Bower Profile
SES alum and grad student works for clean air
Ethan Bower is a recent Loyola graduate with a BA in environmental studies. He is now working for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and pursuing his master's degree in the School of Environmental Sustainability. He reflected on his Loyola education and his work at the EPA, where he helps monitor air pollution.
Ethan Bower's job at the U.S. EPA involves air quality monitoring and regulatory compliance activities related to the Clean Air Act.
What were some of your favorite classes and activities as an undergraduate?
I worked in SES on the admin floor for three years, and one of my favorite things about working there was I got to know the professors outside of a classroom setting. Since I started there as a first-year student, I got to take the class after already knowing them and what they were researching.
One of my favorite classes that I took as an undergrad was Climate and Climate Change with Professor Ping Jing. I had previously done air monitoring research with her, and when I took that class, it sparked so much joy and interest in me that I've carried through my professional life and career. I was grateful for the opportunity and the passion Professor Jing brought to the class. It was really needed, especially in terms of breaking down climate change to a digestible scale and making it applicable to us.
Also, at Loyola, I was a part of the Achieving College Excellence program, or ACE. I was a peer mentor and then a lead peer mentor. Through that experience, I was able to gain empathy and compassion for nurturing and supporting young minds. I loved helping them reach their end goals while sharing my own experiences and lessons that I learned along the way.
What led you to choose Loyola for your education?
I always knew that I wanted to go to a big city for college. I knew I did not want to be in my small town in Southern Illinois. One day, when I was coming home from school, my brother was watching basketball, and he asked me which team I thought would win. I said the red team, and it happened to be Loyola. Loyola was one of the only colleges I knew in Chicago, but the more I learned about Loyola, the more I fell in love with it.
I knew I wanted to do environmental science from a young age. I was in Boy Scouts, and I was always playing tennis. I love being outdoors, but oftentimes, I found that other institutions would rely heavily on life sciences or the physical sciences. I did not want to focus solely on those subjects. I wanted to focus more on ecology and anthropocentric aspects of environmental science, especially with a public health aspect in mind. When I researched Loyola, it just became better and better with the outside activities, the school, and the newly unveiled school (SES) at that time. I really liked the environment studies program and decided to give it a go, and I have not looked back since.
I came in as a transfer student, graduating with my associate degree when I was in high school. Since I knew I wouldn't be at the school for long, I was looking into post-grad opportunities somewhere because I wanted to keep that kind of four-year undergrad experience, especially with COVID stopping a year of my education. Loyola's accelerated bachelor's/master's program seemed beneficial. It was easy to stay in one place and build off courses I had already taken. I knew that I liked the program after going through the catalog and having known the professors for two years at that point. It was just a good opportunity, and there was no chance I was going to pass it up.
Do you find a large difference in the master's program compared to the undergraduate program? What is it?
I would say the biggest difference for me is the difference in perspectives in the master's program classes. These classes tend to have people of all ages, people going back to continue their education, people coming from full-time jobs, and people coming from being stay-at-home parents. It can show you that the workforce and higher education include different people from different walks of life. I also think the graduate courses focus on the course material in greater depth and have more specific topics.
What do you do for work currently and how did you find this job?
I work for the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Region Five's Air and Radiation Division. Specifically, I work as a life scientist in the air monitoring and analysis section. I found this job through the network that I established with my professor, Ping Jing, and the research that we were able to do. From that and the Environmental Law and Policy class, I was able to learn more about the U.S. EPA, especially as it relates to air quality. The administrative and regulatory compliance side spoke to me and was a good fit for what I wanted to do. I initially applied as an intern but withdrew my application due to other opportunities. So, when I got an invitation to apply for a full-time position, I jumped at the opportunity and have been grateful ever since.
What activities are you doing each day at the EPA?
My day-to-day work involves assisting in the oversight of the ambient air monitors in Region Five and doing research and regulatory compliance activities related to the Clean Air Act. I also act as the state lead between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the EPA. In this capacity, I act as the primary point of contact for the state of Minnesota and the U.S. EPA on all ambient air monitoring matters, essentially acting as a mentor at the federal level.
Did your Loyola experience prepare you for the workforce, especially the work you are doing now?
Loyola prepared me by providing opportunities to learn outside the classroom, as well as to hone in on my research and critical thinking abilities through other experiences. Both inside and outside the classroom, I was able to gain a comprehensive outlook on my field and most of the natural environment. Of course, for my specific job, I did most of my preparation on-site and with the support of my team at the EPA. Although I am still learning every day, I have used my strong foundation from the SES to begin my professional career at the EPA, and it helped me become a public servant for the everyday American people.
How do you hope to make a difference at your current job?
I hope to make a difference in my current job by upholding the Clean Air Act within Region Five. I want to continue working with my colleagues to protect clean, breathable, and safe air for everyone in our region and the United States.
What advice do you have for people who are wanting to get into this career?
I would recommend working at the EPA. It does come with its challenges and quirks, especially working in government and being subject to changes in administration, but over time, it can be a truly rewarding career. It might not be the most glamorous of jobs, but it is necessary for everyday people as we go above and beyond to protect our planet. As I continue to work more on air monitoring, it is gratifying to generate data that all types of people can use to make decisions for health purposes, ecological purposes, and other types of research. If you are in it for the long haul, it is definitely a very rewarding and fulfilling career.
Do you see yourself staying at the EPA long term? If not, what's next?
