A Class Assignment Turned into a Published Op-Ed

That’s what happened to McKenzie Ploen MAEPM ’26, who wrote a piece for Professor Megan McKenna’s Environmental Leadership class that became an op-ed published in the June 2025 edition of SEVENSEAS.

“Beyond the Bottom Line: Finding Purpose in the Ocean” explores McKenzie’s journey from leaving the corporate world to finding purpose through environmental work.

“I’m so excited that my writing has been published!” said Ploen. “This piece is very personal and reflects on my decision to pursue a new path in ocean conservation, where I felt I could make a more meaningful impact.” 

McKenzie spent five years at Target, serving as an inventory analyst and senior logistics analyst. She traveled internationally for nine months after leaving the corporate world, and then enrolled at the Middlebury Institute.

“In the op-ed, I make the point that conservation work needs professionals from all backgrounds,” she shared. “I chose to go to the Middlebury Institute because I really loved that the Environmental Policy and Management program focused on giving students real-world professional experience. Even early into the program, I can see what my new career might look like.”

Speaking to those who may be at a similar crossroads, she says, “I hope the story resonates with others who are questioning their current path or searching for a role with greater purpose.”

The following is a passage from her piece:

“I used to measure success in cost savings and efficiency gains. My days were spent analyzing data, reassuring stakeholders, and ensuring goods moved smoothly from point A to point B. It was a career that made sense on paper—stable, well-paying, and rewarding. But over time, I started to feel a disconnect. I couldn’t shake the question: what impact am I actually making?”

Read the full op-ed in SEVENSEAS.