Overview of Sustainability
Sustainability is the responsible management of natural resources, such as energy, water, air, land, and biodiversity.
A day in the life of Environmental Scientists.
Get details on the salary and job security of these Sustainability careers:
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists
- Agricultural and Food Scientists
- Conservation Scientists and Foresters
- Energy Auditor
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists
- Geographers
- Park Ranger
- Sustainability Specialists
- Climate Change Policy Analyst
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Urban and Regional Planners
Get Career Ready for Sustainability
Find out what it takes to land a career in Sustainability
Earn a Degree
To work in the Sustainability field, it is recommended you have a strong background in science, policy, health or engineering. Check the George Mason Catalog for degree requirements.
Along with your degree, professional certifications like these may increase your employment options:
- Geographic Information Systems Professional (GISP)
- Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate
- North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP)
- International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP)
- Renewable Energy Professional (REP)
- Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
- Certified Energy Auditor (CEA)
Gain Experiences
Employers expect at least six to twelve months of related experience to be competitive for full-time positions. Gain experience while you are a student at George Mason.
Here are the types of experiences most valued by Sustainability employers, and where to find them:
Internships/Jobs
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Green Jobs Board
- George Mason Global Internships Program
- Climatebase
- Sustainable Career Pathways
Research and Field Experience
- Conduct research through OSCAR or at one of George Mason’s many research centers and institutes, such as:
- Spend a semester at the Smithsonian-George Mason School of Conservation
- Apply for research funding through the Patriot Green Fund
- Observe or participate in fieldwork during a semester abroad through the Global Education Office
Volunteer Experience
Market Your Skills
It is important for you to be able to clearly communicate the knowledge, skills and experiences you have gained in and outside of the classroom.
Get ideas on how to showcase your qualifications to Sustainability employers from the resume samples below:
Resume
- Undergraduate-level Sustainability resume sample (docx)
- Graduate-level Sustainability resume sample (docx)
Interview
Interviewing well is key to standing out with employers in sustainability, environmental advocacy, and green energy—and the best way to build confidence is through practice. Use InterviewPrep, George Mason’s free virtual mock interview tool, to explore industry-specific interview questions and sharpen your responses at your own pace.
- Register for an account at InterviewPrep using your George Mason email.
- Once you're logged in, use the following code to access a curated interview set for this career area: [bt34MTUAWR8s]
Career Ready
Career ready George Mason grads have gone on to work for Sustainability employers, such as:
| AECOM | Booz Allen Hamiliton | Environmental Protection Agency |
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay | U.S. Department of Agriculture |
| Fairfax County Public Schools | Fairfax County Park Authority | Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) |
| National Park Service | Smithsonian Institute | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Applied Ocean Sciences | Nova Parks | National Park Trust |
Join the Sustainability community
Get involved with academic and professional Sustainability societies to grow your network while you're still a student.