Abby Roller, a first-year Master of Environmental Management (MEM) and Master of City and Regional Planning (MCRP) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill concurrent degree student, recently shared insights into why she's pursuing concurrent degrees, advice for students considering the concurrent degree path and her favorite memory so far.

Why did you choose to pursue a concurrent degree with the MEM?

My environmental interests have always been rooted in the ways that human communities influence and are influenced by their surrounding environment. Through past internships and professional experiences, I've focused my future career aspirations on climate resilience planning in a local or state government setting. This concurrent degree allows me to strengthen my environmental policy, economics and analytics background while gaining new exposure to the field of urban planning.

Attending two of the top schools in each respective field also gives me access to so many interesting classes and colleagues that will help me learn about the range of climate solutions and planning methods that allow people to live more sustainably in their communities.

What advice would you give to students considering a concurrent degree path or currently in the program?

I'd encourage MEM students to consider the concurrent degree options available to them and how they might align with their career interests. There are benefits to a broad degree like environmental management, but combining this with a concurrent degree program may open additional doors to employment in more specific sectors like municipal government. 

What is your favorite memory from your time in the program?

One of my favorite things about this program is being surrounded by so many like-minded people with broad, but intersecting, environmental interests. Attending community events like Nicholas School field day and basketball games are a fun way to connect with classmates in a non-academic setting!