Tyler Bunday (MS ’26) is graduating from the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) with a specialization in Ecosystem Science and Management (ESM). Bunday is a Next-Gen Scholars program lead peer advisor and pioneered the Accessible Food Bag Initiative at SEAS.

What did you do before coming to SEAS?

I worked in engineering for five years, performing quality control of work done on the natural gas system with PG&E. I helped certify data sets and installations for compliance with California regulatory safety standards. We also ensured that the assets were mapped accurately and captured if anything was missing in GIS.

What drew you to SEAS and the ESM specialization?

I was drawn to SEAS as I’d been living in the area with my partner, who is at Michigan Medicine, but I was discontented with my work. I wanted to be in a field that worked towards improving communities and the natural world. I found SEAS in town and saw the depth of options to learn the things I wanted to learn, like the functioning of ecosystems and how integral humanity needs to be for stewardship. ESM was vital for me to learn ecological foundations to better understand living and nonliving species and how they and we fit into this world in a way that makes life better for everyone.

What has your SEAS experience been like?

My SEAS experience has been great. It largely exceeded my expectations. I think I grew in a lot of unanticipated ways, and found connections to people and new ideas that I never even considered. It helped guide me towards what I’m truly meant to be doing, and made me feel at home. The people were the most impactful. My peers helped me feel supported every step of the way. The faculty and staff have helped challenge my views and mentor me to become a better and more caring version of myself. I feel much more empowered to make a positive impact on the world.

Would you recommend SEAS to incoming students?

It has been one of the best experiences of my life, and I’ve learned so much. I’ve also met so many people that I’m glad to consider future colleagues, and some have become my dearest friends. Overall, yes, I would recommend SEAS, but don’t do it lightly, or just as a thing to do.

The most beneficial reason is to augment and build your skills and connections in this field, not to draw out your time in school to avoid “the real world.” It is expensive, and if you don’t come from wealth, that cost will follow you for decades. I would explore every way possible to find a life that you are happy with without having to go deep into debt, but you will find your people at SEAS, and that's been worth it for most of us.

What will you do after graduation?

Hopefully, find a job in food systems, program management or conservation. I’m trying!