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 BiologySustainability 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 SemesterCredits
SUS 101 Intro to Sustainability (Core – Natural Science)4
Core – FYE 101 First Year Experience: Fall3
ENSP 101 Environmental Problems3
ENSP 102 Environmental Science Lab1
MATH 213 Stat Concepts & Methods (Core – Quantitative Reasoning)4
 15
Spring SemesterCredits
Core – FYE 102 First Year Experience: Spring3
BIOL 201 Evolution and Ecology4
ENSP 110 Environmental Science II3
Core – English Composition3-4
 13-14

Year Two

Fall SemesterCredits
SUS 201 Soph. Sustainability Seminar3
SUS 301 Sustainable Energy Systems3
Core – Humanities3
Core – Global Language 1013-4
Core – Developing Informed Viewpoints3
 15-16
Spring SemesterCredits
SUS 302 Sustainable Watershed Mgt.4
SUS 303 Sustainable Food Systems3
ENSP 103 or ENSP 3004
Core – Ethics3
Core – Global Language 1023-4
 17-18

Year Three

Fall SemesterCredits
SUS 310 Experiential Rotation in Sust.4
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 13-4
Core – Creative & Performing Arts3
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
 16-17
Spring SemesterCredits
BIOL 411 or ENSP 4073
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 23-4
Core – Social & Behavioral Science3
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
 15-16

Year Four

Fall SemesterCredits
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 33-4
Core – Holistic Wellness3
SUS XXX Sustainability Capstone13
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
 15-16
Spring SemesterCredits
SUS XXX Sustainability Capstone13
SUS Sustainability Focus Area Elective 43-4
Core – HOOD 4002
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
Elective/Minor/Certificate Course3
 14-15
Total Credits124

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?