Future-Ready Careers Series: Exploring Sustainability Pathways for Students
In this 3rd e-book in our Future-ready Careers series, we look at the growing industries in sustainability, including new and emerging pathways.
Kids may not know the meaning of sustainability, but offer them a chance to help clean up a park or plant trees, and they’re eager to join. They care about the environment and are somewhat aware of the impact of climate change. According to a Lancet Planetary Health survey, 4 in 5 young Americans worry about the impact of climate change on people and the planet, and 65% indicate it will affect their plans and career choices. Now, in their formative years, is a great time to enhance their awareness of environmental issues and opportunities for future-ready careers.
Understanding sustainability
The UN World Commission on Environmental Development defines sustainability as the practice of meeting present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Three pillars best describe the concept of sustainability:
- Environmental Sustainability: Protecting natural resources, reducing pollution, and mitigating climate change.
- Social Sustainability: The well-being and longevity of communities emphasizing social equity and human rights and ensuring access to basic needs such as healthcare and education.
- Economic Sustainability: Long-term economic stability without depleting resources or harming society.
Roles of Educators in Promoting Sustainability
News stories and headlines touching on one of these pillars occur every day. Think about events happening in your community or city that affect students and their families. Currently, the news is shining a light on the decline of the monarch butterfly population (which has declined 95% around coastal California since the 1980s). Studying the monarch population in your hometown introduces students to the environmental impacts of climate change.
A study of social sustainability may introduce students to changes to the healthcare needs of children in their town over a defined period. An example of economic sustainability could include students composting food waste and growing a school garden, reducing waste, saving money on fertilizer, and providing locally sourced fresh food for school lunches. It’s a great lesson in resource management. Projects like these are a valuable way to introduce sustainability into the curriculum.
Resources and tools for teaching sustainability concepts
Introduce resources and tools created to inspire curiosity about the environment to augment student sustainability exploration. Interactive simulations and games like EcoChains, Minecraft: Education Edition (Sustainability City), and The World’s Future are tools for elementary students. Climate Interactive, Eco (Strange Loop Games), and Climate Action Simulation serve the needs of high school students.
Visually draw kids into earth change experiences using Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. For elementary students, help them explore earth changes over time with Google Earth Timelapse or immerse them in ecosystems with a VR experience using Ecosphere VR. High school students can analyze deforestation, sea-level rises, and land-use changes on Google Earth Engine.
Online courses and Learning Hubs like UNESCO Teaching Resources on Sustainability, Edpuzzle, and Khan Academy-Climate Science are in the elementary domain. High school students can dive into TED-Ed: Climate Change and Sustainability, Khan Academy: Ecology and Environment, and US Green Building Council Learning Lab Modules and Lessons.
Encourage students to form clubs focused on sustainability, environmental education, and community outreach. Have them launch a class or school-wide campaign around green practices. Look into established initiatives around sustainability like:
Youth Climate Action Challenge
Global Recycling Day Challenge
Real-World Sustainability Challenges and Solutions
Discovery activities like these may spark students’ passion for pursuing a career in sustainable resources. Heightening students’ interest in environmental issues and practices locally and worldwide impacts their lives and connects their learning to a larger purpose. Newfound passions spark their curiosity and encourage them to consider what’s available in sustainability careers.
Composting and growing a garden or compiling and analyzing data on the monarch population are great ways to spark curiosity. Still, it’s never too early to promote discovery about careers in the sustainability field. Real-world challenges await young minds to step up, discover, and implement quality solutions.
When adjusting the curriculum to incorporate sustainability lessons, consider the challenges we face today.
- Climate Change: Weather events are becoming increasingly newsworthy as climate change poses risks to ecosystems and human societies. Many companies welcome adapting strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
- Biodiversity loss: A decline in species diversity has generated conservation efforts and habitat restoration.
- Water scarcity: Clean water is scarce in some regions. Companies need immediate solutions for sustainable water management.
- Plastic pollution: Environmental degradation and health risks call for policies and advocacy to reduce plastic consumption.
- Unsustainable agricultural practices: Water pollution and a decline in biodiversity due to the overuse of chemicals and fertilizers call for adjustments in agricultural methods.
- Energy transition: Reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels encourages the creation of technologies like solar, wind, and other renewable energy systems.
- Social equity and justice: The effects of climate change are disproportionately affecting certain regions and populations. Addressing poverty and inequality can improve education, healthcare, and energy resources, creating fair and inclusive societies.
Exploring careers in sustainability
Employment opportunities in the sustainability sector are robust and diverse. Over the next decade, projected employment for several green positions looks very bright. For students pursuing a bachelor’s degree, the need for environmental engineers, scientists, and specialists (including health) and conservation scientists is significant. Students out of high school willing to train for specialty positions like wind turbine service technicians or solar photovoltaic installers can expect long-term, well-paid employment. Essential positions requiring an associate’s degree include environmental engineering technologists and technicians or environmental science and protection technicians. For a more comprehensive list of sustainability fields, see Xello’s Driving Change: Exploring Careers in Sustainability.
Skills for sustainability careers
Educators help prepare students for green careers by attending to the skills (core, technical, and interpersonal) necessary for success in this field. These skills enabled professionals to address complex environmental and social challenges effectively.
Core skills
Critical thinking is a key skill to develop. Analyzing and assessing problems and developing creative solutions is crucial for balancing environmental, social, and economic factors at the forefront. Systems thinking involves understanding how different components of a sustainability system (e.g., ecosystems, economies, societies) interact. Collaboration skills are essential for working in teams on environmental projects, community engagement, and developing policy initiatives.
Technical skills
Data analysis is essential for measuring impact, predicting trends, and making informed decisions. A solid understanding of environmental science or engineering is key for a number of sustainability roles, including designing solutions, working with renewable energy systems, and maintaining pollution control. Familiarity with renewable energy systems and knowledge of renewal energy technologies are increasingly important to maintaining a successful sustainability career.
Interpersonal skills
Being able to communicate effectively is a must. Strong writing and speaking skills allow individuals to advocate for sustainability initiatives, explain concepts, and propose solutions to various audiences. Leadership skills support vision, decision-making, and the ability to inspire others toward a common goal and manage projects efficiently. Convincing government, businesses, and communities to take environmental actions stems from the proper advocacy skills. Understanding policy processes and building networks will help to advance sustainability goals.
Career exploration with Xello’s future-ready career series
Sustainability is just one of the many career paths that align with skills needed for future-ready careers. Technology advancements are ongoing, continually changing the work landscape and creating new opportunities for skilled professionals.
Educators can help shape students’ mindsets, prepare them to persevere through challenges, and adapt to change to succeed in these dynamic work environments. Xello’s framework and resources help teachers empower students to discover their career pathways and build the future-ready skills necessary for a rewarding career.
Learn more about how to guide students toward future-ready careers. Visit Xello’s Future-Ready Careers page to explore career pathways, industry trends, and valuable resources for educators and students.
