Name: Carl Kassebaum
Current company and position: President, CRK Environmental Management
Home town: I grew up on a farm near Sunnyside, Washington.
High school: Sunnyside High School
UW degree(s) and grad year(s):
B.S., 1972, Civil Engineering;
M.S., 1974, Civil Engineering
When were you at the UW?
1967-1973
Why did you go to the UW?
My dad attended the UW, and we were always Husky fans, which were hard to find in the Yakima Valley. It was always just assumed that I would go to the UW.
There were only about five students from my graduating class of more than 200 who went to the UW. The rest going to college went to WSU, Central Washington University or somewhere else. However, one of those five was Bonnie Dunbar! (Editor's note: Astronaut Bonnie Dunbar, '71, '75, was the UW's 2004 Alumna of the Year.)
Where did you live while at the UW?
I started off in Lander Hall, then went to Haggett, and later moved off campus. When I started living in the dorms, there was hardly any diversity, but it had increased greatly by the time I left.
Did you work or participate in campus activities while a student?
I did a lot of intramural sports, and worked summers to help put myself through school. One of my summer jobs was at the Environmental Protection Agency. I also received a stipend from the EPA as a master's student.
What was your first job out of college, and was it in your degreed field?
I went straight to work for the EPA, even before I finished my master's, because there was a hiring freeze coming up. I stayed there for 13 years.
How did you get started at your current job?
After leaving the EPA, I decided to become a consultant, utilizing my environmental regulatory experience to help clients secure environmental approvals for their projects.
What are some of your specific responsibilities?
In environmental consulting, a client will come to you with the project they have in mind, and you need to help them bring that project in line with applicable regulatory requirements. For complex projects, you need to do environmental impact statements, determine the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project, and help determine which permits and permit conditions are likely to be required. In other words, you review what they want to do, see how it stacks up against the regulations, and work with the client to reshape the project to secure needed approvals.
What do you find most challenging about your work?
Probably reconciling all the agencies and the client to each other, negotiating through the various areas of authority, and facilitating project decision-making. It never seems to be a straightforward process. However, the complexity level causes the work to be very interesting and exciting.
Has networking been an important element in your own career development?
Yes, I think it is very important. I wish that I'd lined up some mentors myself when I first started my career. To talk to someone when you have an idea or concern is really valuable. They often can tip you off to the pitfalls you will encounter, and help you modify what you want to do for a greater chance of success.
Why do you volunteer as a contact and UW mentor?
I get a kick out of being around the younger folks. The student I mentored last winter quarter is wonderfully idealistic; she wants to go out and change the world. I was able to say, go ahead, but beware, keep your eyes open as you go: here are some of the problems you might encounter. She's going to spend the year in South America as part of her thesis program, studying the economics of Third World countries, particularly women and how to improve their lifestyles. We met throughout the year, and are still in touch.
It's been a great experience, and I'm planning to mentor again with the upcoming program.
Are there any Husky Career Connections experiences that stand out in your mind?
Well, this isn't related to the program, but some friends of mine sponsored a young woman from Nepal who wanted a college degree. My wife hired her as the office assistant at her company, and now she's just earned her accounting degree from Western Washington University. She's recently returned to the company in an accounting position and the company is committed to helping her get her green card.
This young woman has worked hard to fulfill her dreams and is an excellent employee. It's amazing the difference people can make in someone's life when they get involved and offer a helping hand.
Is there any career advice that you'd like to offer to students and alumni?
Know your own philosophies, principles and values and live your life accordingly. The rest will somehow take care of itself.
Securing a mentorship is valuable, especially if you're at a government agency or big company. Watch and listen. Be friendly and responsive. Identify two or three top people, outside the chain of command of your direct boss, and make them your mentors. Then as you become more active and important to your company, you can reap the benefit of their hard-won experience, avoiding the pitfalls of going it alone.
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Carl Kassebaum volunteers as a UW Alumni Association/Office of Minority Affairs mentor during winter quarter, and as a Husky Career Connections Network contact year round. The Mentor Program pairs UW students with alumni mentors in their field of interest each January-March. If you're interested in participating this winter, or would like more information, please send an e-mail message to crmentor@u.washington.edu.