Engineering and the Health of the Planet

Are there any volunteer opportunities for urban planners?

Perhaps not surprisingly, many urban planning professionals start their journey in the field through volunteer work. Nonprofits like Habitat for Humanity provide excellent opportunities to improve the lives of real people while gaining valuable hands-on experience. The American Planning Association is always looking for volunteers to sit on committees and task forces for various initiatives. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) compiles a list of volunteer programs related to community development and enrichment.

Are there any scholarships for urban planning?

There are many scholarships available from nonprofits, international organizations and private donors that support sustainability education and career development. The U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship search tool is a great place to start exploring your options.

What are some helpful resources for urban and regional planners?

Several professional organizations set the standards for urban planning, both in North America and abroad. The American Planning Association and the Canadian Institute of Planners are two membership organizations that serve to connect planning professionals to one another for collaboration and educational opportunities. For the latest urban planning news, Next City is a nonprofit online publication that highlights innovative city planning solutions across the U.S.

How does the field of engineering connect to social justice?

Engineering expertise is essential to solving many of the world’s most urgent environmental and social justice challenges: combating poverty and hunger, supplying clean water, moving to cleaner energy sources, addressing climate change, etc.

What are some interesting meaningful social justice-related careers?

Careers and career fields that connect to social justice include urban planning, health care and population health, communications, politics, law, education, social services, nonprofit management, environmental science and, of course, engineering. For more information on some of these jobs, see our blog post The 8 Top Social Justice Careers [+How to Get Them]

What are some ways to get involved with social justice?

Ways to support initiatives that connect to social justice in our everyday lives include educating ourselves about social justice issues we’re most passionate about; connecting with local organizations and advocacy groups; volunteering; donating to causes; investing responsibly; examining our own beliefs and habits, and being open to personal growth.

Which master’s degree in sustainability should I pursue?

Aside from practical considerations of costs, prior education and scheduling, your choice of degree program should align with your interests and the fields that you want to work in. Beyond gaining important knowledge and establishing a network of connections, you should utilize your time in a master’s degree program to develop a final project or dissertation that serves as your personal statement.

What’s the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?

Sustainable development is the process of accounting for the sustainability goals and needs during growth and development. According to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda, the three underlying pillars of sustainable development are: Social inclusion to ensure that all cultures have equal access and opportunity, environmental sustainability to regenerate the natural environment and economic prosperity to eliminate poverty and hunger.

Are there certificates in sustainability studies?

Yes, many industries are now offering sustainability certifications in areas relating to energy, water, chemicals, health and wellness and more. General sustainability certifications, such as those from the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) and The Association of Climate Change Officers (ACCO) are also available.

What is sustainability?

The United Nations defines sustainability as: “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The MESH program ascribes to Julian Agyeman’s notion of “just” sustainability, which is “the need to ensure a better quality of life for all, now and into the future, in a just and equitable manner, whilst living within the limits of supporting ecosystems.”

Are there helpful resources for social justice work?

If you’d like to research more about social justice work and some of the many organizations that support it, we recommend visiting the following sites:

• Center for Employment Opportunities
• Human Rights Campaign
• Southern Poverty Law Center
• Anti-Defamation League
• Change.org
• Amnesty International
• United Way
• Habitat for Humanity
• Sierra Club
• Engineering, Social Justice and Peace

What is the typical salary for social justice careers?

Careers in social justice pay as well as in any other area, especially as more industries realize the importance of healthy and equitable societies. This means there is more likely to be greater opportunities for social justice work.

Is social justice work difficult?

Work in social justice is no more or less difficult than most careers. However, working with disadvantaged or impoverished communities, or assisting victims of disaster, abuse and conflict can be mentally and emotionally taxing.

What are some ways to get involved with social justice?

Ways to support initiatives that connect to social justice in our everyday lives include educating ourselves about social justice issues we’re most passionate about; connecting with local organizations and advocacy groups; volunteering; donating to causes; investing responsibly; examining our own beliefs and habits, and being open to personal growth.

How is sustainability different from environmentalism?

While environmentalism is mostly — if not entirely — concerned with the natural world, sustainability is the additional consideration of human matters, such as equitable economic development, social justice and public health.

How can I see if a company is trying to be sustainable?

Go a little further than reading their mission statement or values page and do additional research. You can see if a company is listed as Certified B Corp or is certified by a nonprofit organization like Green Seal.

Where can I learn more about careers in sustainability?

Beyond using the sustainability keyword on major job sites, we recommend reviewing some of the resources listed below for further information — notably the Green Jobs Network, Idealist and UN Jobs.

What is the work environment for environmental engineers?

The actual work environment for an environmental engineer will vary depending on the area of specialization. While there will always be office and desk work, environmental engineers will need to be on-site for projects, which can range from the inner-city to remote locations. There will also be expectations of travel for conferences, presentations and consulting — even with the increased use of virtual and remote communication.

What skills are needed for environmental engineering?

Beyond the basic knowledge and competencies of science and engineering and the soft skills required for communication and collaboration, a good environmental engineer should master the following skills:

• Familiarity with local and national environmental regulations
• Critical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Mastery of common software for design, data collection and reporting

Are there specializations in environmental engineering?

Yes, in fact there are almost too many to list. Even specializing in water projects has further specializations in coastal engineering, ocean engineering, wastewater engineering and groundwater hydrology. Consider the environmental areas that you’re most passionate about and explore the different options that are available.

What degree does an environmental engineer need?

An environmental engineer needs at least a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Engineering to start working in environmental engineering.  A master’s degree in a specific specialization may be required for certain positions or for advancing to managerial or executive positions. Doctorates are most useful for continuing research and teaching positions.

Can I include sustainable practices within my own career?

Yes! Whether you’re self-employed or working within an established organization, it’s never too late to start employing more sustainable practices that can benefit the environment and your local community.

What’s the difference between green jobs and sustainable jobs?

Green jobs are entirely about environmental impact and effects on the natural world, whereas sustainable jobs take a much larger approach about how we can affect positive impacts on the economy, justice, government and culture.

How does sustainability apply to jobs?

Sustainability in jobs is not just “green” concerns, but engages all aspects of solving societal issues and innovating solutions. According to McKinsey & Company it “takes into account every dimension of the business environment: social, economic, and cultural, as well as natural.”

What is sustainability?

You’re likely to find many varying definitions of sustainability. At MESH we align with Dr. Julian Agyeman’s definition of “just sustainability,” which is “the need to ensure a better quality of life for all, now and into the future, in a just and equitable manner, whilst living within the limits of supporting ecosystems.”

It’s important to understand that sustainability doesn’t mean that things are sustainable —– but rather sustainable practices must work toward a future that is more equitable, healthy, clean and natural.