Megan McCawley
Fostering a love of nature
Loyola alum Megan McCawley connects people with nature at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo
Originally from Kankakee, Illinois, Megan McCawley graduated from Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability (SES) in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in environmental science. Today, she helps people connect with nature as the horticulture operations manager at the Lincoln Park Zoo. She shared thoughts about how her education in SES helped her launch a meaningful and rewarding career.
Loyola environmental science alum Megan McCawley is the manager of horticulture operations at Chicago's Lincoln Park Zoo.
Q: What drew you to Loyola and the School of Environmental Sustainability for your undergraduate education?
I was initially drawn to Loyola because I wanted to live in Chicago and stay close to my family. I started undecided, and learning about the School of Environmental Sustainability ignited a passion and opened my eyes to the endless opportunities and growing needs in the field of environmental science.
Q: What do you do in your current job?
I am currently the manager of horticulture operations at Lincoln Park Zoo. I’ve worked at the same organization since graduating and have grown a lot here. It has allowed me to focus more on ecology and conservation, specifically Illinois native plants.
I am responsible for maintaining zoo gardens, overseeing contractors, maintaining our tool inventory, collaborating with other departments, and a variety of other things to keep the zoo horticulture department operating smoothly.
Q: How did your education in the School of Environmental Sustainability prepare you for this career?
My undergraduate education gave me a lot of baseline knowledge that has helped me succeed in this position and connected me with others in the field. My experience at Loyola gave me a passion for all things environmental and related to the natural world. I have always been an outdoorsy person, but going to Loyola really gave me a deeper understanding of the environment and sustainability.
I’m super grateful for my time at Loyola and truly believe that if I hadn’t learned about the School of Environmental Sustainability, I wouldn’t be where I am today, both professionally and personally.
Q: What are some of the highlights from your time at Loyola?
My biggest highlight from my time at Loyola is my experience working in the biodiesel lab and doing research with Zach Waickman. Feeling like I contributed valuable work to the bigger picture was and still is very important and meaningful to me.
Q: What do you find most interesting or meaningful about your current work?
I love helping others connect with nature in a very unique way. Working at a zoo gives me a great opportunity to help others connect with our plants and gardens while they are also connecting with and learning about animals.
Q: What advice would you give current environmental science students or those considering pursuing a degree in Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability?
My advice would be to look into all the different paths that environmental science can take you down—from law and policy to renewable energy to conservation. Find what draws you in the most. All of those things are interconnected, and you will be able to make a big impact.
Q: What drew you to Loyola and the School of Environmental Sustainability for your undergraduate education?
I was initially drawn to Loyola because I wanted to live in Chicago and stay close to my family. I started undecided, and learning about the School of Environmental Sustainability ignited a passion and opened my eyes to the endless opportunities and growing needs in the field of environmental science.
Q: What do you do in your current job?
I am currently the manager of horticulture operations at Lincoln Park Zoo. I’ve worked at the same organization since graduating and have grown a lot here. It has allowed me to focus more on ecology and conservation, specifically Illinois native plants.
I am responsible for maintaining zoo gardens, overseeing contractors, maintaining our tool inventory, collaborating with other departments, and a variety of other things to keep the zoo horticulture department operating smoothly.
Q: How did your education in the School of Environmental Sustainability prepare you for this career?
My undergraduate education gave me a lot of baseline knowledge that has helped me succeed in this position and connected me with others in the field. My experience at Loyola gave me a passion for all things environmental and related to the natural world. I have always been an outdoorsy person, but going to Loyola really gave me a deeper understanding of the environment and sustainability.
I’m super grateful for my time at Loyola and truly believe that if I hadn’t learned about the School of Environmental Sustainability, I wouldn’t be where I am today, both professionally and personally.
Q: What are some of the highlights from your time at Loyola?
My biggest highlight from my time at Loyola is my experience working in the biodiesel lab and doing research with Zach Waickman. Feeling like I contributed valuable work to the bigger picture was and still is very important and meaningful to me.
Q: What do you find most interesting or meaningful about your current work?
I love helping others connect with nature in a very unique way. Working at a zoo gives me a great opportunity to help others connect with our plants and gardens while they are also connecting with and learning about animals.
Q: What advice would you give current environmental science students or those considering pursuing a degree in Loyola’s School of Environmental Sustainability?
My advice would be to look into all the different paths that environmental science can take you down—from law and policy to renewable energy to conservation. Find what draws you in the most. All of those things are interconnected, and you will be able to make a big impact.