Liston Jackson

LinkedIn Profile

Advice

What one piece of advice would you like to give to students who are about to graduate?
Keep an open mind about your first opportunity. It may not exactly match your long-term career goals, but as long as you are learning and making progress it can still be beneficial and set you up to pivot later.

Why Penn State?

What was the favorite/best class you took at Penn State and why?
My favorite class remains EGEE 102-Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection. It contains so much of the foundational knowledge that I still lean on today. I started that class knowing nothing — literally nothing — about energy and it sparked an interest that propelled me forward through the program and ultimately into my new career.

How did Penn State help prepare you for your career so far?
Penn State did a wonderful job of building a diverse knowledge base with courses in public policy, business, and environmental science. That meant that I had a lot of options when considering which jobs to apply for and ultimately, what graduate degree program to attend. There was also a lot of practical help like interview prep and resume review that was critical for me as I was graduating and looking for my first role.

Penn State Traditions

What is your favorite Penn State tradition?
I love that I can be walking through the airport or on the subway wearing a Penn State hat and I'll hear, "We Are!" and see a friendly face smiling back.

What’s the best thing about being a Penn Stater?
The size of the alumni network. Everywhere I have lived, there has been a big group of Penn Staters who gather together and support each other.

Fun Stuff

What’s your favorite quote and why?
"We don't inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children."