Guy Gutterman, a continuing MSEM student starting his second year in the program this Fall, has been working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Program Analyst since May 2023. His goal in pursuing his graduate degree is to bolster his foundational knowledge of environmental sciences – complementing his professional experiences with other organizations including Lawrence Berkeley National Lab (LBNL) and San Francisco Bay Water Quality Control Board.
We recently caught up with Guy, who shared his perspective on the program.
What is your current role with the EPA? Tell us a little about a day-in-the-life of your job.
“I am currently a Program Analyst in the Superfund and Emergency Management Division of EPA Region 9, based in San Francisco. This role functions primarily as a coordinator for cross-branch activities within the division, such as various reporting requirements and all staff meetings. The role also serves as a liaison for requests that come from other Divisions and the Office of the Regional Administrator. Additionally, I serve as the training coordinator and back-up communications liaison. All together, these functions allow me to have a high-level overview of what our office does, who is impacted by our decisions, and how new policies are formulated and executed.”
What initially prompted you to apply to the MSEM program? How has what you learned in year 1 helped shape your career aspirations and what you want to do next?
“After spending more than 5 years in various non-science roles related to the environmental sciences, I decided it was time to gain the necessary foundation that can help me progress into more programmatic and technical roles. It was important to me that the classes were in-person, as I learn better this way – knowledge I gained after taking a handful of courses at San Francisco Community College during the pandemic. It had been over 6 years since I was last in academia!
At USF, it’s been rewarding to take courses like environmental chemistry, then hear some of those concepts be discussed in meetings at work. The biggest thing I am learning is that the coursework is broadening the options I am considering pursuing.”
What are you most looking forward to about year 2 of the MSEM program?
“I am curious whether the paths I’m interested in pursuing continue to expand, or begin to home in on specific topics. I was also fortunate to come across a research question that is tied to work that I have been involved with, so I am looking forward to digging deeper into the question and hopefully finding answers that can be utilized by my office.”
What Master’s Project presentation most stood out to you this Spring and is influencing your thinking about your own academic and professional focus?
“What I appreciated about the Masters’ Projects was their breadth of focus, as well as the range of tools students used to reach their conclusions. The way this influenced me is as a reminder to keep an open mind when considering different approaches and methods.”
What advice do you have for incoming or prospective MSEM students?
“Don’t be afraid to brainstorm research questions early on. Take advantage of the courses to consider how the material can be used to push your research along. Have your real-world experience serve as a basis for these considerations.”
