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Sustainability / Conservation / Energy

Welcome to the Sustainability, Conservation and Energy interest community!

Members of this community are interested in careers that 1) Provide sufficient amounts of energy for today’s world without undermining environmental integrity or draining future resources. 2) Produce a good or service that benefits the environment or conserves natural resources. This good or service could be renewable energy, pollution reduction, an organic product, or environmental compliance. 3) Reduce the environmental impact of an organization’s production processes. Responsibilities might include establishing cost-cutting initiatives such as energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, waste management, or resource conservation.

People who pursue careers in Sustainability/Conservation/Energy may focus on issues ranging from reducing ecological footprint and minimizing pollution to working directly on environmental and sustainability issues in various sectors, or in areas like solar energy, wind power, hydropower and more. These jobs exist in emerging green sectors and in traditional sectors such as manufacturing, technology, insurance, and the state and federal government, making the world of sustainability/conservation/energy one that is both deeply rooted in our day-to-day life and the subject of much innovation and research.

Examples of career pathways include (but are not limited to): Air Quality Forecaster; Aquatic Biologist; Biofuel Production Operator; Ecotourism Guide; Environmental Public Relations Specialist; Geoscientist; Hydrographic Surveyor; Landscape Architect; Soil Conservation Technician’ Sustainability Program Coordinator; Watershed Manager; Watershed Science Technician; Wetland Specialist; Wind Energy Engineer

Pathways to Climate Careers Panel Discussion

The College of the Environment hosted a career panel last quarter featuring alumni who work in various climate-focused roles, both in government agencies as well as industry. The panel addressed careers in environmental consulting, regulatory roles, and research. Climate Sciences …

By Kirk Heynen (He/Him)
Kirk Heynen (He/Him) Career Coach
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PITCH YOUR IDEA and win a trip to Berlin! – FALLING WALLS LAB on May 16th

The UW Office of Global Affairs, in collaboration with the German Center for Innovation & Science, the German Research Foundation, and UW CoMotion, would like you to know about the Falling Walls Lab, a great opportunity for students to share …

By Meaghan Wood (She/Her)
Meaghan Wood (She/Her) Career Coach
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Interested in a scholarship to attend the Sustainable Forestry Initiative Conference?

Scholarships to the 2024 SFI Annual Conference from June 4–7 in Atlanta, GA

Applications will be accepted until April 6, 2024.

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is offering scholarships to selected American and Canadian young professionals and students studying environmental …

By Meaghan Wood (She/Her)
Meaghan Wood (She/Her) Career Coach
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Huskies@Work

Looking to expand your network and explore potential career paths with a former Husky?

Huskies@Work is a UWAA program that matches current UW students with alumni to discuss career journeys and job experiences in one-time, low-commitment online talks. Whether you’re …

By Lauren Sevilla (she/her)
Lauren Sevilla (she/her) Mentor & Alumni Engagement Program Manager
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Join UW Solar!

UW Solar is a Vertically Integrated Project and Registered Student Organization that is part of the Urban Infrastructure Lab at the University of Washington. We participate in the planning, design, and development of solar and related electrification (e.g., electric vehicles, …

By Meaghan Wood (She/Her)
Meaghan Wood (She/Her) Career Coach
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Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Student Stories & Advice

Cesar Robles

Student Stories & Advice
  • Edison Engineering Development Program GE Vernova
Meet Cesar >

Margot Adam

Student Stories & Advice
  • School for Public and International Affairs Princeton University
Meet Margot >

Greta Weise

Student Stories & Advice
  • Soundwatch Boater Education Program Intern The Whale Museum
Meet Greta >

Mitsuki Shimomura

Student Stories & Advice
  • M.S. in Aeronautics & Astronautics University of Washington
Meet Mitsuki >

Peyton R

Student Stories & Advice
  • Master's of Science in Energy & Sustainability Northwestern University
Meet Peyton >

Ashleigh Bell

Student Stories & Advice
  • Grad Student - Sustainability in the Outdoor Industry University of Colorado, Boulder
Meet Ashleigh >

Tanner Poling

Student Stories & Advice
  • AUV Operations Engineer Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Meet Tanner >

Evan Mickelson

Student Stories & Advice
  • Electrical Engineer Electric Reliability Council of Texas
Meet Evan >

Featured Resources

CoolWorks

Since 1995, CoolWorks has been a leader in CONNECTING PEOPLE seeking meaningful and exciting work with the EMPLOYERS who are …

Nethubb  

Nethubb makes it easy to start building your professional network to be discovered for career opportunities. They provide you the …

Sustainability / Energy / Conservation Search Engines

Energy Jobs Network

The Energy Jobs Network (EJN) has been helping employers find qualified candidates for their energy related positions …

Scholarships & Fellowships Supporting Sustainability/Conservation/Energy Career Goals

Many different types of organizations, companies and agencies provide scholarship opportunities to support students in preparing for careers related to …

Tips for Job Searching in Handshake – Sustainability/Conservation/Energy

With thousands of jobs and internships for students on Handshake, how can you find the ones that are right for …

Virtual Interview Practice

StandOut is a mock video interviewing platform. You can access an Environmental Science practice interview.

Career & Industry Guides

Vault Guide to Energy Jobs, Third Edition

The Vault Guides to Jobs series provides essential information about key careers and industries, with an emphasis on preparing for …

Vault Guide to Alternative Energy Jobs, Third Edition

The Vault Guides to Jobs series provides essential information about key careers and industries, with an emphasis on preparing for …

Vault Guide to Nonprofit Jobs, Third Edition

The Vault Guides to Jobs series provides essential information about key careers and industries, with an emphasis on preparing for …

Vault Career Guide to Energy, Third Edition

In the midst of an energy boom that has positioned the United States as one of the world’s top oil-producing …

Vault Guide to Utilities Jobs, Second Edition

The Vault Guides to Jobs series provides essential information about key careers and industries, with an emphasis on preparing for …

Vault Guide to Nuclear Power Jobs, Second Edition

The Vault Guides to Jobs series provides essential information about key careers and industries, with an emphasis on preparing for …