A Day as a Joint Degree: Spencer Burget
Yale’s Joint Degree Program between the School of the Environment (YSE) and the School of Management (SOM) offers a unique academic journey, bridging the gap between environmental leadership and business strategy.
This innovative program allows students to earn two advanced degrees in just three years, equipping them with the tools to tackle complex global challenges at the intersection of business and the environment. By immersing themselves in diverse coursework, collaborative projects, practical learning, and a supportive community, students graduate as leaders prepared to drive meaningful change in the world.
Here, we spotlight one of our joint degree students, Spencer Burget (MEM/MBA '27), who has shared an authentic glimpse into their day.
Spencer Burget
Spencer is a joint Master of Environmental Management and Master of Business Administration candidate at Yale’s School of the Environment and School of Management, driven by a passion to accelerate the transition to an equitable, sustainable, and resilient global energy system.
Prior to Yale, Spencer specialized in transportation electrification, first at the Environmental Defense Fund advancing the electrification of freight, and most recently at Atlas Public Policy, developing analytical tools and original research for the climate policy community. At Atlas, Spencer helped launch the Climate Program Portal, a platform to maximize the equitable impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, and led Atlas EV Hub, the largest community of policy professionals working on transportation electrification.
Spencer comes to Yale from San Francisco where he grew up and most recently lived with his fiancé, Jenna, and dog, Nala. Spencer enjoys getting outside through surfing, snowboarding, camping, hiking, and playing soccer, as well as creative pursuits including painting and pottery.
Starting the day on a quiet street in the East Rock neighborhood of New Haven. Just minutes away from East Rock Park, campus, and downtown, and right around the corner from Elana’s on Orange, a neighborhood soft serve ice cream shop with unique rotating flavor combinations enjoyed year-round.
Stopping in at Atticus for a morning cup.
A favorite student spot, Atticus Market offers everything from a perfect cup of coffee to delicious lunches, sweet treats, and unique gifts—all in one charming stop.
Inside and out of the Yale School of Management’s Evans Hall, where students learn, gather, and engage. The building received a Gold rating under the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in 2018.
Zhang Auditorium at Evans hall is often used for lectures, events and conferences such as the Yale Annual Clean Energy Conference and Startup Yale – the university’s biggest entrepreneurship event! Here, a student hosts a fireside chat with SOM alum Seth Goldman (MBA ‘95), founder of Honest Tea and the newly launched JUST Ice Tea.
Ending the day at School of the Environment’s Kroon Hall, for the annual CBEY Holiday party with staff, faculty and students. Fun fact! Kroon Hall was designed to use 61.1% less energy than a standard building of similar size and program.
Is the Joint Degree Program Right for You?
For those considering Yale’s Joint Degree Program, ask yourself: Are you ready to navigate the complexities of the climate crisis? Do you want to learn from world-class faculty and collaborate with peers who share your drive to make a difference? If the answer is yes, this program may be the perfect fit.
We’re here to support you every step of the way—from exploring your options to submitting your application. For more information, visit our YSE/SOM joint degree program site.