When you are in high school, it can feel like everyone else has their future figured out. The truth? Most students explore, change direction, and discover new passions along the way.
Just ask Alejandra, Lindsey, and Alex, three University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point alumni who now work for Dane County Waste and Renewables. Their stories show that you don’t need a perfect plan. What matters is being curious, saying yes to opportunities, and finding a career that makes an impact.
Alejandra: Turning Curiosity into Community Impact
Alejandra always cared about the environment but wasn’t sure how to make it her career. She started college studying biology and chemistry, but a report predicting clean drinking water could become one of the scarcest resources by 2050 changed everything.
“That really stuck with me,” she said. “The more I learned about water management—treatment, protection, and the way it impacts communities, the more I knew this was the field for me.”
At UW-Stevens Point, she found the best of both worlds: a strong biology program and one of the nation’s top natural resources programs. After graduation, she managed wastewater projects for a beverage company but longed for something with more environmental impact.
When a position opened at Dane County Waste and Renewables, she took the leap.
Now a solid waste engineer, Alejandra manages landfill operations and projects like the county’s new Sustainability Campus. She also gets to connect with community members through outreach.
“My friends are probably tired of me talking about trash,” she said. “But it affects everyone, every day. I love knowing the work I do helps people rethink their own choices and creates a broader impact.”
Lindsey: From the Field to the Biogas Plant
Lindsey’s path began at UW-Madison, where an environmental science course made her realize just how much human choices shape the planet. Wanting more hands-on experience, she joined WisCorps, spending a semester restoring Wisconsin parks.
“Being outside, directly stewarding our natural resources, it was so powerful,” she said. “That’s when I knew I needed a degree with real-world applications.”
She transferred to UW-Stevens Point, joined the Waste Management Society and attended conferences that led to her first internship. Alongside her service in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, those experiences gave her technical skills and resilience.
Today she’s a biogas specialist at Dane County Waste and Renewables. She helps operate a renewable natural gas facility that turns landfill gas into vehicle fuel. Her job ranges from analyzing data to managing contracts and tracking millions of dollars in equipment.
“Waste management may not sound glamorous, but it’s never going away,” Lindsey said. “It’s essential work, and it’s incredibly fulfilling. Everything we do contributes to a healthier, more sustainable future.”
Alex: Bringing Numbers to Life in Sustainability
For Alex, waste management stood out because of its universal relevance.
“It’s something everyone is involved with, but not many people want to work in,” he said. “That challenge, and the potential to make an impact, sparked my interest.”
Through UW-Stevens Point, Alex gained hands-on experience in clubs, fieldwork and internships. After finishing graduate school, he joined Dane County Waste and Renewables as a carbon offset manager.
He now tracks the department’s carbon footprint and supports projects like adding carbon separation equipment to the gas plant. The goal: turning carbon dioxide into a usable product instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
“No two days look the same,” he said. “Some days I’m out at the landfill, other days I’m working through contracts or reviewing data. What excites me most is that the work we do today creates solutions for tomorrow.”
Finding Your Own Path
Alejandra, Lindsey, and Alex all took different routes, but they agree on one thing: UW-Stevens Point gave them the tools to succeed by combining strong academics with real-world experience.
Whether through internships, student organizations, or fieldwork, they left campus with the skills and confidence to pursue careers that matter.
Their advice to high school students? Stay curious, get involved, and don’t worry if your path takes a few turns.
“The important part,” Alejandra said, “is finding work that excites you and contributes to something bigger.”
And one last tip, they agreed: visit a landfill.
“It changes the way you see waste,” Lindsey said. “And it changes the way you see the impact you can make.”