A Key Step on Nishaila Porter’s Career Path to the Department of Energy

Why Northeastern?

For Nishaila Porter, choosing Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Environmental Science and Policy program was all about finding the right balance. “I chose Northeastern because there was a lot of flexibility in terms of my course design,” she shares. “Northeastern fit the criteria for me—it was local, had the curriculum I wanted, and provided opportunities like fellowships.”

The blend of hard sciences and policy components made the program stand out, offering her a realistic approach to achieving her career goals.

“I really appreciated that Northeastern’s program allowed me to gain real-life experience before graduating,” Nishaila explains. “The curriculum was designed in a way that gave me practical opportunities through service learning and co-op.”

Leveraging Northeastern’s network

During her studies, Nishaila took full advantage of Northeastern’s employer network through the co-op program, which provided her with invaluable work experience. “I did a co-op during the summer, and my counselor connected me with a fellowship at the Department of Energy,” she says. “It was a great opportunity because the person I worked under was actually a professor at Northeastern.”

Through this fellowship, Nishaila was able to contribute to the department’s Justice40 Initiative, which focuses on ensuring equity across its programs. The experience gave her a deeper understanding of how policy and environmental science intersect and how she could apply that knowledge to her future career.

Building skills for the future

Before graduating in 2023, Nishaila developed a wide range of technical skills that will benefit her in the long run. “I took a GIS course—Geographic Information Systems—which taught me how to visualize data like population census numbers and GPS points. It’s a valuable skill that makes complex data more digestible,” she explains.

She also gained insights into urban planning, mapping, and program evaluation, which she’s excited to apply in her future career. “From urban planning to program evaluation, the skills I’ve learned here will definitely help me evaluate organizations and contribute meaningfully to the environmental field.”

A supportive environment

For Nishaila, Northeastern’s faculty and peer support system have been essential to her success. “The faculty at Northeastern are very warm,” she says. “They’re excited about their work, and that energy transfers to the students. They’re not just there for a paycheck—they truly care about what we’re learning and achieving. They’re continuously seeking opportunities to collaborate and support students. That level of engagement is so important.”

Beyond the classroom, Northeastern also offers a peer-to-peer advising system, which Nishaila found incredibly valuable. “The peer-to-peer advising helped me understand what classes I should take and which professors I’d connect with best,” she adds.

Looking ahead

Nishaila is confident that her degree from Northeastern will help her reach her professional goals. “I came to Northeastern because I knew I needed more technical experience,” she reflects. “With this degree, I’ll be in a position to shape projects and make decisions that have a real impact.”

She also emphasizes the flexibility of the program, which allowed her to tailor her education to her needs. “You can take courses at an accelerated rate or go at your own pace,” she says. “It’s designed to fit around your personal and professional life.”