Green Profile- Andrew Cronholm, The Cadmus Group

Our first green profile in Andrew Cronholm of the Cadmus Group.

Andrew is a 2008 graduate of Drew University and currently a research associate with the Cadmus Group. Since it's founding in 1983 "Cadmus has grown to become a leading support contractor for EPA, not only in the area of drinking water but also in voluntary programs, indoor air and radiation, and energy efficiency. Cadmus has also grown the sides of our business devoted to private sector and non-profit clients. And branched into international development."

I recently sat down with Andrew to get his take on the issues of climate change and sustainability as well as the opportunity for college students to engage these policy areas:

Ryan: What first inspired you to get involved with environmental issues, and specifically your work with Cadmus?

Andrew: My father was a very outdoorsy guy...he grew up hiking sailing and doing pretty much everything outside. He wanted his children to experience nature and I decided that I wanted to make a career of it. With regards to Cadmus...you know this story...but I interned with DOJ's Environment and Natural Resources Division in DC my junior year and I feel in love with environmental policy, so I started applying to jobs in the environmental sector my senior year. the rest is history.

Ryan: What role do you see college students playing in the fight to stop global climate change and promote sustainability?

Andrew: Active college students, are of course, the next generation of leaders in the country. Their children will see the results of our action or inaction when it comes to climate change. Students need to put political pressure on the administration to make coherent, federal frameworks around policy. Students also need to engage the private sector businesses to they can prepare for a new regulatory matrix, and so they can realize that sustainability is appealing.

Ryan: What is one measure college students can take to make climate change a major focus on their respective campuses?

Andrew: Make climate change studies exciting and prevalent to everyday life.

Ryan: What advice would you give to soon to be graduates interested in making an impact in the working world?

Andrew: I'd tell them to store their "idealistic ambitions" away for the first few years, since their first job will likely be rooted in the pragmatic realities of government policy. Gain business experience, build professional networks and get the training you need so that you can land the job of your dreams and then dust off that idealism and put it to work!

-Ryan