Kazakhstani woman hired to work at an American city hall

A month ago, Arujan graduated magna cum laude from Furman University with a bachelor's degree in Sustainability Science and Communication Studies. In her blog, she noted that she was the only student from Kazakhstan at the university. During her four years of study, she completed six internships and professional development programs, participated in research and community projects, studied abroad twice, and received several academic awards.

Following graduation, she joined the City of Greenville administration, where she will focus on sustainability and urban environmental policy.

Photo provided by Arujan

Choosing a university for its unique program

According to Arujan, this job is the logical next step in a path she began carving out during her school years.

"I chose Furman University specifically for its Sustainability Science program. Compared to other U.S. universities that often focus on biology or geography, this program was unique because it sits at the intersection of social sciences and ecology," she said.

Throughout her studies, she consistently balanced academics with hands-on experience.

"Over the four years, there were literally only three or four months when I wasn't interning somewhere. I completed internships at various non-profits during both the summers and the semesters," Arujan shared.

Her experience includes research projects, a collaboration with a city in South Korea, and nearly a year at the Citizens' Climate Lobby, which promotes environmental policy in the U.S., eventually leading to opportunities with municipal projects.

Why municipal government?

Working with local government proved to be particularly engaging for her.

"I've always been interested in how projects related to parks and urban nature conservation develop. I was curious to understand how cities plan their growth, how they interact, and how they preserve natural resources while continuing to expand," she noted.

Photo provided by Arujan

Arujan’s interest in ecology predates her move to the U.S. While in Kazakhstan, she volunteered, participated in environmental initiatives, raised awareness about environmental issues in Astana, and sought out professional opportunities in the field.

She later continued her education at an international school in Japan, studying environmental systems, societies, and biology, before enrolling in the American university.

One of the primary reasons she chose Furman University was the opportunity to gain practical experience while studying.

"The university established connections for students with non-profits, businesses, and other partners so that we could combine our studies with real-world work," she explained.

"Proactivity played a major role"

When asked which qualities helped her secure the position at the city administration, Arujan emphasized initiative above all else.

"I think my proactivity played a huge role. When I was 15 or 16, I didn't just say I was interested in the environment. I started looking for volunteer organizations, worked on non-profit projects, and created my own initiatives alongside students from other cities in Kazakhstan," she said.

She believes it is crucial to explore different facets of a chosen profession as early as possible.

"Even within sustainability, there are so many avenues. You can work with businesses to help them achieve carbon neutrality, focus on community projects for residents, or work with government agencies and conservation organizations. When young people develop an interest in a field, it's vital to nurture it," she shared.

Mentors and professional networking

Arujan also cited mentorship as a significant factor in her success.

"I’ve always had people who helped me with advice. If I had an interview or an interesting project came up, they would explain how they would approach the task, who I should talk to, and sometimes they would even introduce me to their professional contacts," she noted.

Photo provided by Arujan

According to the Kazakh national, networking also plays a crucial role in finding opportunities in the United States.

"LinkedIn is extremely popular. You can connect with professionals from different states, ask questions, network, and participate in the professional community. Even if you're just starting your career, you can gradually build your own network of contacts," Aruzhan noted.

She added that conferences and research project presentations also help in meeting potential employers.

"Sometimes students present their research at conferences and then receive internship or job offers after graduation. It really does happen," shared the Kazakh woman.

Future plans and returning to Kazakhstan

Over the next two to three years, Aruzhan plans to continue working in the US to gain experience in municipal management, sustainable development, and environmental protection.

"I want to grow in the field of urban and small-town management, and then move into nature conservation and collaboration with major international organizations. In two or three years, I plan to apply for a master's degree — either in the US or in the European Union. Perhaps in the future, I will go into environmental policy," she shared.

At the same time, she does not rule out the possibility of applying her knowledge in Kazakhstan one day.

"I want to return when I feel truly confident in my skills. I’m interested to see what stage of development Kazakhstan will be at and how I can be useful. When I was in school, topics like ecology and waste recycling were only just beginning to actively develop. In Japan, I saw that these systems have long been part of everyday life. I would like Kazakhstan to reach a level where respect for the environment becomes a natural part of society. Then, the development of environmental projects will happen much faster and more effectively," Aruzhan concluded.

It is worth noting that this is not the first time Aruzhan Sakhariyanova has been in the spotlight. A few years ago, she was featured as a student eco-activist from Astana promoting Zero Waste and conscious consumption. She spoke at environmental events, lectured on waste sorting and the need for resource conservation, with some even calling her "the Greta Thunberg of Kazakhstan."