The Best Degrees for Careers in Climate Change and Sustainability

In a report from the International Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), released August 8, 2019, the United Nations warns that climate change threatens the world's food supply. The report, prepared by 107 leading scientists from 52 countries across the world—over half of which are categorized as developing nations—assessed over 7,000 academic papers and received almost 29,000 comments from expert reviewers. With a predominant focus on desertification, land degradation, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems, the IPCC findings have inspired headlines imploring change to the global agricultural system, and to reduce the amount of meat we consume. Of course, that's not all we can do.

In April, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its Fastest-Growing Occupations report, with a number of careers in climate change and sustainability topping the list. If you're thinking about pursuing any level of higher education—be it an associate's degree, bachelor's degree, graduate degree, or doctorate—and you're passionate about saving the planet, consider preparing for one of the following career paths.

Solar Photovoltaic Installer

• Average job growth rate: 105%
• 2018 median annual pay: $42,680
• Their environmental impact: Promote energy efficiency and protect our natural resources through renewable energy.
• Degree type: High school diploma or equivalent; hands-on experience, online training courses
• Related coursework: Basic safety, construction, electricity, installation techniques
• Certifications: The Electronics Technicians Association International (ETA), North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners; Roof Integrated Solar Energy (RISE) Inc
• Skills required: Communication skills, detail-oriented, mechanical skills, physical stamina, physical strength
• Employers to consider: Simpleray, Mortenson, PosiGen
• Required reading:
  • Stepping Into the Sun: A Mission to Bring Solar Energy to Communities of Color
  • United States Surpasses 2 Million Solar Installations
  • How Georgia Became A Surprising Bright Spot In The U.S. Solar Industry

Wind Turbine Technician

• Average job growth rate: 96%
• 2018 median annual pay: $54,370
• Their environmental impact : Wind turbine technicians play a critical role in sustainable and renewable energy.
• Degree type(s): Technical schools or community college; certifications in wind energy technology; Associate's degree
• Related coursework: Rescue, safety, first aid, and CPR training; Electrical maintenance; Hydraulic maintenance; Braking systems; Mechanical systems, including blade inspection and maintenance; Computers and programmable logic control systems
• Certifications: Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP)
• Skills required: Communication skills, detail oriented, mechanical skills, physical strength, troubleshooting
• Best state for this career: Texas
• Employers to consider: Vestas, Sky Climber, Siemens, GE Renewable Energy
• Required reading:
  • How Does Wind Energy Work?
  • Wind Energy Facts at a Glance

Genetic Counselor

• Average job growth rate: 29%
• 2018 median annual pay: $80,370
• Their environmental impact: Professionals in genetic counseling can help promote understanding of how climate change affects our genetic diversity.
• Degree type: Master's in Genetic Counseling or Genetics
• Related coursework: Public health, epidemiology, psychology, and developmental biology
• Credentialing: American Board of Genetic Counseling
• Employer to consider: Providence Health & Services
• Required reading:
  • Climate Change Will Hit Genetic Diversity
  • How to Become a Cancer Genetic Counselor

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

• Average job growth rate: 19%
• 2018 median annual pay: $64,430
• Their environmental impact: Geographic information systems professionals promote education through environmental studies showing how the earth's natural resources have changed.
• Degree types: Bachelor's degree in Cartography, Geography, Geomatics, Surveying, Engineering, Forestry, or Computer Science; Master's in Geographic Information Systems
• Related coursework: Computer programming, engineering, math, GIS technology, surveying, geography
• Credentialing: American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation
• Skills required: Computer skills, critical-thinking, decisionmaking, detail-oriented, problem-solving
• Employers to consider: CIA, H2M Group, McKim & Creed
• Further reading:
  • 5 Skills You'll Master With a Geographic Information Systems Degree
  • 15 High-Paying Jobs for People Who Love to Be Outside
  • How these stunning maps revealed the moon’s secrets

Dietitians and Nutritionists

• Average job growth rate: 15%
• 2018 median annual pay: $60,370
• Their environmental impact: Dietitians and nutritionist have the unique ability to influence our decisions about food—and how those choices may impact our natural resources (like the land and water used to produce animal products).
• Degree types: Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Nutrition, Public Health, Food and Nutrition or Dietetics; Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, Master of Science in Nutrition, Master's in Integrative and Functional Nutrition
• Related coursework: Food service systems management, nutrition, psychology, chemistry, and biology
• Credentialing: Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Certified Nutrition Specialist (CNS)
• Skills required: Analytical, listening, organizational, compassion, problem-solving, speaking
• Further reading:
  • What Can You Do With a Master of Science in Nutrition?
  • The Top 10 Reasons to Get a Master's Degree in Nutrition
  • The Top 10 Reasons to Get a Master of Science in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology
  • The 3 Best Online Programs for a Master's in Integrative and Functional Nutrition

