Environmental & Sustainability Careers

Supporting first-generation students pursuing careers in environmental, sustainability, and climate-related fields.

Overview

The Environmental & Sustainability Pathway supports students interested in careers focused on environmental protection, sustainability, climate solutions, and responsible systems design.

Barrier Breakers provides expert college admissions advising aligned with sustainability-focused academic and career interests, paired with mentorship and long-term support throughout college and beyond. Our work begins by helping students identify colleges and programs that align with environmental, agricultural, and sustainability pathways — preparing them for meaningful, impact-driven careers.

Environmental and sustainability careers are often interdisciplinary and poorly defined within traditional advising systems. First-generation students may struggle to identify viable academic pathways, mentorship, and early career opportunities in these fields.

This pathway exists to ensure students receive clear guidance, supportive mentorship, and access to opportunities that allow them to pursue environmental and sustainability careers with confidence and purpose.

Students in this pathway are supported from high school through college and into early career or graduate preparation, depending on their goals.

Sustainability Across Industries

Sustainability careers span multiple industries and sectors. Students in this pathway may pursue work in areas such as:

  • Environmental science and policy

  • Sustainable agriculture and food systems

  • Climate and renewable energy

  • Environmental justice and community-based sustainability

  • Sustainable fashion, ethical supply chains, and circular design

  • Corporate sustainability and ESG-related roles

Barrier Breakers helps students explore how sustainability intersects with science, business, policy, and design — and how to align academic choices with impact-driven careers.

Why This Pathway Matters

Environmental and sustainability challenges do not impact all communities equally. Communities with fewer resources are often the most affected by environmental degradation, climate-related risks, and limited access to clean air, water, and healthy food systems — yet they are frequently underrepresented in the fields shaping environmental solutions.

First-generation students and students from historically underrepresented communities bring critical lived experience, perspective, and urgency to environmental, sustainability, and policy work. This pathway exists to help ensure those voices are supported, prepared, and positioned to lead — whether as scientists, policymakers, advocates, designers, or professionals advancing more equitable and sustainable systems.

What We Do

  • 1:1 College Advising

    Personalized 1:1 support aligned with environmental studies, sustainability, agriculture, food systems, climate science, and related fields

  • Mentorship

    Mentorship from professionals working in environmental, sustainability, agricultural, and climate-related sectors

  • Career Opportunities

    Career exposure opportunities, such as internships, shadow days, informational interviews, and employer-led programming

  • Support During College

    Ongoing support during college and graduate school including persistence check-ins, wellness support, and preparation for next steps

Graduate & Professional Pathways in Sustainability

For students pursuing graduate study in environmental or sustainability-related fields, Barrier Breakers provides continued support beyond college.

Graduate admissions advising for environmental and sustainability programs may be delivered through trusted referral partners, depending on the student’s field of interest and program type.

Regardless of how graduate admissions support is provided, Barrier Breakers continues to support students through graduate school and early career stages with mentorship, wellness check-ins, and guidance during key transitions.

Throughout college, students in the Environmental & Sustainability Pathway receive:

  • Regular wellness and persistence check-ins

  • Mentorship and professional guidance

  • Support navigating internships, research opportunities, and early career decisions

For students who pursue graduate study, we continue this support throughout their programs. For those who enter the workforce directly, we remain engaged during early career stages — helping students navigate challenges and build momentum in mission-driven fields.

Become a Mentor, Institutional Partner, or Student Sponsor

You can play a direct role in supporting first-generation students on their path to college, graduate school, and meaningful careers. As a mentor, you provide guidance, encouragement, and insight into professional pathways. As a corporate partner, you help expand access to internships, career exposure, and early professional experiences. As a student sponsor, you make it possible for aspiring low-income students to receive expert advising, continued wellness support, and long-term mentorship at no cost — ensuring they are supported every step of the way.

Student sponsorships directly support aspiring low-income students by funding college advising, mentorship, and continued wellness support throughout their educational journey.