5 Ways Studying Sustainability Makes Your World Better
I’m Laura Allston ‘21, a graduate student pursuing my Master of Sustainability (MSUS) at Chatham University. Studying within the Urban and Energy Systems track, my main interests lie in the introduction of biophilic elements like gardens or greens space into urban spaces. With one year of the MSUS program in the books, I’m sharing some of the ways that this experience has made my world better… and could make yours better too!
1) You Make a Difference— No Matter How Small
Since sustainability is a complex set of problems, it can sometimes feel that the problems are too big to be solved. As a sustainability student, I often need to remind myself that I am making a difference even if it cannot be seen on the surface or if it feels small. Developing this understanding has led to increased gratification in the field I study and in the work and research that my peers pursue. Reminding myself that what I study and the work I do is positively impacting someone, somewhere makes my (and our) world better, one small step at a time.
2) You Make Meaningful Connections
Studying sustainability involves hands-on and community-based learning experiences. Through these hands-on projects, I have been able to develop new relationships and foster new connections with individuals involved in similar fields of study. At Chatham, I was able to develop friendships and connections rather quickly within my cohort. Through time spent in class, studying, at happy hour, and bowling nights, the MSUS cohort has developed a special bond that I am very grateful for. Graduate school grants students the opportunity to find their people— I feel lucky to have found some of mine. It is through these relationships and connections that I feel that my life is enriched with more knowledge, friendship, and the drive to make a difference.
3) You Become a Pro at Problem-Solving
Sustainability is often defined as a ‘wicked problem,’ or one that is very difficult to solve due to its complexity. There is no one solution that will solve sustainability issues, but rather multiple solutions that must form together to make a change. Since students study sustainability through this lens, we’re able to develop an impressive range of problem-solving skills that can apply to both our specific fields of study in sustainability and in our personal lives. The problem-solving skills I’ve gained in my first year in the MSUS program at Chatham will guide me through my professional career and have prepared me to begin to work towards sustainability issues and goals.
4) You Get a Serious Boost in Well-Being
With the overall goal to improve the environment, studying sustainability connects you with nature every day, even if you don’t notice it! One of the most impactful aspects of being part of sustainability initiatives is the benefits of being involved in the natural world and devoting your career to improving it. As someone who studies an individual’s relationship with the natural world in urban places, I have seen first hand the benefits that even the smallest amount of nature can have on a person. Personally, I feel that studying sustainability and spending time in nature play a significant role in my mental health.
5) You Learn to Think Twice
I think for those who study sustainability, thinking twice about the impact you have on the world becomes ingrained within you rather quickly. Through my time studying sustainability in undergrad and grad school, what I’ve learned has made me a more responsible consumer and producer. For example, I’ve become much more conscious of where my goods come from, what ingredients are in household products, how to cut back on plastic use, and when to practice methods to cut back on food waste. While these examples may seem small, their presence in my life has been very beneficial. I believe that studying sustainability grants us the opportunity to change our mindsets, which is perhaps the thing that I value most about the field.
Students who study sustainability hone skills that help make the world a better place. Chatham University’s undergraduate major in sustainability and Master of Sustainability (MSUS) program prepare enterprising students with the tools necessary to be the agents of change that corporations, governments, and other organizations need to lead their sustainability initiatives. With key problem-solving skills and an appreciation for the interconnected nature of change, our students tackle today’s most pressing sustainability challenges.