Environment, Climate, and Sustainability
Explore Careers That Create Positive Change
Interested in climate action, conservation, renewable energy, environmental justice, sustainable business, or protecting natural resources?
The Environment, Climate, and Sustainability pathway connects students with opportunities to explore careers focused on solving environmental challenges and creating a more sustainable future.
Whether you’re interested in science, policy, business, communications, research, education, technology, or community engagement, there are many ways to make an impact.
Is This Pathway Right for You?
You might be interested in this pathway if you:
- Care about environmental and climate issues
- Want your work to have a positive social or environmental impact
- Enjoy solving complex problems
- Are interested in sustainability, conservation, energy, or environmental justice
- Want to combine your values with your career goals
- Like working across disciplines and collaborating with others
There is no single path into sustainability work. Students enter this field through many different majors, interests, and experiences.
Explore Career Areas
Environmental careers can be found across government, nonprofits, research institutions, startups, consulting firms, corporations, and community organizations.
Common areas of focus include:
- Climate Policy & Advocacy
- Renewable & Clean Energy
- Conservation & Environmental Protection
- Sustainability & Corporate Responsibility (ESG)
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Environmental Justice
- Environmental Research & Science
- Green Technology & Climate Innovation
- Environmental Education & Communication
- Outdoor Leadership & Recreation
Gain Experience
The best way to explore this field is through hands-on experience.
Consider:
- Internships
- Research opportunities
- Community engagement projects
- Sustainability-focused student organizations
- Environmental advocacy work
- Outdoor leadership programs
- Climate and sustainability initiatives on campus
Top Resources and Opportunities
Featured Middlebury Opportunities
Sustainability is part of everyday life at Middlebury. Whether you want to explore climate action, join a student organization, conduct research, volunteer, or gain hands-on experience, there are many ways to get involved on campus and beyond.
The Sustainability and Environmental Affairs (SEA) team supports programs, internships, funding opportunities, events, and student initiatives focused on creating a more sustainable future.
- Climate Action Program – Supports climate-focused initiatives across campus and helps pilot new ideas that create meaningful environmental impact.
- Sustainability Solutions Lab – Offers paid experiential learning opportunities where students develop professional skills while working on real-world sustainability challenges.
- The Knoll – A student-powered organic garden and outdoor learning space where students can engage in agriculture, research, environmental education, and community building.
- EcoReps – A peer education program that helps students build environmental awareness and promote sustainable living on campus.
- New Perennials – Focuses on cultivating long-term thinking around land stewardship, ecology, food systems, and sustainability through hands-on learning and community engagement.
