Hazel Ratka (they/she) didn’t take a traditional path to sustainability. After years working in healthcare and serving in the Wisconsin Air National Guard, they began exploring a new direction and found opportunities in conservation and environmental work.
Now a student in the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management program, Hazel is combining their experiences in healthcare, military service, and hands-on conservation to prepare for a career in ecology, conservation, and freshwater restoration.
“You don’t need your entire career path mapped out before you start,” they said. “This program meets you where you are. The coursework, instructors, and Success Coaches help you uncover your strengths and refine your goals along the way.”
Hazel is finishing the UW Sustainable Management program this month and will walk the stage in December. Learn more about their experience below:
What inspired you to shift from healthcare to environmental work?
My career path has been anything but conventional in the best possible way. I originally studied at UW-Milwaukee with the goal of becoming a radiology technician, and I worked in healthcare as a home health aide and CNA for many years. Because the Air National Guard is a part-time commitment, I always maintained civilian jobs alongside.
In 2021, after breaking my hand and navigating the challenges of the pandemic, I felt compelled to reevaluate my direction. That period of reflection ultimately led me to discover my passion for sustainability. Growing up a military kid and seeing so much of the world shaped my appreciation for nature and my desire to protect it. Outside of school and service, I’m drawn to wildlife, gardening, and community engagement.
My conservation experience has grown significantly in recent years. I interned as a Summer Gardening Assistant with the UW–Parkside Community Garden, where we grew over 2,000 pounds of produce for the Racine-Kenosha Food Bank. This is also my third year volunteering at Riveredge Nature Center for the Lake Sturgeon Restoration project. I’m currently raising 1,000 fingerling sturgeon and have raised 2,500 fish that have been released into the Milwaukee River at Sturgeon Fest. I’m excited to be celebrating their 20th year this September.
I also completed a Veterans Horticulture Internship at the Chicago Botanic Garden. Working in the Elizabeth Hubert Malott Japanese Garden taught me ecological horticulture, pruning techniques, and plant care, while giving me hands-on experience interacting with visitors and supporting public education. These experiences—combined with my military background—have shaped my discipline, resilience, systems thinking, and environmental stewardship.
What motivated you to pursue an online bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Management?
I chose the UW Sustainable Management (SMGT) program because it was the best fit for the classes and skills I had already gained, and it offered a clear path to redirect my education toward an environmental career.
The online format allowed me to continue working, serving in the Air National Guard, and gaining hands-on conservation experience—all at the same time. The flexibility let me build a well-rounded background while figuring out my niche within the environmental field. SMGT brings together environmental science, business, and policy in a way that aligns perfectly with my long-term goals in sustainability, ecology, and conservation work.
What has it been like going to school in an online setting?
Online learning has been empowering because it provides the flexibility I need to balance school with daily life. I can schedule coursework around work, appointments, and my health, which has improved my consistency and motivation. The format also allows me to continue volunteering and interning without feeling like I’m falling behind academically.
Overall, online education has made my studies more accessible and sustainable, helping me maintain a healthy balance while progressing toward my goals in environmental and sustainability work.
How has your overall experience been in the Sustainable Management program?
My experience has been extremely positive. While I anticipated learning about sustainability and environmental issues, I didn’t realize how valuable the broader coursework would be, especially marketing, organizational behavior, and economics. These subjects helped me understand how organizations operate, how to engage with stakeholders, and how economic and structural decisions shape environmental outcomes. This perspective is useful, as I envision working with small nonprofits or community organizations.
Simultaneously, the SMGT program allowed me to delve into the areas I am most passionate about. Courses in ecology, environment and society, and sustainability helped me explore the interactions between natural systems, human systems, and organizational structures. The SMGT program has provided both the foundation and the interdisciplinary perspective I need to move confidently toward a career in ecological restoration, conservation, and sustainability leadership.
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What role has Success Coaching played in your academic experience?
Success Coaching has been a very helpful part of my experience in the program. My Success Coach offered guidance, answered questions, and provided reminders exactly when I needed them. Whether it was planning course loads or receiving check-ins during stressful weeks, their support helped make online learning feel structured and manageable.
My instructors have also been wonderful. They were understanding and accommodating regarding my learning disability and any challenges that came up. Their willingness to clarify expectations and offer feedback made a significant difference in my confidence and academic success.
How will your degree help you in your career?
The SMGT program has helped me understand sustainability through multiple lenses: science, policy, economics, organizational behavior, and community engagement. This broad perspective is essential for work in small nonprofits or community-based organizations, where people often take on multiple roles.
The degree has shaped my long-term goals. I aim to work in ecology and freshwater restoration, improve water quality, support native ecosystems, and contribute to the conservation of rare and threatened species. The SMGT program has also helped me identify the intersection of my interests: ecology, sustainability, community well-being, and education.
The program has equipped me with the tools and confidence to pursue a career where I can positively impact both ecosystems and the people who depend on them.
What advice do you have for others considering the Sustainable Management program?
Don’t underestimate how empowering online learning can be. The flexibility of the program allows you to balance school with work, family, health, military service, or other responsibilities—while still earning a high-quality UW degree.
Most importantly: reach out and ask questions—even the “dumb” ones. If you’re confused, someone else probably is too. Asking early makes everything clearer and much less stressful, and the instructors and Success Coaches truly want to help.
Finally, embrace the interdisciplinary nature of SMGT. Sustainability is about people just as much as it is about the environment. Understanding those connections will prepare you for a wide variety of careers in this field.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your time in the program?
I’m grateful for how the program helped me reconnect with my passions and fully step into a field that feels meaningful. When I shifted away from my earlier healthcare path, I wasn’t sure how my past experiences fit together. SMGT has helped me rediscover my strengths, build confidence, and find a sense of purpose.
The program hasn’t just prepared me for a career in sustainability—it’s helped me grow personally and given me direction, belonging, and the confidence to pursue the work I love.
To learn more about the University of Wisconsin Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management, contact an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or learn@uwex.wisconsin.edu.
UW Sustainable Management is a collaboration of three UWs. Hazel is earning their degree through UW-Parkside.