UVA Career Center

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. 

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 

1. Federal, State, and Local Government 

2. Utilities Companies 

3. Forestry Companies 

4. Real Estate Development Companies 

5. Market Research Companies 

6. Nonprofit and NGOs 

7. 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) 
 

Allison is a Strategy Analyst for the Global Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Program with The Nature Conservancy. Currently working with the Latin America region, Allison strives to assist in "securing rights to natural resources, strengthening leadership and capacity, participating in multi-stakeholder dialogue and decisions, and creating sustainable economic development opportunities." 

Major:  Spanish (Bachelor), Natural Resources and International Affairs (Masters) 
College:  University of Virginia, American University and United Nations University for Peace (Masters)