49er Industry Chats: Taking the Longer Road: From a Bakery to the Department of Transportation

Environmental Planner - Water Quality, Caltrans North Region Environmental Engineering

Amanda’s career journey has been a long road with a variety of stops. After receiving her undergrad degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles, she first managed a bakery, and then worked as a grant writer and data specialist for a homeless youth services organization. Her interest in marine biology and ecology brought her to CSULB, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Biology. Amanda was selected as a 2020 Sea Grant State fellow and was matched with Caltrans in their Environmental Engineering unit in Eureka as her host agency. Now a full-time Caltrans employee, she coordinates with regulatory agencies such as the Water Boards, USACE, NMFS/NOAA, Fish and Wildlife, and the Coastal Commission.