NC State’s Net Impact achieves gold, sets its sights on 2015
The problems that face the next generation of world leaders are daunting: How will we feed an estimated nine billion people and provide them sufficient access to clean water? How will we respond to the threat of environmental changes and shortages of natural resources?
As more companies and world leaders focus their attention on meeting these challenges, NC State’s Net Impact chapters are working to bring the message of sustainability to the business and political leaders of the future. Net Impact is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing together students and professionals in order to find solutions to tough social and environmental challenges.
NC State students’ commitment to taking on those challenges has gained national notice. Both the undergraduate and graduate NC State Net Impact chapters have been honored with Gold Chapter status for excellence in programming and commitment to the organization’s ideals.
Also, as the new academic year begins, a $4,000 grant from the John Deere Foundation will help the undergraduate chapter reach even more NC State students with engaging programming and speakers whose real-world expertise will shape the next generation of leaders.
Gold Chapter status: An important milestone
Worldwide, over 300 Net Impact chapters provide education and empowerment to some 60,000 students and professionals. Through their network and resources, Net Impact chapters provide both the network and the resources to inspire emerging leaders and help them achieve “impact careers” – jobs that will allow them to bring a focus on sustainability to their day-to-day work.
“I am very glad that our Net Impact chapter received gold status because it means we had a successful year and are on the right track for next year,” said Ryan Kilgore. A senior in chemical engineering at NC State’s College of Engineering, Kilgore said Net Impact programming led him to his current career path – which he hopes will include an internship in the biofuels sector next summer.
That interest is the result of his Net Impact experience, Kilgore said. “I know I want to work at the intersection of sustainability and energy, which could take me in any number of directions.”
“Our Net Impact chapter organized more events this year than any previous year,” said Mike Maher, vice president of events for the graduate Net Impact chapter and a Poole College Sustainability Initiative Associate. “Our Lunch and Learn events were our most popular and provided a great way for students to interact with corporate speakers on a variety of business sustainability issues.”
Networking events with other Triangle Net Impact chapters and a continuing collaboration with other groups on campus to support events focused on business sustainability also helped our chapters at NC State achieve this honor, Maher said.
Net Impact chapters that achieve gold chapter status go above and beyond the basic requirements, providing “innovative events and programs, collaborating within and outside the network, and participating in Net Impact central programming, publications, and competitions.”
Only 30 percent of Net Impact chapters worldwide achieved gold standing this year.
“Of our network of 300-plus chapters worldwide, Net Impact’s gold chapters represent the brightest, most committed impact leaders who are making a difference on their campuses and in their communities,” Net Impact CEO Liz Maw said in a press release officially announcing the honor. “These chapters are inspiring and equipping young people to use their careers to lead our world to a more sustainable and equitable future.”
NC State’s graduate Net Impact chapter was chartered in 2007. An undergraduate chapter was added in 2014.
In addition to offering networking opportunities, Net Impact at NC State has taken the lead in creating innovative and engaging programming. Last year, chapter members worked in partnership with More Than Money Careers to host a series of workshops for students, alumni and staff focusing on corporate social responsibility and sustainable careers. Net Impact also brings speakers from business and industry to share their real-world perspective. Last year, Net Impact at NC State welcomed Mark Schmidt, sustainability projects coordinator for John Deere, and Shawn Heath, vice president and chief sustainability officer at Duke Energy, among others.
John Deere grant will boost Net Impact’s reach
Thanks to a recent $4,000 grant from the John Deere Foundation, NC State University’s undergraduate Net Impact chapter will be able to bring new and innovative programming to campus for the 2015-2016 academic year.
In 2014, John Deere and the John Deere Foundation donated some $32 million to philanthropy and volunteerism initiatives. In addition to financial support, John Deere staff have shared their expertise at NC State.
“The ongoing support from John Deere in the form of funding and engagement will enhance Net Impact’s ability to educate and prepare NC State students to drive business innovation that’s good for people, good for the planet and good for the bottom line,” said Jessica Thomas, advisor to the NC State Net Impact chapters and director of the Poole College Sustainability Initiative.
Donations during the 2014-15 academic year from John Deere and other partners helped NC State students attend the 2014 Net Impact National Conference, made possible a screening of the documentary "Who Cares?" and supported the "More than Money" impact career workshops.
“Net Impact’s mission is to engage students and professional leaders to create positive social and environmental change in the workplace and in the world,” said Clay Giese, 2015 graduate of the Jenkins MBA program and former graduate Net Impact finance officer. “We teach students that anyone can be a change-maker, no matter the job position.”
Ryan Kilgore said Net Impact has broadened his horizons as he looks beyond college to the career world. “I know I want to work at the intersection of sustainability and energy which could take me in any number of directions like consulting, business development, engineering, or maybe even trying my hand at a startup,” Kilgore said.
“I think it is important to let students know that they can pursue an impact career and, through their everyday job, actively drive transformational change in the workplace,” Kilgore said.
“Preparing our student to understand the challenges and address the opportunities in business sustainability will make them more competitive in the job market and more impactful in their careers. I know this well-deserved recognition for both chapters will spur the new leadership teams to grow the impact of Net Impact’s work on campus,” Thomas said.
Learn More
> About Net Impact National
> About the NC State Net Impact chapters
> Become a member of Net Impact for free by clicking this link.
Basic membership in Net Impact is free and allows access to the impact jobs and internships board, an extensive chapter network, resume-building programs and more. Select the NC State graduate or undergrad chapter to keep up to date on chapter-specific events and resources.
For a small annual fee or a one-time lifetime membership fee, premium members receive conference discounts and access to additional content, including webinars with industry experts. The premium membership fee is tax-deductible.
Photo, left to right
Mike Maher, Amelia Fujikawa, Kayla Erney, Ryan Kilgore, Clay Giese, Marlen Traber, Padmaja Soundararajan.
