Jonas Goldman

Jonas Goldman speaking with colleagues at meeting reception. 

Jonas Goldman

Trade and Climate Change Policy Analysis

International Institute for Sustainable Development

Created On: June 14, 2023
Sector:
Human Services
Education Pathway: University
Related School Subjects:
Business & Economics,  English & Language Arts,  Environmental Science,  Climate change,  Sustainability,  Social Sciences
Readability:
7.5

Learn About My Career

I research various subjects (technology, economics, politics) to inform the making of climate policy.

I was born/grew up in: Born Toronto, ON, Grew Up Boston Ma, USA and Saxton's River VT, USA

I now live in: Toronto, ON

I completed my training/education at: Dalhousie University – Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science & Political Science);  Columbia University – Master of Public Administration (Environmental Science & Policy

My work varies from day to day but requires a broad skill set. Sometimes I collect economic indicators for various parts of the economy. Sometimes I examine ecological systems, such as the flow of carbon in and out of ecosystems. Sometimes I determine the energy efficiency of different technologies. The decisions I make are related to what information is useful to policymakers and which is unimportant.

My background in STEM is useful for my job. I use my STEM knowledge to change technical information into something politicians, or others not familiar with that field, can understand. It's very helpful that I have some knowledge of a lot of different STEM fields. This is because my work touches on a variety of topics. My work sometimes involves collaboration with a team on a shared research report. At other times it involves a solo deep dive into a topic. I mostly interact with my colleagues on Teams or Zoom.

When I was in high school, I wanted to be the next Crocodile Hunter. I still do most days, but this will have to do. Oh boy did I have a lot of internships! One at a news agency. Another was as a butterfly biologist, and one was working on communicating environmental policy at a local NGO in Halifax. I also did part-time event management, worked in retail and behind a grill at a burger place. I guess you could say my career path has been all over the place. That's kind of the reason I like research: it's so varied and it gets to touch on so many different things.

I ended up in the research/think tank world somewhat by accident. When the pandemic started, I had just graduated. I was looking for work and really didn't want to keep having to live at my parents' house. It took me 11 months from when I started looking for work to when I landed my first real job, which happened to be at a think tank. I had applied to pretty much everything under the sun! However, I fell in love with this work and couldn't be happier where I ended up.

My motivation comes from the fact that I can have an impact at the level of governments, and the economy. Most importantly I enjoy how our collective impact shapes our living planet. In my job you get to work on really big things. If you can find the right think-tank/consultancy/government department you could have a hand in shaping policy that changes the lives of millions of people for the better.

Policy is the computer software that determines how society functions. It can be a huge lever for good. At its heart politics is who gets what and how much. Policy is how those decisions are implemented. It's important that there are people with good hearts helping shape the policy process.

Policy is taking a piece of the universe's complexity and remaking it as it should be. It is an agreed upon set of ideas or a plan of what to do in a particular situation.  I've seen the work I've done show up in the Federal budget. It's not every day that your decisions get to change the lives of millions of people or protect ecosystems.  It's a lot of coffee and staring at computer screens but it's also word made flesh. It pushes the limits of what any individual can do to create systems change. Plus, I can do 90% of my job in my sweatpants!

Rock climbing, boxing, EDM shows, camping, and reading.

Write and publish. I don't care where, submit your ideas to any newspaper/journal/website you can think of, especially the place you think is too good for your work.

What I do at work

My work varies from day to day but requires a broad skill set. Sometimes I collect economic indicators for various parts of the economy. Sometimes I examine ecological systems, such as the flow of carbon in and out of ecosystems. Sometimes I determine the energy efficiency of different technologies. The decisions I make are related to what information is useful to policymakers and which is unimportant.

My background in STEM is useful for my job. I use my STEM knowledge to change technical information into something politicians, or others not familiar with that field, can understand. It's very helpful that I have some knowledge of a lot of different STEM fields. This is because my work touches on a variety of topics. My work sometimes involves collaboration with a team on a shared research report. At other times it involves a solo deep dive into a topic. I mostly interact with my colleagues on Teams or Zoom.

My career path is

When I was in high school, I wanted to be the next Crocodile Hunter. I still do most days, but this will have to do. Oh boy did I have a lot of internships! One at a news agency. Another was as a butterfly biologist, and one was working on communicating environmental policy at a local NGO in Halifax. I also did part-time event management, worked in retail and behind a grill at a burger place. I guess you could say my career path has been all over the place. That's kind of the reason I like research: it's so varied and it gets to touch on so many different things.

I ended up in the research/think tank world somewhat by accident. When the pandemic started, I had just graduated. I was looking for work and really didn't want to keep having to live at my parents' house. It took me 11 months from when I started looking for work to when I landed my first real job, which happened to be at a think tank. I had applied to pretty much everything under the sun! However, I fell in love with this work and couldn't be happier where I ended up.

