Interviewed by: Ellie S. (11th G)
Justin G. is a Jr at Stanford and we got chance to sit down with him t0 get his insights on driving real change and hear his advice for the next generation of student advocates.
Every journey has a starting point. Can you describe the specific moment (a class, a conversation, or an outdoor experience) where sustainability started being a personal mission?
Sustainability started being a personal goal when I came across this Bible verse: “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” (Romans 1:20) Since I am a Christian, this verse reminds me that God created everything and that all of creation speaks to His glory. I view being sustainable in the small things as one way to honor God and the world He created. From conserving water when brushing my teeth to not wasting napkins during meals, I now try to build up more sustainable habits because of this worldview.
As you move into college, what is the one piece of ‘institutional knowledge’ you want to leave behind for younger students?
From the perspective of a current college student, the most valuable thing in college is your time. When you first get to college, many different opportunities will arise, such as classes, clubs, research, jobs, etc. In order to not get overwhelmed, it is important to choose a few things where you can grow deeply, rather than collecting many shallow commitments. In choosing how to spend your time, it is important to understand which opportunities are stronger based on your school. For example, some schools may have a strong club culture where you can meet many upperclassmen who are eager to provide mentorship, whereas clubs at other schools may offer no benefit and have low dedication. Some schools may have strong research opportunities and connections, while other schools may be limited in access to resources.
If you could fast-forward ten years, how do you see your current studies or projects evolving into a career?
I’m currently focusing on robotics research during college, and I would like to consider a future career in the robotics industry. I am interested in robotics because it brings together machine learning and engineering to build systems that are robust enough for day-to-day use in complex physical environments and in interaction with humans. I recognize that robotics and AI can require significant computational resources, so I hope to approach the field with a sustainable and responsible lens. Ultimately, I want to help build intelligent systems that are efficient, thoughtfully deployed, and capable of solving practical problems for people and the environment.
