Science educators offered their perspectives to prospective and current students at the School of Education's Science Learning and Public Engagement major's recent career panel.
Professionals from a variety of scientific and educational organizations shared their insights and experiences at the Spring 2026 Science Learning and Public Engagement (SLPE) Career Panel, coordinated by the Science Education and Public Engagement major in the School of Education at The City College of New York.
The event brought together five panelists, each of whom gave a unique perspective on career opportunities for those interested in science education that includes, but can go beyond, teaching. They were introduced by two current students, Hudy Weiss and Kevin Dillon, who is also pursuing an accelerated master’s degree in Middle School Science Education, which is an available option for SLPE majors. The pair also screened a public service announcement that they created to promote the program.
The panelists were: Giselle Herrera, lead manager of Internships and Workforce Development at The Natural Areas Conservancy; Jake Weinberger, CCNY’s sustainability coordinator; Maya Dutta, a New York City Parks and Recreation Department project planner; Arden Feil, manager of the New York City Science Research Mentoring Consortium at the American Museum of Natural History; Noha Haggag, senior clean power attorney at the Environmental Defense Fund; and Nicole McClain, director of stewardship at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
Each gave an overview of her or his career path before dispensing advice to the potential science educators in the room. That advice often derived from personal experiences.
Herrera was “surrounded by biodiversity” growing up in South Florida, she told the 60 attendees. “The idea of urban ecology really opened my eyes.”
As an undergraduate at Washington University in St. Louis, Dutta found herself interested in the relationship between ecology, anthropology and urban planning. “I wanted to learn more,” she said.
“Now is a good time to try new things,” she told the attendees. “I encourage you to try, to see what is possible.” She added that she was fortunate to have a good mentor in all phases of her life.
Feil called her career trajectory a “circle” as she advised the attendees that “your career will not be linear and that’s okay.” She stressed the importance of mentoring and networking.
“Stay in touch with people,” she said. “These conversations come back, even if it is years later.” An enthusiastic mentor and educator herself, she said that “I want to know what is going on in my [former students’] lives. I love that!”
That sentiment was echoed by Haggag, who urged the students to build their professional networks by maintaining relationships with professors in the field, “even though you didn’t take classes with [them].”
Weinberger, whose job entails designing, implementing, and managing sustainability initiatives across the CCNY campus, told the attendees that “there are two different jobs you will have; the one with a salary…to make a living, and the one that you are passionate about.”
McClain exhorted attendees to stay local for career opportunities. “New York City has a lot to offer,” she said. “You do not have to travel.”
“It was amazing to see the huge turnout and to help students learn more about the Science Learning and Public Engagement major,” said its program director, Adjunct Lecturer Stephanie Rose. “It was awesome to see the students’ enthusiasm for talking with the panelists – the very people at the organizations who can hire them for internships. It was networking paradise and I love helping people make these connections for doing work that supports the health of the Earth.”
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers, and society. At City College, more than 16,500 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity, and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together,” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College's mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic, and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Syd Steinhardt
212-650-7875
ssteinhardt@ccny.cuny.edu