Sustainability Work Experience Program
Across all sectors, organizations are facing increased responsibility in solving the most significant environmental and societal challenges of our time.
Students in the Sustainability WEP pursue a Science or Arts discipline or Community Design (Planning) and combine it with a major in Environment, Sustainabilityand Society (ESS) through Dalhousie’s College of Sustainability.
More than just sustainability, Dalhousie Sustainability 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.
How does the Work Experience Program differ from Co-op?
The Sustainability Work Experience (SUST WEP) Program is a form of work-integrated learning that involves a single four-month paid work term in the third year of the ESS program. SUST WEP is intended for Environment, Sustainability, and Society (ESS) students who are not enrolled in Co-operative Education.
Students in SUST WEP develop professional skills and competencies and explore a career option in an applied real-world work environment students graduate with a meaningful work experience that informs career choices and facilitates employment post-graduation.
Student skills
Sustainability is a unique program at Dal. Due to its interdisciplinary nature, students combine any subject in Science, Arts, or Planning 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 and WEP are new to Dalhousie, the ESS program itself is well established, and boasts a network of more than 600 alumni over the last 12 years. Sustainability interns and new grads have worked in various roles, including:
- Consultant
- Policy Analyst
- Community Engagement
- Researcher
- Business Engagement
Work term schedules vary. Please contact us to learn more.
Typical Pay Rates
| Hourly | $20.00 |
|---|