About Lauren Anderson
2009: Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from University of Southern Indiana
2010: Master’s Degree in Sociology from Ohio University
2011: Case Management and Youth Counselor at Ireland Home Based Services; Evansville, IN
2012-2013: Adjunct Instructor in Sociology at USI
2013 – 2016: Youth and Community Development Specialist with Peace Corps; Dominican Republic
2018 – Present: Earthship Biotecture, New Mexico
Q&A with Lauren
What inspired you to pursue your career?
I am extremely interested in environmental issues and finding solutions to those issues. I originally signed up to participate in the Academy program and really fell in love with the Earthship concept. Earthships address 6 basics needs that all humans have: food, comfortable shelter, water, sewage treatment, waste treatment, and electricity. Each Earthship deals with those needs on an individual basis and so each structure that is built is completely autonomous and does not rely on the existing infrastructure. If we continue living the way that we do in our society, our planet cannot sustain us. Earthship Biotecture is looking for ways to remedy our current trajectory.
Tell me about a day in the life of your work at Earthship Biotecture.
Every day is something different! I am the director of our academy program at Earthship Biotecture. We offer 4-week long courses teaching individuals from all over the world the theory, methodology, and construction techniques behind the Earthship principle. During Academy sessions I am usually seen running around coordinating everything for our students. In the off-season I am working on improving our program, creating different promotional materials, and working with past students. I also deal with all of the media that comes through our company as well.
Buzzfeed video featuring Lauren:
What is the most challenging part of your job?
Compared to my time spent living in the Dominican Republic while serving in the Peace Corps nothing is challenging. One of Peace Corps mottos is “the hardest job you’ll ever love.” Living in the Dominican Republic was an amazing experience and something I truly cherished, but it is not an easy task.
What is on your desk right now?
What are some of your highlights as you’ve advanced in your career path?
Traveling to other countries with the company to build Earthships has been one of the main highlights thus far! We just returned from spending the month of February in Uruguay.
What are the top three things on your bucket list?
How would you finish this sentence: If I were back in college, I wish I would have taken more classes in / I would have gotten a better understanding of ________________.
Finance or business administration. These classes are so applicable to anyone!
What is your favorite USI memory?
There are so many, but most of them revolve around all of the amazing connections I made, especially within the Sociology Department.
What advice would you give a recent college graduate?
Don’t stress about the next step. You have completed your education at an awesome university and will find the right path for you.
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