Alumni Spotlight: Meet Adam Hall!
is a 2023 MENV graduate from the Urban Resilience and Sustainability specialization. He currently works as a Urban Canopy and Tree Inventory Consultant for Amigos de los Rios. In this article, Adam tells us about his background, current work, art, and shares his advice for current and future students.
What is your academic and professional background?
I got my BA in Geography from University of Denver where I focused in urban studies and learning GIS for spatial analysis. At MENV I was in the Urban Resilience and Sustainability specialization. I focused mostly on green infrastructure/urban forestry projects as well as active transportation. I led two walks in West Denver for Jean Sanson’s Transportation class to highlight inequitable walking and public transportation infrastructure in Denver.
Where do you work and how would you describe your role?
I’m a freelance contract worker right now! My current clients are Amigos de los Rios and the Urban Sustainability Directors Network. For AdlR, I’m helping them make use of their suite of TreePlotter tools by PlanItGeo, and conducting tree canopy analysis to help them prioritize where to focus efforts/resources for tree planting. This includes writing how-to guides for the 5 tools they have for 4 cities they work in and leading workshops with their staff and volunteers to get them started with the tools. Basically trying to enable them to use these powerful mapping and data tracking tools on their own so they can teach communities they work in how to use them too. So far I've worked on documents and analysis for Maywood, CA and the Whittier Narrows Recreation Area. Next is Altadena, CA.
For USDN, I’m doing data analysis and visualization for their research on heating soil beds and using biochar to extend growing seasons. Unfortunately I can’t say much more than that until they publish their results.
I was also consulting for the City of Boulder last year, after graduation, doing urban tree canopy analysis and integrating TreePlotter Canopy into their urban forestry planning process. This included writing how-to guides and leading workshops for city staff and their Cool Boulder partners. I also did a canopy site analysis for two Boulder Housing Partners properties, creating a tree canopy and demographic fact sheet to justify why those sites were selected for engagement that could lead to tree planting.
How did you find your current position? Could you speak about your job search process and how it went?
I got all of these contracts through networking. I knew folks at PlanItGeo through my time using their tools at the City of Boulder, (which I was connected to through my capstone project at MENV), and PlanItGeo connected me to AdlR, who needed help learning and applying the tools in their work. I was doing a lot of networking in NYC, where I live, trying to break into the public sector doing urban forestry work, but there has been a hiring freeze across city agencies so there haven't been any jobs to apply to.
I definitely still feel like I'm in the job search process, but sending in applications for other positions in the NY area has been slow and unrewarding. Most of the positions I find are ones I'm not as passionate about as the contract work I'm doing currently. I plan on picking up the networking again soon as my contracts wind down at the end of the summer, but I'm always paying attention to organizations and local agencies to see if they are hiring.
Were there any hard or soft skills you felt you lacked or wished you were stronger in when you started your career after graduate school? (i.e. negotiation skills, a certain certification, leadership skills, etc.)?
I wish I had practiced more networking while I was still a student. I’ve gotten a lot of practice since, but it took a long time until I felt comfortable and confident reaching out and meeting with people. I still don't like networking, so I get the resistance, but you just have to dive in head first.
What is something people may not know about you?
Well a lot of people know I'm an artist and I love to draw trees in urban settings. I share a lot of work on and and I sell prints, stickers, and originals at different parks around the city and I got a table at a on May 31 in Western Queens. Less people know that I'm really into abstract art as well, as I haven't shared too many of those works. I really like mixed media, using acrylics, oil pastels, water colors, ink, spray paint, and collage. I find pieces of wood from construction sites or dumpsters and just paint or draw without any agenda. It's a nice break from the fineline work I usually do.
What advice would you give to current and/or future MENV students?
Take advantage of being on a campus with all the resources you have available there. From professors and faculty to facilities and classmates, it’s just such a unique time and opportunity. Follow up with guest speakers, you really never know where a connection may lead. And use every project as an excuse to reach out to someone doing similar projects in the field or 'real world'. Most people want to talk about their work.