On Feb. 22, 2026, the Sustainability Initiative teamed up with the Phipps Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) to host a career event at Phipps Conservatory. “Careers for a Changing Climate” welcomed almost 100 high school, undergraduate, and graduate students to explore sustainability career paths and network with professionals across the field.
The mini conference opened with a keynote speech presented by Leslie Montgomery, Vice President of Education for the Green Building Alliance, who addressed what the field of sustainability needs right now and how early career professionals can find their place in the field. Attendees then participated in three rounds of breakout sessions focused on what sustainability work looks like in various sectors, led by experts from CMU, Phipps, and other organizations.