College Admissions Consulting So You Want to Save the Planet: Finding a Sustainability Major Written by Sara Calvert-Kubromon May 27th, 2020 My passion for higher education and working with students began as a resident assistant, admissions overnight host, and study abroad enthusiast as an undergraduate student at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. Working with high school and college students has been at the core of my professional experiences ever since. My first few years out of college included serving as an AmeriCorps member, working in public health, and teaching yoga. I later worked for the Women’s and Gender Studies Program at Boston College and subsequently served as a lead administrator of a freshman study abroad program at Northeastern University in collaboration with their admissions team. While at Northeastern, I worked with faculty, deans, students, and parents in a wide-array of academic disciplines in several countries. It was exciting to provide robust academic and cultural experiences for students all over the world as they started college before returning to Boston to pursue the rest of their degree. I most recently served as an admissions officer at my alma mater, where I recruited students of diverse academic interests primarily from the East coast, California, and Arizona, and worked with applicants from all over the United States and the world. While at Lewis & Clark I worked with deposited students taking a gap year, coordinated the college’s release of admissions decisions, served as an athletics liaison working with athletic coaches and recruits, helped oversee visit and student-interviewer programs, and managed and trained new admissions counselors. Learn More About Sara choosing a major, college admissions advice, major, sustainability, by Sara Calvert-Kubrom, former admissions officer at Lewis & Clark College In a time of increasing concerns about environmental sustainability, many students are passionate about protecting natural resources and actively engaging in environmental sustainability efforts. For most students this is a strong conviction that shapes their lifestyle and extracurricular activities and, for some, it will develop into an academic and career calling. Many parents I speak to are concerned and unsure of how a student can turn a passion for sustainability into a career, but do not fret—there are lots of options! According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “green jobs” are rapidly on the rise. Sustainability-related fields vary widely and include: Urban planning (My home town of Portland, Oregon, has a local elected wing of government called Metro, a great example of these career possibilities.) Environmental law Political lobbying Engineering Environmental science Sustainable energy Education and teaching opportunities, from youth programming through higher education Public transportation planning Waste management Entrepreneurial businesses focused on sustainable products and lifestyles Nonprofit and government work regarding environmental advocacy, protection, and regulation The list goes on, and there are many emerging and innovative opportunities. Similar to the diverse career options, there are many undergraduate college majors that can lead to sustainability-related careers. When exploring majors, it is important to look closely at the classes that make up the programs and reflect on the strengths and interests of the student. Here’s a sampling of these majors: Environmental studies or sciences. These terms are not standardized, so look closely at college websites to see what courses they offer. Quite often, environmental studies programs are interdisciplinary and look at the intersection of science and social sciences, and how humans interact with these topics). Here are a few examples: University of California Irvine’s interdisciplinary Environmental Science and Policy major Middlebury College’s Environmental Studies major Santa Clara University’s Environmental Science and Environmental Studies majors Sustainability Studies majors are interdisciplinary and often address topics related to renewable energy, economic and social equity, development, policy, ethics, business, and more. Hofstra University’s program is one example. Lab sciences such as biology, chemistry, and biochemistry Engineering (environmental, civil, chemical, industrial) Social sciences, such as political science, international affairs, and sociology may be good fits for students interested in policy, the impact of environmental concerns in marginalized communities and developing countries, and education. Computer science, math, analytic sciences Beyond major, it is also helpful to learn about a college’s overall commitment to sustainability. Are there clubs and organizations on campus to augment the student’s engagement? Are there pathways for internships in the field of interest? Does the college have robust course options, skilled faculty, and prioritize green practices on campus? Although I am often not a fan of most college rankings (there is simply not a way to quantify which college is “best” for each student), one of my favorite resources for students passionate about sustainability is the Sierra Club’s Top 20 Coolest Schools List and their extensive information about 282 colleges and universities with strong programming and academic programs in this area. As an Oregonian and proud alumnus of a college with an excellent environmental studies program, I know that I am biased, but I objectively think there is compelling evidence that this is an academic and career area of exciting growth and innovative possibility for this generation. Related Resources Read | Posted on April 16th, 2024 Understanding Direct Admission: A Pathway to Success Read | Posted on April 10th, 2024 Acceptance by Emi Nietfeld; Why You Should Fill out the FAFSA Read | Posted on April 9th, 2024 Community Colleges with Campus Housing
