From a Class to a Calling

For the greater part of my life, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do in the future. While many of my friends had dreams of becoming doctors, teachers, or astronauts as early as middle school, I never felt drawn to one specific occupation. Entering high school, I considered becoming something in the business world to follow my father’s footsteps, or a journalist in order to learn more about the world around me. But looking back now, neither truly felt like me. 

My journey to environmental sustainability began unexpectedly during my sophomore year when my chemistry teacher recommended APES (Advanced Placement Environmental Science) to take my junior year. I was overwhelmed and intimidated by the idea and thought that it was going to be too much for me. But I decided to challenge myself and take it anyway. 

Before this class, and even up until the beginning of this year, majoring in environmental studies in college had never crossed my mind. My previous interests leaned more into the realm of sports or business management. Environmental majors did not seem as mainstream as, say, business or nursing. As I got closer to the middle of my junior year, I realized that I needed to think about my future and what I might want to pursue going forward. This realization made me think further about my interests and while many of my friends knew what they wanted to do, I felt as though I was behind. I had baseline interests, but none truly lit a spark.

As time went on and APES units passed, I felt increasingly interested in the studies of how to better our planet. APES covered many topics ranging from population demographics to wind patterns, but it wasn’t until Unit Five when we learned about sustainability that I charted insight into my future plans. Seeing how deeply human actions have damaged our planet- and how scientists, activists, and policy leaders are working to reverse that harm - established something in me: I wanted to be a part of the solution. 

While I was fortunate to have acquired a passion for a specific idea, it didn’t cross my mind that this was something that I could actually make a career out of until I started to look at internships through my school’s College & Career Center. While scrolling through the Newburyport High School internship page, I was surprised by how many local organizations were involved in environmental work. It made me realize that if there are many opportunities right here in my community, there must be thousands of others across the country and globally. 

That's when I discovered ACES: Alliance of Climate and Environmental Stewards. I researched the initiatives of the nonprofit, learned about their goals and mission, and was inspired by the work they were doing in local communities. I reached out and then scheduled a meeting with Art Currier, the president of ACES. That conversation gave me more clarity on not only what environmental sustainability is, but also of the realization that I can pursue a career that would allow me to be part of the solution.

This journey from uncertainty to inspiration to action has shaped how I see my future. I now know I want to study environmental sustainability or urban planning in college after I graduate in the spring. Taking AP Environmental Science not only changed the way I understand the world, but also revealed the path I want to take to help improve it.

Alexander Yavarow attends Newburyport High School and was inspired to share this perspective that she subtitled : “How I Found a Passion for Environmental Sustainability.

ACES believes we can make a BIG difference together. Team members invite you to stay updated on environmental matters by subscribing to our monthly newsletter via the “Join Our List” link on this page. Please consider joining our community of stewards who are committed to Make Every Day Earth Day by contacting acesnewburyport@gmail.com.

This educational column first appeared in The Daily News of Newburyport on July 25, 2025.