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Megan Almaguer joins the Water Institute team ,

The road that led me to the Water Institute was not a straight one, but it was the winding journey that allowed me to see so clearly that this is where I was meant to end up all along.

I graduated from the University of Florida in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management with the hopes of entering the travel industry. After spending about a year in the industry, I realized that selling vacations was not what I was passionate about. I did not look forward to going to work in the morning because I did not feel that I was making a difference in the world. So, I set out on a journey of self-discovery to find my passion. I made many stops along the way, from computer science to coffee, but nothing I tried my hand at seemed to fulfill that drive to make a difference.

It wasn’t until I began changing my diet and consumer buying habits to be more cruelty-free and sustainable that I realized that my business degree and personal passion for sustainability could work in harmony to create a career that I am passionate about. I quickly began looking for ways to gain more knowledge and qualifications for sustainably-minded business positions, and I learned about “Green MBA” programs, which are MBA programs with a focus on sustainability. I immediately applied, and I was accepted into my top program choice, which will begin in September 2017.

I had resigned myself to two years of studying and working in an unrelated job before I would be able to secure a position in the field, but I stumbled upon the Water Institute’s job posting for their new Program Assistant position and decided to apply. It was exactly what I was looking for: an organization that was focused on conservation and sustainability and a position that focused on business. I was absolutely thrilled when I heard that I was accepted for the position, and I am very excited to begin my work with the UF Water Institute!

I hope to bring an enthusiastic new set of eyes to an already wonderful organization, and I hope to contribute great administrative, fiscal, and programmatic work to the team. It is my goal to offer the best and most efficient support that I can, and I am very excited to get started!