First Lesson: If there is a want, there is a way!
When I started my first semester here at St. Edward’s I had no idea what SXSW was, let alone that they had an “eco” conference. I did some research and found out that SXSW Eco is an amazing opportunity to learn from and interact with some of the great minds leading the environmental revolution. I had to go! I was looking for ways I could attend the conference without having to pay, since I am after all on a student budget. Some of the ways I found were: to write an essay, ask for funding, or win a contest. The conference itself offered students the ability to write an essay about why would it be important to attend the conference and relate the different themes to their lives. Another opportunity to attend was to secure funding through a department on campus or one of our advisors. But the option I chose was to win a contest, why not? I think it sounds pretty nice when you tell people you won something in a contest. The particular contest I chose was the National Wildlife Federation EcoLeader Badge contest. This particular contest had a few requirements: 1. Sign up for the website 2. Create a hash tag of SXSWECO2014 on your About Me section 3. Mention your school in the forum and 4. Get people to sign up using the same hash tag. While this all sounds great getting people to actually sit down and sign up was not easy. I posted on Facebook, told classmates, and tried to spread the word on campus. Eventually, my fellow students came through, and guess what? We won not the original 5 badges we were promised, but instead won 10 badges! I call that a win for St. Ed’s.
Second Lesson: Networking is important.
Now let’s talk about the conference: the people were incredibly friendly, everyone seemed really excited to be there, and most importantly, I have never been as star-struck in my life! I got to interact and meet some of the most influential and well-known names in conservation and the environmental field. I met people from the likes of Geoff Daniels the VP and General Manager of Nat Geo Wild, the all amazing and energetic Dr. Sylvia Earle, marine biologist, and National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence, and Boone Smith wildlife capturer and big cat conservationist. I was honored to take pictures with each one of these amazing personalities!
The SXSW Eco conference held both informative panels that allowed listeners to interact with the field experts and ask questions, as well as social activities that allowed attendees to network with one another. As a student, it was an amazing opportunity being able to network and hear about all the projects and endeavors that are being carried out in different parts of the world. As an Environmental Management and Sustainability student, I have to intern in my second year of the program and this was the perfect opportunity to meet some experts and get some great connections for future internships.
Third Lesson: Act Now!
I would have to say that my favorite speaker was Dr. Sylvia Earle. She was the keynote speaker on the second day and had a seat at many other panels. She was empowering, energetic, and insightful. Her life is truly an inspiration to us all! My biggest take away message from her presentation was that regardless of your interest in the environment, or conservation it is our duty as humans to protect the world that we have before it is too late. I believe that many other panels spoke about this theme as well. From aquaponics to climate change to deforestation to clean energy, all the topics spoke to me in the same way: we have to stop and think about what we are doing to our planet, change our habits, and protect what little resources we have left. As humans, we are destroying everything around us, and forgetting that we need all of these resources for our survival. One day we will realize that we cannot eat money, that we cannot drink oil, and that we cannot breathe smoke. But we have the power to change all of that now! Overall, the conference provided a great opportunity for my self and my fellow classmates to listen and interact with field experts. I really hope that many more students can attend next year!
-Pamela Millan
Environmental Management and Sustainability Master Student