Career Coaching and Pathways

Are you ready for the next step in your career?

The global employment market for sustainability professionals is booming and there is a wide variety of jobs at all levels and in all sectors, including business, government, and civil society organizations. Areas of focus range from climate and energy, to food and agriculture, to water and health. These jobs are in large and small organizations located in cities and rural areas worldwide. All Virginia Tech students and alumni have access to tools including Careershift, GoinGlobal, and USA Careers.

See where MNR alums are working

Visit our blog to read about our alums in the field. 

Career Advising

All graduate students have access to personal career coaching as soon as you are accepted by the Graduate School, so you don’t have to wait until classes begin to start working with our career advisors and continue to use their services up to two years post graduation.

Even if you have a solid grasp of your values and skills, career coaching can help you:

• Think strategically about your key accomplishments
• See how you can apply your previous experience and expertise in a new field
• Focus your energy on the best next steps
• Develop a career path that leads to the work you really want to do 
• Evaluate and expand your professional network

Top Competencies

As the sustainability field matures, employers look for skills beyond technical expertise. The issues and challenges are complex, global, and interconnected. People working on solving these challenges need to have the ability and the training to think strategically and systemically, and work collaboratively across many disciplines. Do you have these skills?

• Engaging with stakeholders
• Planning and developing strategy
• Influence and persuasion
• Conducting research and analysis
• Project management
• Measuring and reporting impact

Salaries and the Value of a Master’s Degree

According to industry reports, 80% of professionals in the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHS&S) field earn base salaries exceeding $100,000. From 2020 to 2023, the average salary in this sector increased by 27%. For those with more than three years of experience, holding a master’s degree boosts average annual earnings by over $10,000. Over time, the value of a master’s degree compounds significantly—adding up to more than $250,000 across a 30-year career. 

Learn more on our blog: 

• Climate Professional: a Career Path for Sustainability Leaders
• Are Green Jobs Looking Even Greener?
• Bright Career Prospects for Global Sustainability Professionals
• Leadership at Work: XMNR Alumni Jobs