Careers in Sustainability

There is a demand for employees and leaders who know what sustainability is and understand its complexity, understand how to approach problems and solutions, and know how to work with and draw from different disciplines. By engaging a breadth of knowledge and experience, and by acquiring the skills to integrate various domains of knowledge, sustainability students prepare themselves for a variety of careers.

Recent interest in sustainability within business and government has created new employment opportunities – in positions like sustainability coordinators, directors, and managers. School of Sustainability graduates may assume positions in industry, consultancy, utilities, regulatory agencies, nonprofits, governmental agencies and nongovernmental organizations. Graduates are prepared for admission into strong graduate and professional schools.

Where are Our Alumni Now?

Since the School of Sustainability's inception, our graduates have gone on to new jobs across the nation at a variety of companies, nonprofits, universities, and organizations. See where they've ended up and where you can go.

What Can You Do With a Sustainability Degree?

Students with a sustainability degree have skills that apply to virtually any field or profession, although advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions. Thinking of pursuing a degree in sustainability? Here are some of the jobs you might consider:

  • Corporate Sustainability/Corporate Social Responsibility (Dell, Nike, REI, Coca-Cola, Intel)
  • Socially Responsible Investing (Vanguard, Fidelity)
  • Research and Development (Argonne National Laboratory, Maplecroft, Globescan)
  • Marketing/Media (Greenbiz, Grist, 3BL, earth911, MSM)
  • Event Planning (Opportunity Green)
  • Stakeholders (BSR, CERES, Net Impact, etc)
  • Consulting (Accenture, Blu Sky Consulting, Green Order, SustainAbility)
  • Policy Makers, Government, and Regulatory Agencies (United Nations, Environmental Protection Agency)
  • NGO (Natural Resource Defense Fund, Greenpeace, Environmental Defense Fund)
  • Other Nonprofit (Global Reporting Initiative, Sierra Club, Americorps, Peace Corps)
  • Education (teaching, research, administration, operations, student affairs)
  • Non-sustainability jobs in Sustainability Companies (Dixon, YouChange)
  • Standards Organizations (UL Environment, Fair Trade, Blue Angel)
  • Waste and Recycling (Waste Management)
  • Fashion and Apparel (Nike, Adidas, American Apparel)
  • Military (http://www.sustainability.army.mil/)
  • Food and Agriculture (Roosevelt Row, local farmer’s markets)
  • Start your own business/nonprofit (Carbon Roots, Ollie the Trolley, Beat Streat)

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vision

Established in 2007, the School of Sustainability brings together multiple disciplines and leaders to create and share knowledge, train a new generation of scholars and practitioners, and develop practical solutions to the most pressing environmental, economic, and social challenges of sustainability - especially as they relate to urban areas.

About Our School »

What is Sustainability? »