The EPA has been a wonderful experience I will boast about and cherish forever. Still, I think a detour in my career will be necessary for my career interests and the work I want to pursue. I would love to stay with the agency for as long as possible. However, I also want to prioritize my outside growth in the field to bring up my experiences to other sectors of environmentalism.
--Interview by Avery Elowson
What were some of your favorite classes and activities as an undergraduate?
I worked in SES on the admin floor for three years, and one of my favorite things about working there was I got to know the professors outside of a classroom setting. Since I started there as a first-year student, I got to take the class after already knowing them and what they were researching.
One of my favorite classes that I took as an undergrad was Climate and Climate Change with Professor Ping Jing. I had previously done air monitoring research with her, and when I took that class, it sparked so much joy and interest in me that I've carried through my professional life and career. I was grateful for the opportunity and the passion Professor Jing brought to the class. It was really needed, especially in terms of breaking down climate change to a digestible scale and making it applicable to us.
Also, at Loyola, I was a part of the Achieving College Excellence program, or ACE. I was a peer mentor and then a lead peer mentor. Through that experience, I was able to gain empathy and compassion for nurturing and supporting young minds. I loved helping them reach their end goals while sharing my own experiences and lessons that I learned along the way.
What led you to choose Loyola for your education?
I always knew that I wanted to go to a big city for college. I knew I did not want to be in my small town in Southern Illinois. One day, when I was coming home from school, my brother was watching basketball, and he asked me which team I thought would win. I said the red team, and it happened to be Loyola. Loyola was one of the only colleges I knew in Chicago, but the more I learned about Loyola, the more I fell in love with it.
I knew I wanted to do environmental science from a young age. I was in Boy Scouts, and I was always playing tennis. I love being outdoors, but oftentimes, I found that other institutions would rely heavily on life sciences or the physical sciences. I did not want to focus solely on those subjects. I wanted to focus more on ecology and anthropocentric aspects of environmental science, especially with a public health aspect in mind. When I researched Loyola, it just became better and better with the outside activities, the school, and the newly unveiled school (SES) at that time. I really liked the environment studies program and decided to give it a go, and I have not looked back since.
I came in as a transfer student, graduating with my associate degree when I was in high school. Since I knew I wouldn't be at the school for long, I was looking into post-grad opportunities somewhere because I wanted to keep that kind of four-year undergrad experience, especially with COVID stopping a year of my education. Loyola's accelerated bachelor's/master's program seemed beneficial. It was easy to stay in one place and build off courses I had already taken. I knew that I liked the program after going through the catalog and having known the professors for two years at that point. It was just a good opportunity, and there was no chance I was going to pass it up.
Do you find a large difference in the master's program compared to the undergraduate program? What is it?
I would say the biggest difference for me is the difference in perspectives in the master's program classes. These classes tend to have people of all ages, people going back to continue their education, people coming from full-time jobs, and people coming from being stay-at-home parents. It can show you that the workforce and higher education include different people from different walks of life. I also think the graduate courses focus on the course material in greater depth and have more specific topics.
What do you do for work currently and how did you find this job?
I work for the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Region Five's Air and Radiation Division. Specifically, I work as a life scientist in the air monitoring and analysis section. I found this job through the network that I established with my professor, Ping Jing, and the research that we were able to do. From that and the Environmental Law and Policy class, I was able to learn more about the U.S. EPA, especially as it relates to air quality. The administrative and regulatory compliance side spoke to me and was a good fit for what I wanted to do. I initially applied as an intern but withdrew my application due to other opportunities. So, when I got an invitation to apply for a full-time position, I jumped at the opportunity and have been grateful ever since.
What activities are you doing each day at the EPA?
My day-to-day work involves assisting in the oversight of the ambient air monitors in Region Five and doing research and regulatory compliance activities related to the Clean Air Act. I also act as the state lead between the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the EPA. In this capacity, I act as the primary point of contact for the state of Minnesota and the U.S. EPA on all ambient air monitoring matters, essentially acting as a mentor at the federal level.
Did your Loyola experience prepare you for the workforce, especially the work you are doing now?
Loyola prepared me by providing opportunities to learn outside the classroom, as well as to hone in on my research and critical thinking abilities through other experiences. Both inside and outside the classroom, I was able to gain a comprehensive outlook on my field and most of the natural environment. Of course, for my specific job, I did most of my preparation on-site and with the support of my team at the EPA. Although I am still learning every day, I have used my strong foundation from the SES to begin my professional career at the EPA, and it helped me become a public servant for the everyday American people.
How do you hope to make a difference at your current job?
I hope to make a difference in my current job by upholding the Clean Air Act within Region Five. I want to continue working with my colleagues to protect clean, breathable, and safe air for everyone in our region and the United States.
What advice do you have for people who are wanting to get into this career?
I would recommend working at the EPA. It does come with its challenges and quirks, especially working in government and being subject to changes in administration, but over time, it can be a truly rewarding career. It might not be the most glamorous of jobs, but it is necessary for everyday people as we go above and beyond to protect our planet. As I continue to work more on air monitoring, it is gratifying to generate data that all types of people can use to make decisions for health purposes, ecological purposes, and other types of research. If you are in it for the long haul, it is definitely a very rewarding and fulfilling career.
Do you see yourself staying at the EPA long term? If not, what's next?
The EPA has been a wonderful experience I will boast about and cherish forever. Still, I think a detour in my career will be necessary for my career interests and the work I want to pursue. I would love to stay with the agency for as long as possible. However, I also want to prioritize my outside growth in the field to bring up my experiences to other sectors of environmentalism.
--Interview by Avery Elowson