Undergraduate students as sustainability consultants: Applying service-learning to enhance career skills and foster community environmental sustainability

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title

Sustainability: The Journal of Record

Publisher

Mary Ann Liebert, Inc Publishers

Publication Date

10-1-2013

Volume

6

Issue

5

First Page

277

Last Page

281

Abstract

The words sustainable and sustainability have recently become popular diction. Often, sustainability-related concepts can seem too complicated or overwhelming, or they imply simply using less - and nothing more. At Utah State University, these ideas were incorporated in a newly designed upper-level undergraduate service-learning course, entitled Communicating Sustainability. Communicating Sustainability explored the deeper meanings of sustainability, and students learned about their own beliefs and behaviors, their community, and how to act as professional change agents. The course was structured around exploring the theoretical foundations of sustainability, communication and conservation theories, and communication techniques. Students then used knowledge gained, theories, and techniques to foster pro-environmental change with community partners. The course relayed concepts of sustainability in a positive light and gave undergraduate students real-world experience of working in a sustainability-related profession. As the demand for green jobs continues to increase, this article provides a framework for using a Communicating Sustainability class to help students develop life skills and effectively transition into professionals.

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