Several talented high school and college students have partnered with us this summer as interns. We're grateful for their hard work and the skills they bring to our team's programmatic work and outreach efforts. Since sustainability is all about ensuring a high quality of life for future generations, we place a high priority on providing quality educational opportunities to our interns.

Today we're sharing the story of Navami Jain. She has helped to bring the qualitative and quantitative data collected during our Walk2Transit project to life through visualizations. 

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

My name is Navami Jain, and I am a rising junior attending the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), a residential school in Durham, North Carolina. I hold a deep interest in STEM, specifically computer science and environmental studies. Some of my hobbies include reading, dancing, and trying out new cuisines!

What were your main roles and responsibilities at Sustain Charlotte this summer?

I analyzed and visualized users’ experience in walking tours hosted across Charlotte with the purpose of highlighting pedestrian accessibility to public transit. I used a spatial analysis software known as qGIS (quantum Geographic Information Systems) to quantify users’ perceptions of walking routes based on standards of safety and convenience, and subsequently illustrate spatial trends in user perception.

How has this experience informed your understanding of sustainability? 

I learned just how much public transit access varies over space. While touring a walking route myself, I walked from Sustain Charlotte’s office on Hawkins St. to Arbor Glen. The quality of walking routes in these two areas were on different ends of the spectrum. Population demography clearly plays a role in a person’s accessibility to their nearest bus stop.

What advice would you share with other students who want to make their community more sustainable?

I think you are more likely to succeed in something that you enjoy doing. There are so many outlets to promote sustainability, so I would say find your passion, and think about ways to channel this interest into making a positive change.