Looking to help the environment? Here is a quick guide for pursuing environmentalism and sustainability in college

Our environment and the ongoing climate crisis affect every aspect of our lives daily, and although there are steps being taken to resolve and lower the disastrous consequences of our lifestyles and our current social and industrial systems, there is still much more work to be done.
There has been a drastic rise in demand for people to pursue the protection and healing of the lands and resources that nurture and sustain us. It has been increasing and is stronger than ever.&nbsp;
If you are passionate about protecting the environment and the Earth and consider pursuing an education or career that centers the environment, this guide will be helpful for you. This guide will provide you with questions to reflect on, list sustainability programs and majors, as well as list possible career pathways and fields of work in sustainability and environmental justice. There will also be extra links and resources at the end of this article to help further your research.&nbsp;
Part 1: Questions, questions, and more questions&hellip;&nbsp;
What is your interest? What path or career interests you?&nbsp;
The nature of studying sustainability and focusing on the environment is multidisciplinary and intersectional, meaning there are many angles and perspectives to be considered when studying and taking action in regenerating, maintaining, and improving the quality of our lives and the lands that we inhabit. This also means that your interests and skills can intersect with your passion for the environment.&nbsp;
What are your skills? What are you good at? How can you use your skills to help?&nbsp;
For example, if you are skilled in art and love to create with your hands more than anything in the world, but also want to pursue a path that centers and honors environmental justice, you can still do both! You can study Environmental Art or Design, utilize nature in your art pieces, create art centering on environmental justice, generating conversations through your critical pieces, and much more.&nbsp;
It is up to you to decide what you like to do, study, and how you want to go about your focus on the environment.&nbsp;
What part/aspect of the environment do you want to help?
As explained above, the nature of environmental studies and programs are intersectional, multidisciplinary, and complex, and there are many areas that you can focus on.&nbsp;
For example, you may study Environmental Science and further your emphasis on soil and research agricultural practices that help regenerate soil rather than degrade. You may study Environmental Law and work as a lawyer to bring justice to groups of people affected by pollution from harmful industry practices.&nbsp;
You might even major in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies to research the ways that environmental issues and climate change affect those from marginalized and Black and Brown communities at harsher and higher rates, and help come up with solutions and organize to bring about justice.&nbsp;
This answer may not be so clear when you first start your college path and research, however, as you explore programs, classes, and even while you attend school, you will get closer to your answer.&nbsp;
Part 2: Environmental-focused majors and programs based on field of interest/academic discipline&nbsp;
With the rise in opportunities and options as well as the many angles available to tackle environmental concerns and the climate crisis, you can pursue almost any career path or major and build an environmental emphasis or focus.&nbsp;
Environmental science and STEM majors focusing on the environment are great and important to study, but they are definitely not the only paths that exist in regards to the environment. You can pretty much apply an environmental or sustainability focus on any path or major, and there are abundant universities offering various kinds of programs within all disciplines.&nbsp;
Below is a list of majors and programs that center the environment or have an environmental/sustainable focus. This list is by no means exhaustive but is meant to provide you with a basis of what is out there. The resources and links at the end of this article also have further information on majors and programs.&nbsp;
Natural and Applied Sciences with Environmental/Sustainability Focus: 
<ul>
<li>Agricultural Sciences&nbsp;</li>
<li>Agroecology</li>
<li>Atmospheric Sciences</li>
<li>Botany</li>
<li>Energy</li>
<li>Environmental Engineering</li>
<li>Environmental Marketing</li>
<li>Forestry</li>
<li>Herbalism</li>
<li>Horticulture</li>
<li>Marine Biology</li>
<li>Medicine</li>
<li>Plant Biology&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Business with Environmental/Sustainability Focus:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Environmental Economics</li>
<li>Environmental Science and Management</li>
<li>Sustainable Business&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Humanities with Environmental/Sustainability Focus:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Bioethics</li>
<li>Environmental Architecture</li>
<li>Environmental Art</li>
<li>Environmental Chemistry</li>
<li>Environmental Design</li>
<li>Fashion Design&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Social Sciences with Environmental/Sustainability Focus:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Communications</li>
<li>Critical Race and Ethnic Studies</li>
<li>Environmental Geography</li>
<li>Environmental Policies</li>
<li>Environmental Law</li>
<li>Environmental Sociology</li>
<li>Environmental Studies</li>
<li>Resource Management</li>
<li>Women and Gender Studies</li>
<li>Urban Sustainability&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Part 3: Careers and jobs with an environmental/sustainability focus&nbsp;
Below is a list of jobs and careers that you can have that can have an environmental focus or centers the environment/environmental justice. There will also be extra expansive career lists and resources for the end of this article.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Agriculture/Food Scientist</li>
<li>Architect</li>
<li>Artist</li>
<li>Biochemist</li>
<li>Biophysicist</li>
<li>Business Owner</li>
<li>Conservation Scientist/Researcher</li>
<li>Geographic Information Systems Specialist (GIS)</li>
<li>Park Ranger</li>
<li>Scientist/Researcher</li>
<li>Sustainability Engineer</li>
<li>Urban Planner&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Pursuing a career or education with focus on the environment and sustainability is an admirable and wise choice for your future. Not only will you help in creating solutions, work in rising fields, and find good paying jobs, but you will play an important role in securing positive and stable conditions for future generations to grow and thrive in.&nbsp;
Extra: Links to sustainability programs, schools offering programs, and more.&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://plexuss.com/college-majors">List of college majors</a></li>
<li><a href="https://plexuss.com/m/study-environmental-studies">Environmental studies major/field of study</a></li>
<li><a href="https://plexuss.com/m2/study-environmental-engineering">Environmental engineering major/field of study:&nbsp;</a></li>
<li><a href="https://plexuss.com/m/study-agriculture">Agriculture major/field of study</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.onlineeducation.com/features/environmental-science-guide">Guide to Environmental Science</a></li>
<li><a href="https://cnr.ncsu.edu/nes/2020/10/what-can-i-do-with-an-environmental-science-degree/">Careers with Environmental Science Degree</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.envpk.com/branches-of-environmental-science-interdisciplinary-field/">Branches of Environmental Science</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/5-major-fields-of-environmental-science.html#:~:text=There%20%20are%20five%20major%20fields,global%20warming%20and%20its%20effect">5 Major Fields of Environmental Science</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.sustainabilitydegrees.com/degrees/">Types of sustainability degrees</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/environmental-career-options-0417">Careers that help the environment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/environmentalism-jobs">Environmental Careers</a></li>
</ul>

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