What can you do with a Sustainability Studies degree from Arizona State University?

First, some facts. Of the Sustainability Studies graduates from Arizona State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 17 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Sustainability Studies graduates from Arizona State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 17% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Sustainability Studies graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Sustainability Studies graduate from Arizona State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 5%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2019 from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Sustainability Studies. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Sustainability Intern
Local First Arizona
Jan 2019 - Apr 2019
The role of Sustainability Intern at Local First Arizona directly involves sustainability practices and initiatives, utilizing knowledge gained from the Bachelor's degree in Sustainability Studies on a daily basis.

Transaction Processor
Coldwell Banker
Mar 2020 - Present
The position of Transaction Processor at Coldwell Banker does not require any specific knowledge or skills related to sustainability, focusing instead on transaction processing and administrative tasks unrelated to the individuals field of study.

ABOUT

Hello, my name is [NAME REMOVED] Fleming and I am a recent graduate of Arizona State University. I have achieved my Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability with a Minor in Anthropology. I am always looking for opportunities to further my understanding of how sustainability impacts society and how to continue to integrate sustainability into our daily lives. Currently, I am furthering my experience by working as a sustainability intern at Local First Arizona.As a student, I am still exploring the various pathways to becoming the best sustainability professional that I can be. I am open to continuing my education about the field of sustainability. I hope to encourage and promote sustainability in any position and business I will be apart of. Please feel free to contact me for any reason or opportunities. Thank you!

What jobs can you get with a Sustainability Studies degree from Arizona State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


From analyzing the job profiles of individuals who graduated with a degree in Sustainability Studies from Arizona State University, it seems like there's a mix of roles, with some being closely aligned with sustainability principles, while others veer off into unrelated fields. The more common jobs in this area range from sustainability consultants, conservation educators, and urban planners to roles in non-profits focused on environmental management. These positions show a clear connection to their studies, allowing graduates to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways to promote sustainability.

However, it's also evident that many graduates end up in roles that don't really harness the full potential of their degree. Positions in retail, customer support, or general operations often don’t require specific sustainability knowledge. So while there are definitely pathways that directly relate to their academic background—like working in conservation or project management within sustainable housing—there's a significant number of jobs that don't use the skills they learned at ASU. Overall, while there's potential for many amazing careers in sustainability, the job market sometimes leads grads into areas that aren’t directly beneficial to their field of study.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Sustainability Studies graduates (this is across all Sustainability Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Arizona State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Sustainability Studies graduates from Arizona State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

The graduates from Arizona State University's Sustainability Studies program seem to be on varied career paths, especially in their first roles after graduation. Many of them start with internships or entry-level positions that are somewhat related to sustainability, such as those in parks departments, conservation education, or urban planning. It's clear that some graduates land more focused sustainability roles early on, while others find themselves in more general or unrelated positions, like customer support or retail. For example, while some have ventured into crucial roles like Urban Planner or Sustainability Consultant, others appear to have taken detours into jobs that may not fully align with their degree, such as retail management or warehouse positions.

If we look a bit farther down the line, like five to ten years after graduating, there's a mixed bag of outcomes. Some graduates excel in their fields, securing leadership positions related to sustainability, such as Housing & Economic Development Manager and Sustainability Consultant roles. However, a significant number of them seem to end up in jobs that diverge from their original focus on sustainability, often taking on roles in logistics, customer service, or general business operations. This suggests that while the degree opens doors, the actual career trajectories can sometimes take unexpected turns, leading people into broader sectors and away from their initial sustainability ambitions. Overall, there is promise for those committed to the field, but it’s clear that the paths can be winding and unpredictable.

How hard is a Sustainability Studies degree from Arizona State University?

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Sustainability Studies, whether at Arizona State University or elsewhere, can be a pretty manageable experience, but it really depends on your interests and study habits. The curriculum usually involves a mix of environmental science, policy, social justice, and ethics, which can be fascinating if you’re passionate about these topics. If you enjoy hands-on projects, discussions, and learning about real-world problems, you might find it engaging rather than overly challenging. But, like any degree, it has its tougher moments, especially if you're not into the more technical aspects, like statistics or science classes. Overall, it tends to be on the easier side compared to more rigorous programs like engineering or physical sciences, but it does require some commitment and interest in the issues at hand!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Sustainability Studies.

Do Sustainability Studies graduates from Arizona State University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Sustainability Studies graduates from Arizona State University, it seems like they're landing some pretty decent roles, but the pay is likely all over the place, especially early in their careers. For instance, many started with internships or entry-level positions that probably didn’t pay much—definitely not a cushy salary. As they climbed the ladder, especially those who moved into posts like "Senior Director of Marketing" or "Housing & Economic Development Manager," they likely started to see more substantial earnings. However, some still seem to be in more mid-level roles or internships, which might not be too financially rewarding yet. Overall, while some have a solid shot at making decent money, the journey to higher salaries looks a bit uneven for a lot of them.

What buzzwords do Sustainability Studies graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Sustainability Studies (this is across all Sustainability Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Arizona State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Sustainability Studies?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Sustainability Studies (ordered by the average relevance score of their Sustainability Studies graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Arizona State University 63 17