Environmental Affairs & Sustainability
This is an interdisciplinary subgroup for those who wish to combine their interests in improving the environment and educating the public regarding complex issues that will affect the environment for years to come. Accordingly, this subgroup has resources for individuals who want to learn about internships and jobs that promote efficient usage of resources and aim to solve complex environmental issues related to transportation and pollution, energy conservation and use, reforestation, waste reduction, recycling, as well as green building and design. Examples of careers that fall into this community can include ESG Analysis, Sustainability Consulting, Environmental Justice & Advocacy, Environmental Law, Sustainability Education and Awareness, Environmental and Policy/Grant Writing and Social Impact/Non-profit work. Students may also wish to visit our Education, Nonprofit & Social Impact Career Community for additional resources.
Learn & Explore
- Opportunities to Get Involved in Sustainability at Tufts
- Career Pathways in Clean Energy Sector – Career exploration resources by MassCEC
- Tufts Energy Conference (TEC) – Annual event that brings together professionals and students from all areas of the energy sector to discuss critical global energy issues.
- Massachusetts Division of Water Supply Protection – Manages and protects drinking water supply for residents of Massachusetts, primarily in Greater Boston. Programs promote water quality and conservation through water resources policy and planning efforts.
- Environmental Topics (A-Z) by the EPA
- Introduction to Forestry and Natural Resources Careers
- What Is Environmental Law?
- Sierra Club – Long standing grassroots environmental organization in the United States
- AGI Workforce Guide to Geoscience Careers
- Career Advice from the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
- Sloan Career Cornerstone Series – Geosciences
- Green Corps Program – Recruits and trains organizers, provides field support for today’s critical environmental campaigns, and graduates activists who possess the skills, temperament and commitment needed to fight and win tomorrow’s environmental battles.
- The Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at the University of Washington – Diverse, committed, and creative community from around the country that aims to change the face, practice and future of conservation. They are looking for undergraduates who reflect cross-cultural perspectives with an emphasis on students from underrepresented groups in conservation.
Find Opportunities
Recommended databases and sample fellowship & internship programs
- Climate & Sustainability Virtual Experience Program – From Boston Consulting Group
- Global Climate Change Virtual Internship – From International Law Firm, Clifford Chance
- ESG Virtual Experience Program – From TATA Consultancy Services
- U.S. Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy – Clean Energy Innovator Fellowship
- Global Sustainability Scholars – 10-week paid summer internship for sustainability studies. Students can work with host organizations in Europe, Africa, and the US, with competitive stipends and paid lodging.
- Paul Knight Internship Program in Conservation – Designed to fund projects that further environmental protection or provide ecologically sound outdoor recreational opportunities.
- Harvard Forest Summer Research Program in Ecology – 11-week opportunity for students to participate in mentored, paid, independent research focusing on the effects of natural and human disturbances on forest ecosystems, including global climate change, hurricanes, forest harvest, and pest and pathogens.
- Climate Corps Bay Area Fellowship – 10 months of experience implementing climate change projects with community partners
- Sustainability Fellowships at UNH – Pairs undergrad and grad students with municipal, educational, corporate, and non-profit partners in New England to work on transformative sustainability initiatives.
- SolarCorps Fellowships – Opportunity for highly motivated people to join GRID Alternatives for a one-year, paid term of service to their community.
- The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) – Offers summer internships for Native American and other college students, providing opportunities for students to gain hands-on skills with the EPA or other governmental and tribal environmental offices.
- Semester at WHOI (SAW) – Undergrad residential “study-away” opportunity at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Woods Hole, MA.
Professional Associations
- Environmental Business Council of New England, Inc.
- National Parks Conservation Association
- American Counsel on Renewable Energy
- Food Solutions New England
- National Park Service
- Student Conservation Association
Related Tufts Organizations
- Tufts Eco-Reps
- Tufts Bikes
- Tufts Climate Action (TCA)
- Tufts Student Garden – Student-run garden, tended by the members of the Tufts Garden Club.
- Tufts Food Rescue Collaborative – Partnership between Tufts Dining, staff/faculty, students, and Food For Free to minimize food waste at Tufts while at the same time addressing food insecurity in the local host community.
- Tufts Institute of the Environment (TIE) – Initiates and promotes interdisciplinary environmental education, research, and outreach amongst Tufts students, staff, faculty and external partners.
