Daniella Zandi ’19
About Daniella
Why did you choose Cornell?
I wanted to learn among a diverse cohort of students with unique world views who were pursuing a passion and indulging some field of study that they found important and meaningful.
What was your favorite class and why?
Field Biology was an unforgettable experience. The lab portion allowed our cohort to form a strong bond and gave us the opportunity to apply and build upon the concepts we learned in the classroom to the campus-wide and Ithaca-wide classroom of lakes, rivers and woods.
What are the most valuable skills you gained from your Cornell education?
Cornell gave me the resources and support to pursue a passion or idea in a creative and functional way. I never felt as though my major of study was in a silo; I had many opportunities to co-mingle and co-learn with students in other disciplines. I constantly questioned the status quo and was therefore able to think outside the box to apply a systems thinking approach. In addition to a solid classroom education, I also learned how to navigate the real world of community, entrepreneurship, and networking.
What was your main extracurricular activity while you were at Cornell and why was it important to you?
Working in project teams with students of various ages and areas of study was super valuable.
I first gained project team experience on the CU Sustainable Design team. For one project I researched the optimal formula for a large-scale compost pile and worked with engineering students to design and develop a heat exchanger to generate electricity. On another, I acted as a landscape architect and a community organizer to develop a net-zero housing community.
Later on, as a founding team member of the Cornell Sustainability Consultants, our group of passionate, forward-thinking individuals directly engaged with the local community to catalyze circular economies and close resources loops.
How did your perspective change while you were at Cornell? How have these changes influenced your pursuits since graduating?
I felt immense pressure to immediately do something highly impactful right after graduating, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to have evolving interests and priorities in the larger pursuit of a more just and sustainable future. Each life experience is an opportunity for further discovery so don’t discount any opportunities!
After graduating in May I accepted a position as a Sustainability Specialist at a global architecture and design firm. I consult with architects, engineers, and designers to deliver built projects for clients with cutting-edge sustainability strategies.