The sustainability movement in Connecticut is full steam right now thanks to Sustainable CT, a new state initiative that comes with actionable plans for its towns and municipalities to adopt more sustainable practices and state certifications for those that achieve goals in areas like Vibrant and Creative Cultural Ecosystems, Strategic and Inclusive Public Services, and Clean and Diverse Transportation Systems and Choices.
This common goal of sustainability is catching on and making a difference. In Stamford, electric vehicle charging stations are being added to many commercial properties through a Corporate Sustainability Challenge, while Sustainable Stamford is partnering with local farms and restaurants to establish a Summer Restaurant Week that features only locally grown produce. And in New Haven, environmental leaders have rolled out a climate and sustainability plan that includes reducing emissions by 55% by 2030.
Like most sustainability plans, Sustainable CT’s goals can only be achieved through effective collaborations between sectors, fields, and professions, which is why you’ll find a wealth of exciting opportunities in sustainability throughout Connecticut’s private, public and nonprofit sectors and in a variety of fields like engineering, science, and public policy.
Sustainability Jobs Available in Connecticut with the Right Degree
With the right education and training by your side, career opportunities in sustainability in Connecticut are wide-reaching and exciting.
For example, the New Haven-based nonprofit Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Save the Sound is staffed with a team of professionals who work to ensure uncontaminated drinking water, clean air, and a healthy climate. Programs within this Connecticut nonprofit leader incorporate engineering, science, law, and grassroots advocacy to address the region’s most pressing environmental issues.
Sustainable farming is a major player in sustainability efforts in Connecticut, with groups like Connecticut FarmLink, the Connecticut Food Bank, and End Hunger Connecticut! focused on issues like food security, locally sourced food, and environmental degradation.
The Connecticut Sustainable Business Council, another big name in nonprofit here, brings together the state’s sustainable leaders and changemakers to share their resources and best practices and to collaborate to achieve common sustainability goals.
Average salaries for sustainability professionals in Connecticut, according to 2018 BLS statistics, include $88,810 for environmental engineers, $93,630 for civil engineers, $87,710 for conservation scientists, and $85,210 for soil and plant scientists.
Master’s in Sustainability Available Through Schools in Connecticut
Master’s degrees in sustainability provide a focused plan that’s designed to provide advanced study in a specific area of sustainability. Thanks to this quickly expanding field, there are more ‘green’ master’s programs than ever before.
Agriculture
The University of Connecticut’s famed Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics offers the MS in Applied & Resource Economics, which features in-depth study into agriculture and resource economics.
Sustainable Development
Connecticut State University’s MS in Geography with a specialization in Global Sustainability features an examination into the relationship between natural, social, and political systems and the challenges surrounding contemporary issues in sustainability.
Business
Not surprising, the Yale School of Management’s EMBA in Sustainability is a top contender among master’s programs in sustainability in Connecticut. This program offers a deep examination into corporate responsibility, markets, and organizations and the connection between sustainability and corporate success.
Technology
The University of New Haven in West Haven offers an MS in Environmental Engineering, an interdisciplinary program designed to address complex environmental issues like water quality and purification, solid waste management, site remediation, and more.
Sustainability Bachelor Degree Programs in Connecticut
You’ll also find a wealth of bachelor’s degree programs aimed at sustainability in Connecticut. Largely focused on the big picture, these programs provide aspiring sustainability professionals like you with a solid foundation on which to build a career in this vital field.
Southern Connecticut State University offers a BS in Environmental Systems and Sustainability, which comes with your choice of concentration in coastal marine systems, environmental policy and management, or environmental systems, while the University of Connecticut offers a bachelor’s in Sustainable Plant and Soil Systems, which includes your choice of specialization in environmental horticulture, sustainable agriculture, or turfgrass science.
Online Sustainability Degrees Offered Through Schools in Connecticut
A bachelor’s or master’s in sustainability is within reach, regardless of your professional obligations or geographical restrictions, thanks to online programs that combine the academic rigor and quality of an on-campus program with the convenience and flexibility of a distance-based course of study.
In Connecticut, online offerings in sustainability include the University of Connecticut’s Masters of Energy and Environmental Management and the University of New Haven’s MS in Environmental Engineering.