Bren Environmental-Studies Fellowship

Bren-Environmental Studies Fellows Cohort 2024-2025

BREN-ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES FELLOWS PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Developed by the Bren School in order to increase representation in the field by nurturing the professional aspirations of Environmental Studies students, BESF provides skills workshops and mentoring for 3rd and 4th year UCSB students who come from marginalized communities, low-income families, and/or who are the first in their families to attend a four-year college, the Program seeks to encourage them to see themselves as emerging environmental professionals. To that end, we offer:

workshops in grad school applications, professional communication, resumes, networking, and interviewing, with individualized Mock interviews
1:1 mentoring with Bren and ES faculty, students, and staff
Lunchtime seminars and networking opportunities with environmental faculty and professionals
a stipend in the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters

Interested in joining next year's cohort? Consider applying today. The deadline for 2025 applications will be Monday 21 April, 2025, 5PM PST. Questions? contact Program Director Heather Stanford, stanford@ucsb.edu. APPLY HERE

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A MENTOR?

Many students are eager to meet a mentor yet find it challenging to find one in such a large Program as ES. We welcome UCSB faculty, grad students, alums, and professionals–all that’s needed is for you to fill out the Intake Form, speak briefly with the Director, and be willing to meet a student at least once for lunch or coffee (on us!) or even on a Zoom. If you’re concerned about the time commitment, note that the majority of our Fellows appreciate even a single meeting–this need not be a long time-commitment. We provide mentoring guidelines and train the students in how to structure the conversation.

Please consider joining us today–we’d be glad to enlist you into the ranks!

Interested in the Program?

Deadline for applications will be Monday 21 April, 2025

Apply Here Questions? Email Heather Stanford, Program Director

The Fellows Program helped me develop the confidence to reach out to professors and working professionals through their professional correspondence training and mock interviews.

Evelyn Bermudez, BESF 2022-24

What I've valued the most is engaging with people in my major whom I would never have otherwise met...it's like having built in friends! The opportunities to champion our personal interests into volunteer initiatives...is what makes this fellowship feel like it is focused on our values and interests as a student body.

Alethia Moreno, BESF 2022-24

The Bren ES-Fellows program offers numerous opportunities for networking and professional exploration, broadening my horizons when it comes to future careers.... Through this fellowship, I connected with a local wealth management firm, unveiling a newfound interest in the role of sustainability in investing and wealth management. The program's mentors have proven invaluable, providing career guidance and opening the doors to new opportunities.

Lisa Tobin, BESF 2022-2024

Being a Bren Fellow has been super helpful in preparing me for the professional world. Learning {about} jobs and grad programs...in the environmental field, and how to network and build my resume ...were things I would not have had the chance to learn... otherwise. I am also incredibly grateful for all the friends I have made through the Bren Fellowship... we have been able to encourage and hold each other accountable when it comes to our career goals.

Zoey-Jasmine Moody, BESF 2022-24

One of the greatest benefits of the Bren Fellows program lies in the sense of community it fosters. Through the network of graduate and faculty mentors as well as like-minded peers, all passionate about advancing their careers in the environmental field, I have found invaluable support... students are able to lean on each other for advice on everything from navigating classes to providing day-to-day support. We also have the opportunity to turn to professors and graduate students ... for guidance on ... research or broader career interests....The program has taught me that cultivating a strong network is among the most crucial steps toward securing opportunities in the field!

Marian Walker, BESF 2022- 24

Joining the BESF program has equipped me with extremely valuable connections and experiences with Bren faculty and graduate students {which} have immensely prepared me during my law school application process and finding employment post-graduation.

Madison Salinas, BESF 2022-24

Participating in the BESF Program at the Bren School has helped me develop better communication and networking skills. The program has also helped me meet incredible people/mentors with the same passion and goals as I do for the environment.

Andre Marquez, BESF 2023-24

I have been inspired by other fellows within the BESF program ...to apply myself to get involved in opportunities within campus. The supportive environment has truly allowed me to become the best environmental studies student I can be.

Hibah Genie, BESF 2023-24

No other program at UCSB has been more applicable and useful for my career than the Bren-ES Fellows Program. I've gotten the opportunity to connect with professors and peers in the environmental field in a one-on-one setting while also receiving valuable advice on interviews, resumes, and cover letters.

Vikesh Dheeriya, BESF 2023-24

The Fellows Program was super helpful when practicing interviews and receiving those pointers on my strengths and weaknesses. Both times I completed the activity with Heather, I left with beneficial feedback that I have utilized in all of my professional interviews since then. Not only that, but through this program I was fortunate enough to network with many people and one of them actually became my boss! Overall, I'm pretty grateful to have been a part of it and wish it existed sooner in my undergraduate career.

Angie Garcia, BESF 2021-2022

Being in this fellowship, I have learned so much about my field in environmental studies that I would have not been able to achieve through classes. I also learned professional skills such as networking and resume building. This program gave me the opportunity to grow as a person and meet and experience a lot of people and events

Dominique Changlee, BESF 2023-24

Being a scholar and a part of the program has been an enriching experience, and I am proud to be an alumnus.

Jada Alexander, BESF 2021-2023