Jill Durkin '22
Imagine being so passionate about sustainability that every step you take, every decision you make, is fueled by a desire to create a positive impact on the world. Meet Jill Durkin ’22 (Finance and Economics), whose sustainability journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.
As an undergraduate, she participated in the B Impact Clinic an impressive five times, serving as a student consultant and peer mentor for companies interested in B Corp certification. Her dedication to sustainability continued during her time as a Sustainability Fellow at Prime Buchholz in the summer of 2021. Prime Buchholz was also one of the companies she worked for during the B Impact Clinic, and the company is now a certified B Corporation (B Corp)!
These invaluable experiences not only honed her skills but also ignited a fire within her to pursue a career that aligned with her passion for sustainability. This drive led her to her current role as a Business Analyst at Prime Buchholz, where she continues to apply the skills she cultivated at the University of New Hampshire (UNH).
In a recent interview, Durkin graciously shared her experiences and shed light on what it's like working for a B Corp, as well as her decision to return to UNH for Graduate School after her impactful time at Prime Buchholz.
"I am so lucky to have made such incredible connections with people during my time in the clinic who helped me get the fellowship and, in turn, my first full-time job out of college!"
Why did you initially decide to do the B Impact Clinic?
As a Finance and Economics major with a strong interest in sustainability, I had the opportunity to work closely with Betty Woodman. She encouraged me to apply to the Clinic after doing an independent study on diversity and inclusion and serving as a Business Ethics TA for three semesters. I was lucky enough to work with Aday, a clothing company, during my first semester in the clinic, and the rest is history!
You did the clinic FIVE times with multiple companies, playing different roles. That’s incredible! Can you share some insights from those experiences?
Working with companies across various industries was an amazing experience because I got to learn several different versions of the B Impact Assessment (the first step to becoming B Corp certified). I also learned more about industries that are interesting to me and that I wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to, including fashion, beer, and coffee. I served as a peer mentor three times, and it was an incredible opportunity to grow as a leader because I worked directly with clients and learned professional communication and project management skills.
Jill during her Sustainability Fellowship at Prime Buchholz in 2021
How did UNH help prepare you for your role as a Business Analyst for Prime?
I recently left Prime to return to school, but I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work at the firm for a while before taking on that role. I was really lucky that I had the opportunity to get to know how the firm worked. My job was pretty much problem-solving and project management, which is a lot of the work we did in the Clinic!
Would you like to share anything about your experience as Prime's past Sustainability Fellow?
Your network is your best friend. I am so lucky to have made such incredible connections with people during my time in the clinic who helped me get the fellowship and, in turn, my first full-time job out of college! I cannot say enough about the community at the Sustainability Institute—especially the B Impact Clinic!
What values do you appreciate most in B Corporations?
I love the transparency that B Corps offers. As someone who worked in the ESG space for a bit, I know how difficult it can be to access such data. I love that B Lab has created a way to collect data on companies and provide reliable, data-driven scores. It would be so wonderful if every company had to provide the level of information that B Corps do!
"Working with a real client is a truly unique opportunity that I highly recommend. It will serve you so well to have had this real-world experience when you enter the workforce."
Jill coaching students at Mt. Sunapee
What advice do you have for students interested in the B Impact Clinic?
Embrace the learning curve; though it is steep, you will learn so much by immersing yourself in the assessment process. Working with a real client is a truly unique opportunity that I highly recommend. It will serve you so well to have had this real-world experience when you enter the workforce.
Lastly, could you share about your new journey into pursuing graduate school and if you have any future aspirations to incorporate sustainability?
I am currently back in school working on getting my Master’s. I have spent a lot of time working on the sustainable finance course that is offered at Paul College and helping Professor Kilbride teach it, and I have fallen in love with teaching! I hope that I’ll be able to eventually end up teaching a course on ESG data and metrics.
Also, prior to getting ankle surgery in January, I was coaching U12 ski racing at Mt. Sunapee and absolutely fell in love with the sport again (plus I love the kids and being outside), so I am anxiously awaiting getting the 'all clear' from my doctor to get back on snow!