Urban and Regional Planners

• Average job growth rate: 13%
• 2018 median annual pay: $73,050
• Their environmental impact: Urban planners help communities accommodate population growth, and may work with government agencies to support sustainable development, environmental policy, and environmental law.
• Degree type: Bachelor's in Economics, Geography, Political Science, or Environmental Design; Master's in Urban Planning
• Related coursework: agriculture, urban revitalization, public policy
• Credentialing: Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)
• Skills needed: Critical thinking, communication, outdoor skills, physical stamina, problem-solving
• Best state for careers in urban planning: California
• Required reading:
  • Are our cities effectively planning for climate change?
  • Fighting extreme heat in cities with urban design

Geoscientists

• Average job growth rate: 14%
• 2018 median annual pay: $91,130
• Their environmental impact: Geoscientists study the earth's composition, to learn about its past, present, and future—playing a role in conservation through their research and discovery of environmental issues.
• Degree type: Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Geosciences, Environmental Science, or Engineering
• Related coursework: Mineralogy, petrology, structural geology, physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computer science
• Credentialing: National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG)
• Skills needed: critical thinking, communication, outdoor skills, physical stamina, problem-solving
• Employers to consider: Weston Solutions, Fugro
• Required reading:
  • Geoscientists discover mechanisms controlling Greenland ice sheet collapse
  • Time's up, CO2

Atmospheric and Space Scientists

• Average job growth rate: 12%
• 2018 median annual pay: $90,110
• Their environmental impact: Devoting their careers to environmental science, these professionals study the weather and climate and how conditions like air pollution affect human activity and the earth in general.
• Degree type: Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Atmospheric Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Geology or Engineering; Ph.D. in Atmospheric Science
• Related coursework: Computer programming, oceanography, geophysics
• Skills needed: Analytical, critical thinking, communication
• Employers to consider: University of Colorado Boulder, I.M. Systems Group (IMSG)
• Required reading: Scientists are using the cold of outer space to rethink air conditioning

Environmental Scientists

• Average job growth rate: 11%
• 2018 median annual pay: $71,130
• Their environmental impact: These scientists protect the environment and human health; studying air pollution, waste management, helping to clean up polluted areas, and advise policymakers and government agencies on environmental law.
• Degree type: Bachelor's in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geosciences, or Engineering. Master's in Geographic Information Systems
• Credentialing: The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), Ecological Society of America
• Skills needed: Analytical, communication, interpersonal, problem-solving, discipline
• Employers to consider: HDR, Kleinfelder, Inc.
• Required reading: Smithsonian Scientists Are Using Ginko Leaves to Study Climate Change—And They Need Your Help

Hydrologists

• Average job growth rate: 10%
• 2018 median annual pay: $79,370
• Their environmental impact: Hydrologists study the worlds most precious of natural resources, solving problems related to water quality and availability.
• Degree type: Bachelor's and Master's degree in Hydrology, Geosciences, Engineering, or Earth Science; PhD
• Related coursework: Math, statistics, computer science, economics, environmental law, government policy
• Skills needed: Analytical, communication, critical thinking interpersonal, physical stamina
• Employers to consider: U.S. Department of the Interior, Workplace Alaska
• Required reading: The Future of Groundwater in Sub-Saharan Africa

Agricultural and Food Scientists

• Average job growth rate: 7%
• 2018 median annual pay: $64,020
• Their environmental impact: Those devoted to agriculture and good science can improve the safety of agricultural products and help reduce levels of air pollution through promoting sustainable farming and food practices.
• Degree type: Bachelor's in Agricultural Science; Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine
• Related coursework: Biology, chemistry, botany, plant conservation, food chemistry, food analysis, food microbiology, food engineering, food-processing operations, plant pathology, soil chemistry, entomology (the study of insects), plant physiology, and biochemistry, genetics, animal reproduction, agronomy, biotechnology, statistical analysis and experiment design
• Credentialing: American Society of Agronomy, American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists(ARPAS), Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), Soil Science Society of America (SSSA)
• Skills needed: Analytical, communication, critical thinking, interpersonal, physical stamina
• Employers to consider: Thermo Fisher Scientific, NYU Langone Health
• Required reading: Soil Microbes Have the Power to Reverse Climate Change

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