Teaching Young Adults About Careers in the Sciences

The Little Village Environmental Justice Organization’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Career Exploration and Climate Change Youth Summit, held at the The Field Museum on February 15th.

Bryant Williams, Manager of Engineering Services for the Cook County Department of Environmental Control, attends community events to help educate high school and college students about the importance of and opportunities for careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math field.   Williams directs the Demolition and Asbestos Removal inspection programs at Cook County, and also runs the Demolition Debris Diversion program, which is achieving over 90% recycling and reuse of materials from demolitions and renovations in suburban Cook County.

Williams, who has a degree in Environmental Science and Biology, tells students that he chose an environmental career after reading Ismael by Daniel Quinn, which discusses how man’s use of the planet’s resources is harming the Earth.  He counsels students that the most important courses he took in college were chemistry (especially organic chemistry), environmental law, communications and introduction to environmental science.

The Morton College’s seminar A Promising Future, Exploring Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math that was held at the College at the end of the month.

“I use these events as an opportunity to describe the numerous career paths that are available in the environmental field, particularly locally,” said Williams. “These careers include environmental engineering, urban planning, environmental policy and law, and environmental advocate/lobbyist, among others. Participating in events such as these is an excellent chance to introduce young people to the importance of environmental careers, but it also gives me such great satisfaction to work with the next generation of environmental stewards.”