Centre for Career and Personal Development Degree Profiles

These degree profiles look at potential jobs, key skills & atributes, associations & professional development and great books which relate to each degree and its potential career path.

Certificate in Sustainability Studies

If you’re an undergraduate student the Certificate in Sustainability Studies may be for you. You will gain the knowledge, skills and exposure to the real-life scenarios needed for a career in sustainability. Most undergrads can complement their degree with the certificate at no extra cost. Exceptions apply to students pursuing a degree in Law, Nursing, Social Work, Undergraduate Medical Education, Veterinary Medicine, or a specialized program.

After completing the Certificate in Sustainability Studies, you will be ready to enter into a variety of industries and jobs ranging from climate change adaptation to sustainable community design and sustainable futures planning, to natural and social resource conservation and stewardship, to renewable energy and regenerative food and water systems, product stewardship, municipal and federal planning and policy development, and community based and environmental monitoring, reporting and consulting.

Key Skills & Knowledge

Strong understanding of the role they can play in achieving the United Nations 17
Sustainability Development Goals committed to by over 190 world leaders
Knowledge and research skills for applied problem solving of Sustainability issues
Hands-on experience in understanding and defining real world solutions to real world problems – locally, nationally and internationally
Experience in tackling Sustainability issues and being exposed to interdisciplinary problem and modes of thinking in both theory and practice

Sample Job Titles

Please note some of these positions may require further training, certification or education. Check out the occupational profiles to review the full details for the occupations that interest you at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo

Business Development Analyst
City Planner
Conservation Analyst/Officer
Conservationist
Corporate Spokesperson
Market Research Analyst
Natural Resource Policy Analyst
Outdoor Guide
Park Ranger
Policy Analyst
Public Education Officer
Resource Management Specialist
Safety Environmental Coordinator

Soil Scientist
Surveyor
Sustainability Specialist
Sustainability Educator
Sustainability Officer
Sustainability Researcher
Sustainability Trainer
Sustainability Architect
Teacher/Professor
Urban/Regional Planner
Waste Reduction Coordinator
Water Quality Analyst

Potential Industries

Agricultural
Analysis/Forecasting
Banks/Credit Unions
Economic Research Institutions
Education
Environmental NGOs
Environmental Protection Agencies
Government
International Trade Companies

Labour Unions
Market Research
Newspapers & Magazines
Oil & Gas
Post-Secondary
Statistical Research Firms
Transportation Companies
Trust Companies
Utility Companies

Associations & Professional Development

Job Sites

Did You Know?

Formal Career Assessments like the Strong Interest Inventory and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can be helpful tools for your career development. These assessments have been used for decades to help individuals choose a major, explore career options during and upon completion of a degree and to further understand yourself in relationship to the world of work. Inquire with Career Services if you are interested in these formal assessments.

Publications

Careers for Environmental Types and Others Who Respect the Earth by Michael Fasulo; Jane Kinney
ISBN: 9780658016486
Publication Date: 2001-10-02
This title is part of the Careers for You series which offers a range of creative ideas that show people how to turn hobbies and interests into a viable and satisfying career. Each of the books in the series explores careers requiring various levels of training, offering a range of compensation, and an array of working conditions. Resources for further career exploration in each specific field are included throughout the text and first hand accounts from people working in the field will should give readers an idea of what to expect on-the-job.
Great Jobs for Environmental Studies Majors by Julie DeGalan; Bryon Middlekauff
ISBN: 9780658016523
Publication Date: 2002-03-27
These books answer the perennial question, What can I do with a degree in...? These are handy guides for those who are wondering how to translate their major into a career. This book is designed to help college students put their majors to work. It offers suggestions and profiles of career paths and general information about conducting an effective job search in the field specific to their major.
Green Jobs by A. Bronwyn Llewellyn; James P. Hendrix; K. C. Golden (As told to)
ISBN: 9781598698725
Publication Date: 2008-04-01
Going green isn't just recycling any more. With this comprehensive guide, readers can find the job of their dreams--and sleep better at night.