Ten years ago, I realized my life mission was to help society build a livable future. I decided working on the problem of climate change was the most meaningful thing I could do. So I set three themes in my life: live sustainably, build a climate-focused career, and inspire others to join the movement.
This emerged from a period of reflection about my life’s purpose and my upbringing in a low-income Indian household. I grew up using fewer things, reusing things, reducing waste, etc. Frugality led to a sustainable lifestyle. I also always wanted to help people and society, and my environmental concern evolved into a deep dive into climate science and solutions.
The more I learned, the more I realized that this wasn’t just another global challenge, but THE defining challenge of our time. This problem touches every aspect of human civilization – our energy systems, food production, transportation, and economic models. It became clear that this wasn’t just an environmental issue, but a fundamental challenge that would define the future of human society.
Landing a job in climate tech
I failed hundreds of times to change my career to work in the climate tech industry.
Towards the end of my graduate school a decade ago, one opportunity was derailed by immigration challenges as a non-immigrant on a student visa. I kept working to build my expertise in areas like data analytics and machine learning, which ultimately led me to Product roles across several startups in different industries. Throughout this time, I kept searching for a climate-focused role. I lost an opportunity with a renewable energy company due to Covid. I had a few more close encounters that I couldn’t convert.
At one point, I even contemplated going for a second Master’s degree in Environmental Sciences, but my family was growing.
In late 2022, I enrolled in Terra.do’s Learning for Action course, graduating in March 2023. Two months later I finally got the breakthrough when I joined a climate tech company as a lead product manager to develop data-driven enterprise products for carbon emission measurement.
How Terra.do helped
Terra.do’s Learning for Action course served as a crucial stepping stone in my journey into the climate space. It stands out for its comprehensive, systems-level approach to climate education. Unlike surface-level climate courses, it dives deep into the interconnections between different aspects of the crisis while maintaining accessibility for professionals from various backgrounds. The curriculum strikes a perfect balance between technical depth and practical application.
What truly sets Terra.do apart is its emphasis on building a community of climate professionals.
For me, the connections formed during the course extended far beyond the classroom, creating a powerful network of like-minded individuals committed to climate action. The practical focus on career transitions and real-world impact makes the learning immediately applicable.
I leaned on several people during my job search. The quality of instruction and fellow participants elevated the experience beyond typical online learning. Having access to industry experts and peers from diverse backgrounds created a rich learning environment that continues to provide value even now.
I have only good things to say about Terra.do.
Learning for Action details from Terra.do
- The Learning for Action course is designed for people ready to learn and do more about climate change in their careers and communities. (For Prakhar, it’s both! In addition to the work in climate tech he discusses above, he now serves on the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee in Bothell, Washington.)
- The course is 12 weeks long, all online, and blends live discussions with instructors and peers along with asynchronous reading, videos, and assignments. The time commitment is roughly one hour a day.
- It unpacks the science of greenhouse gases, climate change, and impacts—then explores solution areas, which include not just clean energy but new approaches in everything from finance and agriculture, as well as key areas like communications.
- Scholarships are available, and new cohorts launch regularly, so apply now. Full refunds are available if you decide the course isn’t the right fit for you within the first three weeks.