Overview of Sustainability
Sustainability is the responsible management of natural resources, such as energy, water, air, land, and biodiversity.
A day in the life of Environmental Scientists.
Get details on the salary and job security of these Sustainability careers:
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Agricultural and Food Scientists
- Conservation Scientists and Foresters
- Energy Auditor
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Geographers
- Geoscientists
- Hydrologists
- Park Ranger
- Sustainability Specialists
- Climate Change Policy Analyst
- Environmental Restoration Planners
Get Career Ready for Sustainability
Find out what it takes to land a career in Sustainability
Earn a Degree
To work in the Sustainability field, it is recommended you have a strong background in science, policy, health or engineering. Check the Mason Catalog for degree requirements.
Along with your degree, professional certifications like these may increase your employment options:
- Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)
- Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
- International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)
- Renewable Energy Professional (REP)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Certified Energy Auditor (CEA)
Gain Experiences
Employers expect at least six to twelve months of related experience to be competitive for full-time positions. Gain experience while you are a student at Mason.
Here are the types of experiences most valued by Sustainability employers, and where to find them:
Internships/Jobs
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Environmental Career
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- Ecojobs
- Environmentalscience.org
- Mason Study Abroad Programs
- Green Jobs Network
- Work on Climate
- Terra.do
- Climatebase
- Climate People
- Climate Draft
- Sustainable Career Pathways
- WorkforClimate
Research and Field Experience
- Apply to be a Global Sustainability Scholar
- Conduct research through OSCAR or at one of Mason’s many research centers and institutes, such as:
- Potomac Science Center: some of the specific Centers within include:
- The Potomac Environmental Research & Education Center
- Center for Geospatial Intelligence
- Institute for a Sustainable Earth
- Center for Resilient and Sustainable Communities
- Spend a semester at the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation
- Apply for research funding through the Patriot Green Fund
- Observe or participate in fieldwork during a semester abroad through the Global Education Office
Volunteer Experience
Market Your Skills
It is important for you to be able to clearly communicate the knowledge, skills and experiences you have gained in and outside of the classroom.
Get ideas on how to showcase your qualifications to Sustainability employers from the resume samples below:
Resume
Career Ready
Career ready Mason grads have gone on to work for Sustainability employers, such as:
AECOM |
Booz Allen Hamiliton |
Environmental Protection Agency |
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service |
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay |
U.S. Department of Agriculture |
Fairfax County Public Schools |
Fairfax County Park Authority |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) |
National Park Service |
Smithsonian Institute |
U.S. Geological Survey |
Applied Ocean Sciences |
Nova Parks |
National Park Trust |
Join the Sustainability community
Get involved with academic and professional Sustainability societies to grow your network while you're still a student.