Sustainability Co‑op
Across all sectors, organizations are facing increased responsibility in solving the most significant environmental and societal challenges of our time.
Students in the Sustainability Co-op program pursue a Science or Arts discipline of their choice and combine it with a major in Environment, Sustainability and Society (ESS) through Dalhousie’s College of Sustainability.
More than just sustainability, Dalhousie Sustainability Co-op students consider the ways in which the environment, economy, and society are interconnected. Our students represent a new generation of solutions-minded leaders who can tackle today’s real-world problems and change our world for the better.
Student skills
Sustainability Co-op is a unique program at Dal. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, students combine their first major (within an area of Science or Arts), with a double major in Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ESS). Student academic backgrounds may vary, but typical skill sets include:
- Numeracy
- Analysis/Analytical Ability
- Presentation Skills
- Research
- Negotiation
- Lobbying for social change
- Data visualization
- Knowledge of local government structure and identifying jurisdiction
- Knowledge of finance and economics
- Community engagement
Employability Skills & Competencies
- Communication
- Professionalism
- Ethics
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Lifelong learning
- Solutions-based experience
- Environmental decision making
Industries/Fields
- Aquaculture, agriculture and forestry
- Non-profit and social change enterprises
- Construction
- Consulting
- Financial firms
- Legal firms
- Education and research institutions
- Environment, energy, and natural resources
- Food industry and food banks
- Economic development agencies
- Governments and municipalities
- Water commissions, wastewater treatment and solid waste
- Conservation
- Transportation
- Sustainability science
- Environmental policy and planning
Past Roles
While Sustainability Co-op is new to Dalhousie, the ESS program itself is well established, and boasts a network of more than 500 alumni over the last 10 years. Sustainability interns and new grads have worked in various roles, including:
- Consultant
- Policy Analyst
- Community Engagement
- Researcher
- Business Engagement
Work Term Schedule
| Fall | Winter | Summer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd year | Study | Study | Work term 1 |
| 3rd year | Study | Work term 2 | Work term 3 |
| 4th year | Study | Study | Break |
| 5th year | Study | Graduation |
Typical Pay Rates
| Hourly | $20.00 |
|---|