OCS Expo Showcases New Green Technology

The Office of Career Services held the second-annual Energy and Environment Expo last Friday, offering students the opportunity to speak with representatives from a variety of venture capital firms, start-up companies, and volunteer organizations.

The event, held in the Radcliffe Gym, featured over 30 exhibitions of new products and technologies ranging from drought-tolerant grass seed to sustainable, LED flat panel lights.

Focusing on research and nonprofit work, the event stood in contrast to some OCS-sponsored events that have directed students towards careers in business management and finance.

While Friday’s event was open to all Harvard students, a majority of those in attendance were seniors or graduate students, according to OCS Director Robin Mount, who noted that there were a number of Business School students interested in the business side of energy.

Inspired by the All Ivy Environmental and Sustainable Development Career Fair held annually at Columbia University, OCS administrators Anthony J. Arcieri and Scott LaChapelle organized the first event last year.

“We wanted our own event to promote interest in environmental and energy opportunities,” Arcieri said. “We decided on an event that was less of a career fair and more of an exposition.”

LaChappelle said he was satisfied with both the number of companies who had agreed to participate and the variety of career paths that they offered students.

But Samuel H. Rashba ’14 and Gabriel Trevino ’14 said they were slightly disappointed in the lack of opportunities available for freshmen.

“It seemed really more geared towards graduate students,” Trevino said, “but it was interesting nonetheless.”

Event organizers estimated the turnout was at least as good as last year’s, with over 100 students attending.

Some students said they were pleased with the variety of companies present.

“They’re here to help students turn the skills they learn in the classroom into jobs and careers in the real world,” Akachimere C. Uzosike ’13 said. “It’s a great opportunity because energy and environmental technology are two issues that Harvard and the United States need to be leaders in.”