Hey all! So excited to see you here. My name is Sydney and I'm a '24 passionate about energy, education, the environment, and economic policy. I grew up in Southern California, but have also lived abroad in Gibraltar, Spain, and the Philippines. When not blogging or working at McNutt as a Senior Admissions Fellow, you can catch me involved in the Dartmouth Energy Alliance, Energy Justice Clinic, and Greek Life. I hope my blog can give you a window into Dartmouth from a student's perspective.
Academic Program
Majors in Economics and Environmental Studies, Minor in International Studies
Taught by Professor Tine, this class focused on many interdisciplinary topics within the field of education. I loved learning about the significance of early pre-K interventions on long-term behaviors, the layered complexities of the American public school system, the neuroscience behind how the brain processes new information, and much more!
As someone interested in international studies, this course opened my eyes to the complex world of global health – both the biological and social sides of achieving equity. I found this class especially applicable given the COVID-19 pandemic and often transfer knowledge from Global Health & Society into my everyday life.
Searching for Justice is a perfect blend of studying literature and law. Highlights from this course include an op-ed I produced on anti-Asian hate crimes and a fictional short story adaptation based on Japanese internment camps from Korematsu v. United States. This first-year seminar exposed me to many different court cases, and I’m now strongly considering a future career in law!
SummerClaremont, California
I spent my summer back home in Southern California, working at my high school alma mater as a Summer Fellow for their Junior Scholars program. I had a wonderful time designing curriculum for the Journalism program, planning activities for middle schoolers, and providing support in the dorms. I also spent quality time with my cousins and bonded with family by the beach.
I am an aquaphile, a lover of all things related to the water. This environmental studies course on Marine Policy was perfect for me because it dove into how humans have impacted the oceans. From coastal development to deep sea mining, we explored how to think like a policymaker and consider the many different stakeholders involved in global marine issues.
Wow, the Practice of Science Policy and Diplomacy was a blast! I was eager to get to class early every day for this Public Policy seminar. Professor Burkins introduced me to writing effective policy memos, participating in a Model Arctic Council simulation, and presenting our SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy recommendations with a state coalition.
Energy Justice examined issues of culture, power, and inequity in the necessary shift away from fossil fuels. Taught as a Social Impact Practicum, this class deepened my interest in pursuing a career in energy and environmental law. During junior year, I’m excited to continue working with Professor Kelly as a Presidential Scholar researching justice and accountability in corporate energy systems.
During my Sophomore Summer, I really enjoyed studying food systems and accessing Dartmouth’s Organic Farm as our lab for Professor Ong’s Agroecology course. It was an incredible New England summer experience learning to visualize data in R, conducting fieldwork outdoors, and working as a team on scientific research projects. A term highlight was tasting freshly tapped maple syrup from Dartmouth’s very own Sugar Crew!
I was one of six Dartmouth Economics exchange students at University College London this term. All four of my modules—UCL’s equivalent of classes—gave me a new perspective on Economics and Geography through a British lens. Economic History was my favorite as we studied industrialization, the demographic transition, and the East Asian economic miracle after World War II. I grew a deep appreciation for how the events of our past can offer important lessons for us today and into the future.
WinterNew York, New York
Since Dartmouth students typically spend their Sophomore Summer on campus, the D-Plan allows us to take a different term off to develop personally and professionally. I spent my off-term working as a corporate legal assistant intern at a law firm in New York City. It was such a thrill to live and work in the Big Apple! With many fellow Dartmouth '24s also in the NYC area, my days out of the office were full of yummy food, catching up with old friends, and exploring iconic city sights.
Drawing upon disciplines like law, psychology, and popular culture, Writing and Speaking Public Policy was all about becoming more persuasive communicators. Professor Kalish provided us with such thoughtful, detailed feedback on our assignments and arranged for class field trips to the Jones Media Center and Hood Museum of Art. I especially enjoyed the flexibility offered for our small group media campaign project, where I created a children’s book on the benefits of bringing universal pre-K to New Hampshire.
SummerMystic, Connecticut
During my junior summer, I interned as a Yale Conservation Scholar at Mystic Aquarium. Working in the Education & Conservation department, I mentored high school interns about marine science communication and public engagement. Besides attending weekly professional development workshops with the Yale School of the Environment, I also helped out with summer camps, traveling classroom programs, and citizen science projects.
I traveled to Southern Africa for the first time with Dartmouth’s Environmental Studies FSP. From conducting research on invertebrate diversity in the Namib Desert to speaking with community members at Uibasen-Twyfelfontein Conservancy, we studied Namibia's socio-ecological systems. Highlights from this incredible trip include experiencing game drives at Etosha National Park, discussing ecotourism at the Cheetah Conservation Fund, and learning about Namibia’s integrated coastal zone management approach with government officials from the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.
Econometrics was a pleasant surprise! While I came into this statistics-heavy course without a Stata coding background, Professor Fetter’s amazing explanations helped me feel confident about the new material. I learned so much about the assumptions required for causality and now feel equipped with the analytical tools to evaluate Economic research papers in an entirely different light.
At the beginning of my senior year of high school, I first learned about People Places Pines at a Dartmouth admissions event. Scrolling through the website for the first time, I was hooked. Students' posts transported me into the many different paths I could pursue at my potential home for the next four years. I envisioned myself sitting out doing homework on the Green, paddling down the Connecticut River, and exploring different departments through the College's liberal arts curriculum. People Places Pines was ultimately a huge reason why I chose to apply Early Decision to Dartmouth. So when the opportunity rolled around to apply for the admissions blogger position in the Class of 2024 Facebook group, I was eager to apply. Shortly after completing a Google Forms written application and a 20-minute interview, I received an email notifying me that I had received the job. I could not have been more thrilled!
The blogging commitment is three to four hours of work per week, with 400 to 500-word posts due every Sunday night of the term. Drafting each post feels like a reflective period where I can ponder my week and write about an aspect of my college journey, from living with a roommateto a day in my life during midterms season. As someone passionate about making higher education accessible to all, I love writing for the blog because it offers a glimpse into life at Dartmouth, regardless of where you are in the world.
During my freshman summer, a position opened for the admissions communications intern (ACI) role, so I submitted my resume and cover letter to my supervisor. After being fortunate enough to land the position, my work hours increased to around eight to twelve per week as I picked up more responsibilities in addition to writing blog posts: editing and scheduling posts for the undergraduate blogging cohort, writing student-faculty profiles and long-form pieces for 3D Magazine, sharing my experiences at the College as a student panelist, and helping to recruit the incoming class of bloggers. I have also gotten to know the amazing people who work in the Office of Admissions by assisting with Dimensions After Dark tours for admitted students and creating Instagram content like reels for the office's social media channels.
This upcoming school year, I am working as a senior fellow for the Office of Admissions. I am excited to take on this greater leadership opportunity around the office as a project manager for various admissions events, open houses, and conferences. I will lead virtual information sessions and student chats for prospective students and may have the chance to serve as a student member of the undergraduate admissions committee to review first-year applications to the College.
Not only is working for Dartmouth Admissions a meaningful part-time job where I can earn some extra income, but it also develops transferable skills in graphic design, public speaking, writing, and communication that I can apply to any academic or work environment. My favorite part of the job is that it allows me to make a positive impact on prospective students around the world looking to get a deeper insight into life as a Dartmouth student. I am grateful to have had my first job as an admissions blogger and for the pivotal learning experiences I have had thus far during my college career!
The Class of 2024's class photo! Graphic courtesy of Dartmouth / Eli Burakian '00
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