Five Questions with Alice
Alice Lesch, sustainable systems management major
What is sustainable systems management (SSM)?
SSM combines science, business, and economics to build a strong systems-thinking approach to environmental issues. This is really important because corporations and governments that are in charge of environmental policy and practices need analyses that prove a project is low-cost and high-benefit; backed by scientific evidence.
What inspired you to choose SSM? Were your plans originally different?
I was originally undecided and happened to take a sustainability minor course when I realized this was a topic I wanted to study as my major. I grew up with the value of leaving places better than you found them, and SSM is my way of giving back to ensure future generations can have the same quality of life as we have.
How are you involved on campus?
- Vice President, BBE Ambassador Program — a group of students interested in engaging with prospective students, current students, and alumni to develop relationships and opportunities for studying and pursuing sustainability as a career.
- NorthStar Building Science Club — composed of students interested in sustainable and innovative approaches to the built environment. This multidisciplinary club seeks to explore net-zero design, make connections within the industry, and participate in community service. The club pursues projects such as the Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon Design Challenge, organizes tours of facilities dedicated to sustainability, and hosts and attends networking events.
With clubs, it’s been difficult to choose between so many great opportunities, so I’ve found the most challenges with managing my time while trying to stay involved. In my SSM education, I’ve found that one reoccurring challenge is figuring out the root cause and best solution for environmental issues. Systems thinking is one of the foundation courses of the major which covers tools to help find the best solutions.
Where do you hope to take your future career?
After graduation, I would like to get involved with an environmental consulting firm or government agency, such as the MPCA or a watershed district. Since I don’t know which aspect of sustainability I’m most interested in, consulting could expose me to pollution, energy use, agriculture, water, and more. Depending on which direction I go in, I’d be interested in working for a company to help create and implement sustainable practices.
What advice would you give younger or prospective students who are trying to find a major?
Check out the courses and see if you like what you see! When I was considering transferring to SSM, the selling point was reading all of the course names and getting really excited about the topics.