First Impressions and Future Aspirations: MS-ESM Students Reflect on Their First Few Months at Georgetown
Weronika Witkowska (MS-ESM’25) and Livia Sun (MS-ESM’25) share why they chose to pursue the M.S. in Environment and Sustainability Management (MS-ESM) program, their favorite experiences from their first few months at Georgetown, and what they’re most looking forward to over the coming year on the Hilltop and beyond.
Weronika Witkowska (MS-ESM’25)
I’m from Poland, and coming to the United States to study has long been a dream of mine. When I learned that I received the Fulbright Scholarship, it felt surreal and was a pivotal moment that marked the beginning of a dream turning into reality. I chose Georgetown’s MS-ESM program because it uniquely blends the scientific and business aspects of sustainability — an essential combination for tackling the multifaceted challenges we face today. This holistic approach is particularly important to me as I am interested in expanding my expertise in sustainable fashion, especially considering its negative impacts are frequently underestimated and continue to grow. In order to drive change, it is essential to fully understand the natural resources our planet provides as well as the environmental challenges faced by business sectors. Additionally, it is important to recognize the language of climate politics and the data behind climate operations — and that’s precisely what the MS-ESM program at Georgetown offers.
First Days at Georgetown
I was very impressed by the warm and welcoming atmosphere, as well as the diverse backgrounds within my cohort. With classmates hailing from business, engineering, and scientific fields, our conversations in class are not only lively but they also provide unique perspectives on issues that I had not considered before. I particularly appreciate our discussion-based classes like Environment, Business, and Sustainability Management as I feel the exchange of views broadens my perspective and enforces critical thinking, which ultimately hones soft skills that are vital in a business environment. Moreover, I already had an opportunity and am currently working on an exciting group project exploring current issues of the wool industry at the intersection of environment, sustainability, and business.
I also love the fact that my program collaborates with Georgetown’s M.S. in Environment and International Affairs. We recently enjoyed a joint happy hour, where we connected with peers from that program, shared our interests, and engaged in discussions about our previous experiences, our favorite events at Georgetown, and pressing environmental challenges while having a fun time together!
What I’m Most Looking Forward To
Looking ahead, I’m particularly excited about our capstone project to apply what we’ve learned in a practical setting. Additionally, I can’t wait for our first-ever “friendsgiving” with the cohort, where everyone will bring a dish from their home country — which will be a wonderful way to celebrate our diverse backgrounds and culinary traditions!
Livia Sun (MS-ESM’25)
I received my undergraduate degree in civil engineering and over the last seven years, I have been working on various construction projects all over the country from heavy civil to mission-critical tech. I’ve been fortunate to experience many different roles, including in estimating, supply chain, contract management, cost, and scheduling, ranging from the owner’s team to the contractor’s side and from public to private clients. Regardless of the nature of the projects, one thing was clear to me: sustainability takes a backseat in construction when margins are tight and schedules are delayed. Additionally, when there are multiple stakeholders and shareholders involved, it’s not only a matter of having the specific technical solutions to drive sustainability, but also the knowledge to communicate effectively to a diverse audience with varying objectives and be able to secure buy-in. This is why I chose Georgetown’s MS-ESM program. I was excited about the unique collaboration between the Earth Commons Institute and McDonough School of Business that will help me build upon my existing technical and business knowledge.
First Days at Georgetown
One of the most pleasant surprises of my graduate school experience so far has been the diversity of the cohort. It sounds silly, but coming into the program, I thought a majority of people would have majored in environmental science or something similar and worked in a similar industry. This is not the case and I’ve really enjoyed learning about everyone’s educational and working backgrounds — from history and law to finance and fashion. This diversity expands beyond the classroom and into everyone’s hobbies and interests as well. I’ve been introduced to new music, new sports (i.e. pickleball), and new restaurants. It’s been a refreshing reminder that there’s no single identity in sustainability. As much as I’ve enjoyed the planned events, some of my favorite moments have been the in-between ones: walking into Hariri and seeing my classmates before class, taking the same bus to school in the morning, or sharing an Uber after an event. These interactions make the campus and city feel a lot smaller and have given me a chance to connect with classmates more personally.
What I’m Most Looking Forward To
I’m most looking forward to the breadth of guest lecturers that the university brings to campus! Having been in the workforce and focused on one particular area of expertise for a few years, I am excited about the opportunity to learn from and engage with leaders and policy experts from various industries. I’m particularly eager to attend talks on topics that interest me but are outside my core classes in order to learn in a manner I might not otherwise encounter.