Emerging Degrees In Sustainability

As millions of Americans head back to college in the spring, one career trajectory looks poised to hire more graduates than ever upon their completion of a degree: the green initiative.  Eco-consciousness is turning into a huge industry, with billions of dollars committed to new types of energy, environmental capabilities, conservation, and other methods of sustainability.  What college degrees offer a future in a world minimizing its carbon footprint?

Organic Farm Science

Only a few years ago, organic foods were a sideshow in the grocery store, a way for health nuts to distinguish themselves.  Today, it’s a huge part of the food industry.  80% of parents report purchasing at least one type of organic food for their family in an attempt to minimize the amount of additives, hormones, and preservatives in their diet.  The farm science of organic food growth is much more different than the farm science of traditional crops.  Students in college will need to learn how to create viable alternatives to the industrial methods of farming, such as natural pest killers instead of pesticides.  Upon completion of the degree, students can look for employment in food production industries, restaurants, and even laboratories that try to put new organic recipes on our table.

Solar Physics

It may surprise you to learn that one of the largest polluters in the world has also invested the most amount of money in solar energy technology.  Though China is responsible for smog that poses a health threat to hundreds of millions citizens in massive cities, they’ve also began to purchase thousands of square miles of solar grids to get their nation off of fossil fuels.  Many other developed nations are following suit: today, Germany gets 5 terawatts of power from solar grids.  Students in college need to study the physics of photon capture in order to be able to participate in the solar revolution, understanding how the energy from sun beams can be converted into electricity.

Green MBA

Working in renewable energy can be demanding, but leading the charge appeals to many people with an eye for improving on the status quo.  For those who want to be at the forefront of the fight for Mother Nature, a green MBA lets them pursue management-level courses with a particular focus on ecological sustainability.  These college classes make a student understand more than just renewable energy: courses in comparative economics of fuels, marketing eco-friendly brands, and managing a team of green warriors all come standard.

Hydroengineering

Many issues face human societies on our planet, but one of the most important in the near future will be access to clean water.  The United Nations suggests nearly three quarters of a billion people currently on Earth have no source of clean water.  How can you improve the availability of water?  Hydroengineering is a college degree that focuses on how to use nature’s water systems to provide water to millions of thirsty people.  Students learn how to build up the chemical process that separates salt from sea water to be clean and ready for consumption, or how to build a dam that can turn a river into a life-giving oasis.

Rare Earth Recycling

In our cell phones, our computers, our cars, and our televisions, rare earth metals dominate our ability to project power in the palm of our hands.  Yet their name is apt: it’s extremely difficult to get rare earth metals, and extremely costly on the environment.  Students who study metal and materials recovery will be able to minimize the number of new mines developed, in addition to eliminating landfill space by helping to coordinate recycling plans for old phones and appliances.

Author Bio
William Stevens is a writer who creates informative articles in relation to technology. In this article, he describes the growth of green job opportunities and aims to encourage further study with a Maryhurst University Masters in Sustainable Management.