Student Opportunities

Did you know that your interests can translate into research and have big sustainability impacts? Many of UMBC’s students and faculty are inquiring and hypothesizing about topics connected to sustainability systems on local, regional, national, and global levels. UMBC’s Office of Sustainability is working to better understand how our community’s academic interests and pursuits align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, adopted by 193 countries, are the world’s call to action on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing humanity and the natural world. Did you know that your interests can translate into research and have big sustainability impacts? Many of UMBC’s students are inquiring and hypothesizing about topics connected to sustainability systems.

We want to highlight your research in the UMBC Student Sustainability Research Dashboard! 

All you need to do is submit a brief abstract (3 or 4 sentences) of your work. Your research can be just starting, ongoing, or finished. Even if you’re not sure if it is related to sustainability we ask you to still submit it and our team will evaluate it against the SDGs to determine if it fits.

Showcase My Research

There are several regional, national, and even international conferences related to sustainability that look for students to present posters, speak at a session, or facilitate a workshop. The Sustainability Office will share these opportunities on our myUMBC. Additionally, we will help you craft your proposal to maximize its appeal to the conference organizers.

Join Sustainability Matters on myUMBC

Did you know that there are a plethora of peer-reviewed sustainability journals seeking new contributors? Some of these Journals even have a theme for an upcoming publication and solicit submissions of work based on specific disciplines.  We will help connect you to the appropriate journal and we’ll share any special announcements on myUMBC. 

At any given time there is a multitude of projects happening at UMBC or in the surrounding community. These projects vary in discipline and time commitment; however, they provide valuable opportunities to gain hands-on experience outside of the classroom or lab. The Sustainability Office is always looking for students to join a team, collaborate, and share their interests or skills – at whatever level of effort you feel comfortable contributing! Some examples of specific CV enhancing opportunities include:

• Grant Writing
  • Learn the basics of grant writing including project scope, crafting a compelling narrative, and budget preparation
  • Current Grants in Progress: The Urban Forestry, Heat Mitigation, and Carbon Reduction Collaboration Project
  • Past Awards:  Spring ’21 Hrabowksi Innovation Grant & Spring ’21 Keep Maryland Beautiful Grant 
• Co-PI
  • Join us as a Primary Investigator on a Grant where you will be involved in the entire process of a grant from conception to execution  to final reporting
  • Learn and utilize project management skills and techniques, i.e. SCRUM, waterfall, adaptive, etc.
  • Hone your stakeholder engagement skills
• Subject Matter Expert/Project Consulting
  • Help the Sustainability Office by lending your expertise on a project

Are you passionate about sustainability and want to leave a positive impact at UMBC? If you said yes, then look no further because the Eco-Ambassador (EA) program was designed for students just like you!

The Eco-Ambassadors are a core group of sustainability peer educators. As a peer educator, you will play a vital role in the promotion of sustainable living at UMBC. Peer education embraces the idea that members of the community, rather than outside experts, are in the best position to encourage choices for sustainable living.

As an Eco-Ambassador you will have the freedom to work on a campaign centered around a project of your choosing. You will work closely with the Office of Sustainability and your fellow ambassadors to achieve your goals for the year. The program is created not only to make UMBC more sustainable but also to help students gain skills and professional experience.

Did you know that your interests can translate into research and have big sustainability impacts? Many of UMBC’s students and faculty are inquiring and hypothesizing about topics connected to sustainability systems on local, regional, national, and global levels. UMBC’s Office of Sustainability is working to better understand how our community’s academic interests and pursuits align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, adopted by 193 countries, are the world’s call to action on the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing humanity and the natural world. Did you know that your interests can translate into research and have big sustainability impacts? Many of UMBC’s students are inquiring and hypothesizing about topics connected to sustainability systems.

We want to highlight your research in the UMBC Student Sustainability Research Dashboard! 

All you need to do is submit a brief abstract (3 or 4 sentences) of your work. Your research can be just starting, ongoing, or finished. Even if you’re not sure if it is related to sustainability we ask you to still submit it and our team will evaluate it against the SDGs to determine if it fits.

Showcase My Research

Do you have an independent or group project for a class? Do you want to focus on something related to sustainability? If so, reach out to us today! Our Office is happy to work with you on everything from brainstorming about the project to connecting you with the proper resources on campus!