Mapping your Environmental Science & Policy Major

Please note that sample four-year plans are examples. Students, in consultation with their advisor, will discuss an individualized degree plan reflecting their academic preparation, interests and goals. Actual sequences will vary based on course availability, need for developmental coursework, and student preference. For complete information on degree requirements, reference the Undergraduate Course Catalog at http://hood.smartcatalogiq.com/.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four

¹One of these courses will also act as the Core – Social & Behavioral Sciences course

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment.

Cultivate

Explore your Major and Related Occupations

Year 1

• Explore the major through the Hood College environmental science & policy website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.
• Visit the What Can I Do With the Major? and the CareerOneStop websites.
• Meet with your academic advisor and biology faculty members to discuss career plans.
• Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.

Year 2

• Make an appointment through Handshake to meet with a Career Counselor to update your resume and consider locations for an environmental or sustainability-specific internship.
• Explore club and engagement opportunities such as the Hood Environmental Action Team (HEAT) and Sustaining Hood. Learn more about campus clubs and organizations through Pergola Connect.

Year 3

• Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either your major or employment.
• Enroll in ENSP 399 or SUST 399 to gain internship experience while earning college credit.

Year 4

• Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either internship or employment.
• If not already completed, take ENSP 399 or SUST 399, or gain a second internship experience.

Engage

Locally and Globally

Year 1

• If eligible for the Federal Work Study program, consult with a Career Counselor about opportunities relevant to your environmental science and sustainability interests. These may include working in the biology department.

Year 2

• Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the environmental and sustainability fields. Register in Alumnifire, the college’s alumni networking platform.
• Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page.

Year 3

• Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in environmental and sustainability roles. Work with a Career Center counselor or use Alumnifire to identify individuals.
• Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework.
• Shadow professionals or alumni who work in your field of choice.
• Consult with faculty in your department to learn about conferences or professional association events you might attend.

Year 4

• Schedule an appointment to learn about job interviewing and to practice interview with one or more Counselors in the Career Center.
• Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner. Register for this event in Handshake.
• Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in environmental and sustainability-related functions. 

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1

• Attend the Fall and Spring Community Volunteer & Internship Fairs to learn more about not-for-profit agencies that provide environmental and sustainability services.

Year 2

• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need environmental and sustainability interns.
• Regularly check the Handshake events page to learn about employers of interest who are providing information sessions on campus.
• If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities at companies in environmental and sustainability industries and job functions.

Year 3

• Meet with Counselors in Career Services to identify potential internships, and consider competitive national experiences.
• Attend the Fall Science & Technology Fair and the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who may need interns.
• Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.
• Utilizing Handshake, the Career Center’s platform, search for part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.

Year 4

• Meet with a Career Counselor to make plans for how you will conduct your job search beginning in the semester prior to your graduation.
• Discuss graduate school options with faculty in your department and a Career Counselor in the Career Center.
• Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who are recruiting new hires.
• Attend conferences of professional associations.

• Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
• Meet regularly with your academic advisor
• Work with tutors at the Writing Center
• Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

Learn more about careers in environmental science & policy: https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/environmental-studies-science/

• Remediation
• Liability
• Audit
• Compliance
• Sustainability
• Federal government:
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Department of Interior: Bureau of Reclamation, Office of Surface Mining, Bureau of Land Management
• Federal government continued:
  • Department of Agriculture
  • Natural Resource Conservation Service
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • Department of Defense
• Agricultural consulting firms
• Environmental consulting firms

Explore more career opportunities in environmental science & policy: https://www.onetonline.org/