Mapping your Sustainability Studies Major
Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your sustainability studies major.
The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a sustainability studies major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.
Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic advisor.
Contact
Student Success 301-696-3860 | Registrar 301-696-3620 | Center for Career Development & Experiential Education 301-696-3583 |
Department of Biology | Sustainability Studies (B.A.) |
Please note that sample four year plans are examples. Students, in consultation with their advisor, will discuss an individualized degree plan reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Actual sequences will vary based on course availability, need for developmental coursework, and student preference. For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog at .
Year One
Fall Semester | Credits |
---|---|
SUS 101 Intro to Sustainability (Core – Natural Science) | 4 |
Core – FYE 101 First Year Experience: Fall | 3 |
ENSP 101 Environmental Problems | 3 |
ENSP 102 Environmental Science Lab | 1 |
MATH 213 Stat Concepts & Methods (Core – Quantitative Reasoning) | 4 |
15 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
---|---|
Core – FYE 102 First Year Experience: Spring | 3 |
BIOL 201 Evolution and Ecology | 4 |
ENSP 110 Environmental Science II | 3 |
Core – English Composition | 3-4 |
13-14 |
Year Two
Fall Semester | Credits |
---|---|
SUS 201 Soph. Sustainability Seminar | 3 |
SUS 301 Sustainable Energy Systems | 3 |
Core – Humanities | 3 |
Core – Global Language 101 | 3-4 |
Core – Developing Informed Viewpoints | 3 |
15-16 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
---|---|
SUS 302 Sustainable Watershed Mgt. | 4 |
SUS 303 Sustainable Food Systems | 3 |
ENSP 103 or ENSP 300 | 4 |
Core – Ethics | 3 |
Core – Global Language 102 | 3-4 |
17-18 |
Year Three
Fall Semester | Credits |
---|---|
SUS 310 Experiential Rotation in Sust. | 4 |
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 1 | 3-4 |
Core – Creative & Performing Arts | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
16-17 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
---|---|
BIOL 411 or ENSP 407 | 3 |
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 2 | 3-4 |
Core – Social & Behavioral Science | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
15-16 |
Year Four
Fall Semester | Credits |
---|---|
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 3 | 3-4 |
Core – Holistic Wellness | 3 |
SUS XXX Sustainability Capstone1 | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
15-16 |
Spring Semester | Credits |
---|---|
SUS XXX Sustainability Capstone1 | 3 |
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 4 | 3-4 |
Core – HOOD 400 | 2 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course | 3 |
14-15 |
Total Credits | 124 |
---|
1The Sustainability Capstone can be satisfied by SUS 375 (Independent Study), SUS 399 (Internship), or SUS 499 (Honors Thesis) which is taken in both semesters of Year Four.
Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence
The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.
Cultivate
Explore your Major and Related Occupations
Year 1
- Explore the major through the Hood College sustainability studies website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
- Visit the and the websites.
- Meet with your academic advisor and biology faculty members to discuss career plans.
- Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.
Year 2
- Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and consider locations for a global studies related internship.
- Explore club and engagement opportunities that are related to sustainability (ex. HEAT).
- If eligible, investigate federal work study positions in a department of career related interest.
Year 3
- Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either global studies or employment related.
- Use SUS 399 to gain insight into finding an Internship, to gain work experience and college credit.
- Meet with staff in Career Services to identify potential internships, consider competitive national experiences.
Year 4
- Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either accounting or employment related. Be sure to include your research skills.
- If you have not already completed, take SUS 399, or a second internship experience, to gain additional work experience and/or college credit.
Engage
Locally and Globally
Year 1
- Explore club and engagement opportunities related to sustainability.
Year 2
- Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page.
- Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the sustainability field.
Year 3
- Attend Chamber of Commerce industry related events. Speak with a Career Center counselor to learn more about these.
- Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework.
- Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the sustainability field.
- Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the sustainability field.
Year 4
- Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner.
- Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the field of sustainability.
Prepare
For Post-Graduation Success
Year 1
- Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about local organizations that support sustainability.
Year 2
- Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries.
- Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus.
- If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the job field.
- Consider taking an exploratory micro-internship in your field of interest.
Year 3
- Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need interns.
- Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
- Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.
- Attend conferences of professional associations.
Year 4
- Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may be recruiting new hires.
- Attend conferences of professional associations.
- Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
- Meet regularly with your academic advisor
- Work with tutors at the Writing Center
- Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships
Learn more about careers in sustainability studies:
- Remediation
- Liability
- Audit
- Compliance
- Sustainability
- Federal government:
- Army Corps of Engineers
- Department of Interior: Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Land Management
- Federal government continued:
- Department of Agriculture
- Natural Resource Conservation Service
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Department of Defense
- Agricultural consulting firms
- Environmental consulting firms
Explore more career opportunities in sustainability studies:
Are you ready to say Hello?
Choose a Pathway
Information will vary based on program level. Select a path to find the information you're looking for!