For those wondering how to get a Master's in Sustainability, read on. This particular degree will prepare you for a bright career affecting sustainability in business and other practices for a long time to come. In the meantime, this brief guide will explain some of the basics surrounding this degree and its applications.
Know What Courses Lie Ahead
While not absolutely necessary, foresight in knowing what a program's course requirements will be can really help some immensely. While most schools will offer a fairly similar range of study approaches and courses for the sustainability master's, there will still be some variation from one school to the next.
So, generally speaking, what are some of the courses typically found in a reputable Master's of Sustainability program? Beyond core courses required of nearly all students, here are some of the sustainability-focused stops along the path.
- Historic Foundations of Sustainability – A tour of the history of environmental awareness leading up to what is known as "sustainability" today.
- The Natural Environment – A closer look at natural environmental pictures, untouched by human change agents.
- Sustainable Organizations – Students in. this course will become aware of which particular organizations are among the most "green" today as well as how they arrived there.
- Corporate Social Responsibility – Learn about corporate models of being responsible to the Earth, its environments, and its people.
- Economics in Sustainability – A dive into the financial side of sustainability, its adoption, and its maintenance.
- Law and Ethics in Sustainability – The laws and ethical quandaries of sustainability versus a lack thereof are studied.
- Waste Management Processes – A tour is taken into the inner-workings of the various practices and options available in waste management, particularly where it relates to the environment and sustainability.
Career Paths and Degree Minors
Another thing helpful to keep in mind while completing the Master's in Sustainability is the type of career you are trying to ultimately achieve. Following this goal and subsequently choosing minors and additional coursework tuned to this route is highly recommended. For those wishing to eventually work in ethics and law in sustainability, for example, minoring in these types of courses would be wise. Likewise, someone wanting to work in the waste management side of sustainability may want to minor in courses related to material sciences and chemistry.
Some of the various career paths associated with the Master's in Sustainability include:
- Professor, Teacher
- Chief Sustainability Executive
- Researcher
- Soil Scientist
- Production Manager
- Lobbyist, Advocate
- Industrial Engineer
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental/Sustainability Consultant
- Chemical Engineer
Internships
Internships are another valuable commodity that allow students and new faces to the trade to gain entry-level access and important experience. Get a Master's in Sustainability, gain valuable experience in the meantime, and be prepared for the career of your choice. The following represent some great internship opportunities found around the sustainability field right now.
- Chemical Engineering Internships
- Internships in Sustainable International Development
- Atmospheric Science, Space Science, and Related Internships
- Solar Power Internships
- U.S Department of Energy Internships
It is also important to note that many colleges themselves provide access to various internship opportunities in this area of focus. Check with your school for programs that may currently be in place.
Related Resource: 30 Best Master's in Civil or Environmental Engineering Online Degrees
Sustainability is indeed something very important to us all. The pursuit of a career in this field of is a dedication to all of the Earth's natural bounty, now and in the future. These are some of the basics of how to get a Master's in Sustainability, and ultimately, join in that good fight for us all.