Sustainability degrees focus on the intersection of environmental, social/cultural and economic systems through the lenses of the sciences, social sciences and humanities. The goal of sustainability is to find a balanced approach that minimizes risks to these areas in order to maintain or enhance the quality of life in the future.
Those degrees fall into broad categories.
Though such degrees have a definite focus, you’ll find that all of them include some elements of both science and policy. There are good reasons for that multidisciplinary approach to sustainability education.
What can you actually do with a sustainability degree?
It’s a good question. With so many career opportunities and avenues available, the sustainability field can be hard to define. Here’s what you should know:
With a UW Sustainable Management bachelor’s or master’s degree, you gain a range of useful skills that can be applied to any job. And we mean any job. Here’s a sample of the careers that UW SMGT students and graduates have landed or are pursuing. Some may surprise you.
What they do: Lead and address organizational sustainability issues, such as waste management, green building practices, and green procurement plans.
National median 2020 salary: $95,500*
Preferred education level: Master’s degree
Sustainability professionals working in policy or business need to have a firm understanding of the latest science to develop effective practices; those entering the sciences need the soft skills to appeal to the public and decision-makers when advocating for those practices.
While many schools offer degree programs focused on the environmental aspects of sustainability (especially environmental science and social sciences), a growing number of schools are expanding these programs or creating new programs that focus on sustainability itself.
Comments