When Camilla Purdy arrived at Rice University a year and a half ago, she expected to learn about sustainability, environmental analysis and Houston’s energy landscape. What she didn’t expect, she said, was how profoundly the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program would shape her confidence, career direction and sense of community.
Purdy, who graduates this month with a Professional Science Master’s in Environmental Analysis, came to Rice immediately after completing her undergraduate degree in environmental studies at Texas A&M University. Drawn by the program’s interdisciplinary coursework, required internship and strong connections to Houston’s sustainability sector, she said Rice offered the perfect environment to merge her interests in people, society and the environment.
“Houston is the energy capital of the world,” Purdy said. “Coming back home felt like the right place to grow, learn and make an impact.”
At Rice, Purdy enrolled in courses across campus, from environmental analysis and sustainability to business and energy. She said learning from faculty and professionals who are actively shaping the field gave her a clearer view of the challenges — and opportunities — ahead.
Her coursework was matched by hands-on experience through internships at Anew Climate, Houston Methodist’s Office of Sustainability and Rice’s partnership with the FIFA Sustainability Committee. Those experiences exposed her to carbon markets, healthcare sustainability systems and large-scale event planning. In May, Purdy joined a Rice delegation in Paris to study sustainability strategies at the 2024 Olympic Games — an experience she describes as “once-in-a-lifetime.”
“It showed me what sustainability looks like in practice,” she said. “Seeing global efforts up close completely changed the way I think about environmental work.”
Beyond academics, Purdy quickly found her place in Rice’s graduate community. She joined the Graduate Student Association (GSA) Sustainability Committee in her first semester and later served as co-director, helping lead programs such as the graduate student clothing swap and new sustainability initiatives across campus. She also served as president in the Professional Science Master’s Association, where she found mentorship and a close-knit cohort.
“Being involved made my time at Rice,” Purdy said. “The community, the mentorship and the chance to create something meaningful — that’s what shaped my experience.”
Purdy said completing her degree in three semesters has been both challenging and deeply rewarding. She credits the program with helping her develop clarity and confidence in her professional goals.
“Rice didn’t just teach me about sustainability,” she said. “It taught me how to make decisions, how to build connections and how to imagine the kind of future I want to create.”
As she prepares to walk in commencement, Purdy said she is grateful for the whirlwind experience that brought her from Houston to Paris and into leadership roles across campus.
“It has been far better than anything I could have imagined,” she said. “I’m so proud of what I’ve accomplished here, and I’m excited for whatever comes next.”