
Do you want to address complex challenges affecting our world today? Consider a career in sustainability where you can work to find solutions to global environmental challenges like climate change, water and energy futures, and environmental justice. There are myriad ways that your passions can be channeled into meaningful work on behalf of the environment—through government, private industry, nonprofit work, NGOs, and more! Use these resources to explore industries, find rewarding opportunities, and connect with alumni and employers.
Schedule a Sustainability Appointment*
*Select Industry Appointments then Sustainability
Drop-in Advising Hours:
Wednesdays, 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Clemons Library (2nd floor)*
*Drop-ins only occur when classes are in session
Job Search Timeline
Hiring timelines for jobs and internships vary by industry, so it’s important to get to know the timeline for your target industry. In general, large organizations or those with more competitive opportunities will hire earlier in the academic year. Know that most nonprofit and public sector organizations hire internship and full-time opportunities based on immediate need. Some positions may become available in late spring/early summer, so you should continue to look for opportunities throughout the academic year and beyond. See the chart below for some examples of recruiting timelines and target industries, but again, note that these are general guidelines. While it's important to start early and be aware of deadlines, your job search will and should follow its own path.
(January - April) 4-5 months in advance
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Federal, State, and Local Government
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Utilities Companies
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Forestry Companies
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Real Estate Development Companies
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Market Research Companies
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Nonprofit and NGOs
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Land Trust Organizations
*Sustainability opportunities within the consulting industry at large firms will generally follow the consulting recruitment timeline (June-October | 8-12 months in advance)
Job Types
Related Student Organizations
Notable Community Achievements
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Where do UVA alumni work?
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US Environmental Protection Agency
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ICF
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The Nature Conservancy
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US Department of Energy
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Apex Clean Energy
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Green jobs “rose from 9.6% in 2015 to 13.3% so far in 2022 (a growth rate of 38.5%)” according to LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report 2022.
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There are over 130 sustainability-related courses and over 300 faculty involved in sustainability related research at UVA.
Have You Heard About...
Sustainability Professions
Sustainability News
Alumni Spotlight: Sustainability Associate at PwC
Article by Brooke Howe, UVA '25
Lauren’s Time at UVA

Careers in Sustainability Consulting: Alumni Spotlight
Have you ever thought about having a career in consulting? How about sustainability?

Alumni Spotlight: Climate Adaptation at The Nature Conservancy
Humna’s Time at UVA
Humna Sharif (she/her) (College ‘18, Yale ‘21) currently works as the Resilient Coasts Climate Adaptation Manager at The Nature Conservancy’s Maryland and DC Chapter. Humna graduated from UVA in 2018 with a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science and Environm
Meet The Sustainability Community Team

