CivicSpark provided a platform and space for me to explore my options for what I truly wanted to do with my passions and career. The program provided me with a deeper understanding of the inner workings of government, and opened numerous doors for me to further expand my environmental education and work experience. CivicSpark was sincerely a foundational experience for me as a young professional.

CivicSpark helped launch my career in water, pairing with me an excellent site supervisor during my service year. I have been able to turn to him for advice and guidance ever since my service year ended. Working with the Santa Ana Watershed Project Authority on their Disadvantaged Communities Involvement (DCI) Program, allowed me to jump straight into another region’s Disadvantaged Community program with plenty of experience and insights to share. I have had the privilege to work with a fellow CivicSpark alumnus for the last several years on this program and our shared experience has made us a great team!

CivicSpark gave me incredible opportunities to build my professional skills and solidify some of my career goals. The work I accomplished was beyond what I ever imagined I would have the opportunity to do right out of college, and my success with those projects has given me confidence to pursue the next steps in my career.

Serving as a CivicSpark AmeriCorps fellow has shown me that we have the power to make an impact in the communities around us. Helping staff members of water agencies master leak detection in underground pipeline is just one project I’ve been involved in, and just one project will result in a very large amount of water and energy savings.

Knowing that the CivicSpark cohort and the LGC staff are applying themselves wholeheartedly and putting in long hours is constant motivation for me to do my best work as a fellow…Without [CivicSpark], myself and others would have missed out on this opportunity to fight against climate change and help local communities.

CivicSpark has been invaluable to the successful launch of our building energy transparency requirement. Collaboration of the CivicSpark Bay Area team has enriched our program new perspectives and best practices from other cities. It has been a great experience for all involved.

Joining CivicSpark gave me the opportunity to gain tangible skills to address not just the theoretical issues of the Valley, but the actual policy needs of communities. It’s allowed me to understand the language that is needed to make change at the local level.

I have been presented with experiences that have allowed me to grow professionally and personally. Working through the challenges that this position generates has enhanced my professional development and my ability to think critically. I will certainly take what I have learned throughout this service year into the next steps of my environmental career.

The projects [our fellow is working on] are important for the County’s success in designing and implementing climate action strategies. They are also significant components in broader thinking about long-term sustainability. Without our CivicSpark fellow, these significant pieces of work would be several years out for their completion.