Conservation as a Calling: How Corina Solis Transformed Burnout into Purpose

As environmental awareness grows and sustainability becomes a top priority for both companies and consumers, a growing number of professionals, especially among younger generations, are rethinking what meaningful work looks like. With ecological urgency mounting, many are exploring ways to align their careers with causes they care about.

But what does it really take to leave corporate comfort behind for a mission-driven path in conservation? And how do you build professional equity in a field where passion often outweighs profit?

Welcome to Professional Quotient. In the latest episode, host Jason Winningham welcomes Corina Solis, Land and Conservation Coordinator at the Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. In a candid, inspiring conversation, they explore Solis’s unexpected transition from corporate burnout to conservation leadership, and how aligning your career with your values can be the ultimate form of professional growth.

In this insightful episode…

  • Solis shares how a toxic workplace pushed her to leave corporate America and rediscover her love for nature.
  • She discusses the power of hands-on learning, mentorship, and community in developing expertise and confidence in a new field.
  • Solis explains how internships, volunteering, and independent learning were key to her own career pivot—and how they can empower anyone, at any age, to step into mission-driven work.

Corina Solis serves as the Land & Conservation Coordinator at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center in San Antonio, Texas. With roughly a decade of experience in conservation, education, and project coordination, she leads habitat restoration efforts, develops community workshops, and manages native plant demonstration gardens. Her expertise in native plant ecology and grassroots engagement drives both ecological impact and public stewardship.

From garden trails to mentorship moments, Corina now raises her PQ through hands-on advocacy and connection.

Article written by MarketScale.

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