Elena Bragg’s decision to major in environmental science was an easy one.
“I am passionate about resolving issues related to improving the quality of life for present and future generations," she said. "This path gives me the opportunity to protect the ecosystems around us and I can help make the world a better place for all species.”
Elena got her first taste of life as an environmental scientist during her senior year when she was a student intern with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) in the Underground Storage Tank Division.
That internship turned into a full-time job as an environmental scientist with the LDEQ after graduation. Elena believes her experience in the environmental science major in the UL Lafayette School of Geosciences is what got her there.
“The education I received from UL Lafayette gave me the confidence needed to seek out an internship in my field of study,” she said.
“The courses provided by the School of Geosciences have allowed me to gain technical skills in air, soil, and water quality testing and monitoring. Laboratory activities and course field trips have enhanced my abilities to collect and record data for analysis and report on these findings.”
Elena’s favorite classes covered these topics, giving her the broad skill set she needed for her career. Her concentration in environmental quality and minor in geology let her take the courses that really interested her.
Her sophomore year, she took Field Techniques (ENVS 310), which helped her become more familiar with sampling equipment and techniques for collecting samples from soil, water, and air.
“This is a great class for a future environmental scientist, and I appreciated being outdoors or on course field trips while learning how to properly collect and record data,” she said.
Her senior year, her favorite course was Site Assessment and Remediation (GEOL 460), which opened her eyes to a line of work that she’s exploring in her job now.
“The course touches on the assessment of contaminated sites, how they are cleaned up with various remediation techniques, and the methods and regulations that are specific to the state of Louisiana,” she said.
Both during and outside of her classes, Elena loved working with the faculty and staff in the School of Geosciences.
“The professors and Mrs. Nadean (Bienvenu, administrative assistant in the School of Geosciences) genuinely care about your success within the program and in your future endeavors, whether it is graduate school or the workforce,” she said. “They get to know each student on a more personal level and I believe that makes being in the School of Geosciences a more valuable experience.
“During my time at UL Lafayette, I was able to establish many relationships, both professional and friendly, that I will cherish forever.”