I am motivated by

My motivation comes from the fact that I can have an impact at the level of governments, and the economy. Most importantly I enjoy how our collective impact shapes our living planet. In my job you get to work on really big things. If you can find the right think-tank/consultancy/government department you could have a hand in shaping policy that changes the lives of millions of people for the better.

Policy is the computer software that determines how society functions. It can be a huge lever for good. At its heart politics is who gets what and how much. Policy is how those decisions are implemented. It's important that there are people with good hearts helping shape the policy process.

How I affect peoples’ lives

Policy is taking a piece of the universe's complexity and remaking it as it should be. It is an agreed upon set of ideas or a plan of what to do in a particular situation.  I've seen the work I've done show up in the Federal budget. It's not every day that your decisions get to change the lives of millions of people or protect ecosystems.  It's a lot of coffee and staring at computer screens but it's also word made flesh. It pushes the limits of what any individual can do to create systems change. Plus, I can do 90% of my job in my sweatpants!

Outside of work I

Rock climbing, boxing, EDM shows, camping, and reading.

My advice to others

Write and publish. I don't care where, submit your ideas to any newspaper/journal/website you can think of, especially the place you think is too good for your work.

When I was a student I enjoyed:

  • History

When I was a student, I would describe myself as someone who:

  • Always wanted to be outside
  • Liked being given free range to explore my ideas
  • Played video games
  • Was really creative
  • Engaged in activities such as fishing and berry picking

Related Topics

Careers Climate Change Communication Research Methods SDG13-Climate Change Sustainability Sustainable Development

Explore More Career Profiles

  • Brianna Lummerding à genoux près d’un cerceau en plastique collectant des échantillons dans un champ herbeux.

    Brianna Lummerding

    Career Profiles

    Agronomic Innovation Manager

    I look after all things related to soil management for a group of retailers.
    Learn More Brianna Lummerding
  • Li Tan, vêtu d'une blouse de laboratoire de couleur blanche, souriant dans son laboratoire.

    Li Tan (he/him)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (he/him)
  • Tyler Mohard wearing lab coat and hair net as he works in the SyLMAND lab

    Tyler Morhart (video)

    Career Profiles

    Scientist, Beamline Responsible - SyLMAND

    I am responsible for the SyLMAND beamline at the Canadian Light Source synchrotron facility.
    Learn More Tyler Morhart (video)
  • Five people, each wearing a white lab coat, standing around a lab bench that has scientific equipment on it.

    Li Tan (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Molecular Lead

    I coordinate the day-to-day operations in the DNA Extraction Lab.
    Learn More Li Tan (Video)
  • portrait par Rashell Featherstone

    Rashell Featherstone (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Senior Program Associate

    I coordinate projects for the development of new products at STEMCELL.
    Learn More Rashell Featherstone (she/her)
  • Kira Hoffman portant un casque rouge avec de la fumée en arrière-plan

    Kira Hoffman (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Postdoctoral Researcher/Fire Ecologist

    I am a researcher at both a university and a not-for profit organization where I am gaining experience to become a senior researcher.
    Learn More Kira Hoffman (she/her)
  • Zoe Ehlert closely examining a plan that has yellow flowers

    Zoë Ehlert (Video)

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert (Video)
  • Daniel Meister headshot

    Daniel Meister

    Career Profiles

    Master's Student, Kinesiology

    Learn More Daniel Meister
  • Zoë Ehlert, vêtue d'une blouse de laboratoire blanche, pose une boîte en carton sur une étagère.

    Zoë Ehlert

    Career Profiles

    Manager, Marker Assisted Breeding

    I lead a team that develops canola crops by breeding plants with traits we are looking for.
    Learn More Zoë Ehlert
  • Jennifer Baltzer portant une casquette et un tee-shirt violet avec des arbres en arrière-plan.

    Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Professor and Canada Research Chair in Forests and Global Change

    I work at a university, teaching students and conducting research on the impact of climate change on forests in Canada and around the world.
    Learn More Jennifer Baltzer (she/her)
  • Caitlyn Lyons, prête pour la forêt avec son sac à dos et ses outils de collecte de données. La photo insérée montre Caitlyn examinant une section de gazon.

    Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)

    Career Profiles

    Ph.D. Candidate

    I am working towards my PhD and studying the forests in the Northwest Territories.
    Learn More Caitlyn Lyons (she/her)
  • Joann Whalen headshot

    Joann Whalen

    Career Profiles

    Professor at the Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences,

    I teach advanced courses on how to manage soils to produce healthy, nutritious food and maintain healthy ecosystem functions.
    Learn More Joann Whalen