Invested environmental activists hold sustainability practices dearly as a value or lifestyle. You’re probably gardening in your backyard as a hobby, supporting local farmers, or taking environment-focused courses but, have you thought of sustainability as a career goal? It might be you first time hearing this: there are plenty of opportunities for people interested in pursuing a career in sustainability, ranging from consulting to engineering. Here are a few of them—feel free to do more research if your interest is not listed below!
Environmental Engineering
Environmental engineers develop solutions to environmental problems using the principles of engineering, soil science, biology and chemistry. Environmental engineering is a very broad field and therefore, addresses problems of different nature including recycling, public health and water disposal. Practically, environmental engineers run quality-control checks, develop energy-efficient devices, etc. This is a perfect option for engineering-minded people who are also deeply concerned about environmental issues.
Sustainability Consulting
With the sustainability movement spreading like wildfire, several companies are striving to become more socially and environmentally responsible in their operations. However, many of them lack internal sustainability expertise, and that’s where sustainability consultants come into play. They are essentially advisors hired to help corporations implement eco-friendly practices or reach their sustainability goals.
Renewable Energy Engineering
Demand for renewable energy engineers has been on the rise lately. They seek to harness energy from clean sources including solar, wind and hydropower, while minimizing environmental drawbacks. For instance, biofuel engineers synthesize fuel from organic source to reduce carbon footprint.
Sustainable Architecture
Sustainable architects focus on architectural development that minimizes environmental impact. They achieve this by moderately using eco-friendly materials and improving energy efficiency. As an example, a sustainable architect can reduce the carbon footprint of a building by utilizing recycled materials when possible or installing solar panels.
Written by Kelly Jean, Class of 2021