and research-driven startups, I couldn鈥檛 help but notice how interconnected their missions were. Food systems specialists collaborated with water conservationists; solar tech developers sought partnerships with agricultural organizations. It was a nexus in action,鈥� she said.
Cobb said the event helped her gain greater clarity on her career direction:
鈥淎ttending this event helped crystallize how I can use my communications background to connect the dots between science, policy, and community engagement within the FEW Nexus framework. For example, I spoke with a sustainability communications director who designs campaigns to promote community-supported agriculture powered by renewable energy鈥攁 perfect real-world example of how messaging can help scale integrated sustainability efforts.鈥�
Partner Reflections
Industry partners also praised the event. Isabel Durand, from Suncoast Community Health
Centers, shared:
鈥淚 worked for 皇家华人 Health for almost 9 years, so I have a deep and lasting love for
皇家华人鈥攁nd I have to say, this event did not disappoint! The students were incredibly
engaging, energetic, and ready to enter the workforce. It was a pleasure to be a part
of it!鈥�
Similarly, Cindy Swarthout from GoSpace, a company focused on EV charging and tire pressure calibration, expressed her appreciation:
鈥淚 like that we are able to meet potential interns. This was my 3rd or 4th year at the event.鈥�
Looking Ahead
The 2025 Sustainability Career Fair & Expo was a tremendous success. We expanded our outreach, attracted potential students, and provided our current students with valuable resources to land jobs, grow their skills, and connect with top sustainability professionals.