Environment, Sustainability & Energy

There are a variety of career opportunities in the areas of environment, sustainability and energy. With so many options and industries to choose from, Yale students are encouraged to get involved with coursework and student organizations within their particular area of interest. They can also look for internships to allow them to immerse themselves within the industry over the summer. OCS advisors are available to meet with you individually to discuss the many options. Yale’s Office of Career Strategy participates in the All Ivy Environmental & Sustainability Career Fair which is open to all Yale students served by OCS.  This event occurs every spring at Columbia University and allows our students to engage with recruiters across these industries. Yale College juniors and seniors can use the Professional Development Reimbursement Program to cover their expenses.

 

Environment

Opportunities for a career focusing on the environment are available in the for profit, nonprofit and public sector.

  • Environmental jobs can range from private sector jobs with solar companies, environmental consulting firms, and engineering firms.
  • Nonprofit environmental activists promote environmental causes and work to influence public policy. Careers could involve urban planning, community organizing and communications with various shareholders. An environmental advocate could lobby for environmental legislation, organize protests and events, fundraise for an environmental organization, and work on press releases for the media.
  • Local, state and federal government careers provide a wide variety of positions for those interested in protecting ecosystems. Governments and public universities hire conservation scientists, environmental engineers, and geologists to conduct research, design projects, and shape policy.

Sustainability 

A career in sustainability focuses on reducing environmental and health-related risks while increasing organizational growth. Opportunities exist across sectors and industries.

  • Many for profit companies now consider sustainability to be a major consideration in their business model and therefore have sustainability strategies that need to be developed and implemented. They also hire engineers who use sustainable practices for reducing waste.  
  • There are scientists and researchers such as conservation scientists, microbiologists and atmospheric researchers.
  • Sustainable urban designers and builders have an increasing need as city governments recognize the importance of green architecture and reducing pollution.
  • Sustainable careers can be a part of a nonprofit community outreach team, managing direct services and overseeing educational programs for underserved populations.
  • There are sustainability opportunities in the legal profession, journalism, and policy.

Energy 

The energy industry includes electricity, natural gas, oil, and renewable energy technology. Many career opportunities exist within this industry and it reaches across all three sectors.

  • There are opportunities in engineering and business to join private sector employers, especially large oil or gas companies.
  • The nonprofit and government sectors allow for career paths in policy research or policy making.
  • The U.S. Department of Energy offers positions for a variety of job functions from research, engineering, marketing and finance.
  • Energy engineering focuses on the development and maintenance of technologies which are related to energy efficiency, environmental compliance, and alternative energy technologies. Specialties include:  drilling and petroleum, nuclear power, solar and/or wind energy, or  electrical systems.
  • Energy Economists analyze how new energy technologies entering the market will affect supply and demand in the energy industry. Looking at factors such as the methods and efficiency of energy production, distribution and consumption, economists play an important role in predicting and shaping future energy trends.

Sidebar

Yale Club of Ohio Fellowship ($4,000) Deadline is April 2nd

For Yale College students interested in a nonprofit summer internship in Ohio or who are from Ohio please see below:

Yale Club of Dayton’s Ohio Summer Funded Internship – 2 summer awards for $4,000 each to a First Year, Sophomore,  …

By Robyn Acampora
Robyn Acampora Director of Strategic Initiatives and Public Service Careers
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Storytelling & Research College Program at Midstory Media Thinkhub

Calling the next generation of creatives and thinkers to shape the Midwest story.

Midstory’s 2023 remote summer ThinkLab internship program is for the next generation of thinkers who believe in shaping the post-industrial story through a multidisciplinary framework. Students work …

By Kelly McSergi
Kelly McSergi Assistant Director of Employer Relations
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Summer Opportunities with CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP)

Attention all Data-driven and Analytical Professionals: Do you have a passion for research and the environment? Are you looking for truly meaningful work? If so, DEEP has some outstanding opportunities for you!

The CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection …

By Kelly McSergi
Kelly McSergi Assistant Director of Employer Relations
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NEFF seeking visionary forest and climate professionals

New England Forestry Foundation is hiring! NEFF stands at a pivotal moment for advancing cutting-edge, forest-based climate solutions. The USDA awarded NEFF $30 million to lead the New England Climate-Smart Commodities Partnership project, and through this program, we are seeking visionary …

By Kelly McSergi
Kelly McSergi Assistant Director of Employer Relations
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Planetary Solutions in Clean Energy: Summer Internship and Fellowship Program

Do you believe clean energy can advance racial, economic, and environmental justice? We do too!

The Yale Center for Business and the Environment is thrilled to begin accepting applications for the next cohort of our Planetary Solutions in Clean Energy …

By Kelly McSergi
Kelly McSergi Assistant Director of Employer Relations
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Career Resources

Forage (Virtual Work Experiences)

Forage offers virtual work experiences, which are online programs built and endorsed by leading companies. Each virtual work experience contains …

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Community Resources

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Explore Job Market InsightsIn partnership withLightcast logo

Search continually updated U.S. market trends to learn about job types (job functions), growth trends, and desired skills. The results will include general information about each job (functional area), employment trends from the past two years and projections for the next 10 years, employers that have that role, desired education level, skills for the position, and more!

TWO WAYS TO SEARCH:

  1. Find Career Data by Selecting Keywords: Enter keywords of various job titles and choose a state or search nationwide to learn more about that job.
  2. Filter by Industry and Occupation: Search by industry and choose among popular occupations/job titles within that industry.

First, choose an industry of interest, then filter for occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Type in a keyword to select a relevant occupation. (If you'd like to see data for a specific location only, filter by state.)

Community Spotlights

Michael A. Fotos, III, Ph.D.

  • Director of Undergraduate Studies Yale Environmental Studies Major
Meet Michael >

Ramona Liberoff (MA ’93, Art History)

Humanities, Masters
  • Senior Impact Investing Advisor
Meet Ramona >
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YC Career Outcomes

The Office of Career Strategy collects information about Yale College graduates. This tool allows users to search outcomes by year and major. Please visit Statistics & Reports for detailed reports.

Helpful Tips on using the Interactive Tool:

  • There is no Enter or Submit Button – Results will appear automatically with your selections
  • Choose ‘All Years’ or ‘All Majors’- For results across years and majors or check one for more granular results.
    • Default results will show the most recent Class Year.
    • Uncheck the selected major(s) to reset your search.
    • To ensure student confidentiality, results are only reported in the aggregate and more granular data is not available through this public tool.
    • The tool will return results with at least five responses. If you require additional information contact the Office of Career Strategy
    • First Destination Summaries are based on the knowledge rate of graduate outcomes six months after graduation under the guidelines set by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Most Recent Class Overview

Knowledge Rate Success Rate Mean Starting Salary Top Five Industries
86.8% of those graduating between July 1, 2020-June 30, 2021 96.9% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation $76,359 among graduates employed in the United States. Financial Services, Education, Technology, Consulting, and Healthcare

 

  • First Destination
  • Top Employers
  • Employment Industry and Function
  • Size of the Organization
  • Starting Salary
  • Time of Year Offer Received
  • Internships, Research, and Study Abroad Experiences
  • First Destination Locations
  • Top Universities
  • Advanced Degrees Pursued

First Destination

First Destination refers to the postgraduate plans of Yale College graduates six months after graduation. The pursuits of Yale graduates include employment, graduate school, independent research, military service, and more.

CONTACT & LOCATION

Phone
(203) 432-0803
Email
careerstrategy@yale.edu
Website
http://ocs.yale.edu
Address

55 Whitney Avenue, 3rd Fl.
New Haven, CT 06510

SERVICE HOURS

Academic Year Summer Hours
M 8:30am - 5pm 8:30am - 4:30pm
T 8:30am - 5pm 8:30am - 4:30pm
W 8:30am - 5pm 8:30am - 4:30pm
TH 8:30am - 5pm 8:30am - 4:30pm
F 8:30am - 5pm 8:30am - 4:30pm

The office is closed weekends, holidays, and recess days.