How Is Climate Change Impacting the Educational Choices and Career Plans of Undergraduates?
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods
3. Results
3.1. Respondents’ Beliefs About Climate Change
3.2. Impact of Climate Change on Major Choice
“I believe that chemistry can help solve many problems whether it be pollution, energy production, or cleaning up the environment”.
“I realized that a career and a major in German would not have the impact on the world that I wanted it to have”.
“I chose the policy track because I figured there was no sense in pursuing STEM if I couldn’t communicate my science to people in a meaningful way”.
“I was highly interested in biology, but found passion in the intersection of science and policy and applying science to real issues!”
“I originally considered working towards a career in dentistry, but after taking some introductory biology courses I realized that I was much more passionate about environmental issues rather than the hard science. I also did not want to work in a lab for my career and enjoy office culture, which is why I also decided to major in economics to give myself more career options which would hopefully intersect in the environmental sphere”.
“My interest in high school focused on computer science, but the industry is very profit-focused in general. Data centers and technology contributes to climate change and environmental issues. Majoring in Biology opens up the possibility of research beyond college and a more sustainable tech focus career wise”.
“Better job security and income”.
“I wanted to double major to expand employment opportunities”.
3.3. Impact of Climate Change on Career Plans
“Climate change has encouraged me to pursue being a teacher because I feel like education is important to helping us combat climate change and schools are a good place to implement sustainable practices”.
“Climate change has influenced my career plans in medicine by highlighting the urgent need for healthcare professionals who can address the health impacts of a changing environment”.
“After originally wanting to study fashion business management, I quickly pivoted to the opposite side. I‘m hoping to fight the environmental degradation the fashion industry causes”.
“As a geology major, I don’t want to work for oil/petroleum companies because of climate change, along with the bloody history of oil”.
“I actively am choosing to not apply for jobs at companies that are sustainably irresponsible or use greenwashing”.
“Climate change has really just impacted where I may want to work or live, because if those places become uninhabitable, they are no longer options and the people who are currently there will be forced to adapt or leave”.
“I do not want to live in states where mitigating climate change is not a priority for the governing body”.
“Climate change has made me want to go to graduate school to pursue a PhD in materials science in order to better develop renewable energy technologies”.
“Environmental concerns over cities and transportation have led me to pursue a career in urban and environmental planning, which I am going to graduate school for next year”.
“I no longer want to ‘waste time’ in graduate school. I want to make a difference as soon as possible with my skills. I also want to work in conservation now to help the planet”.
“I now want a job that provides higher pay so I have a monetary buffer in case anything goes horribly wrong”.
“I want to enjoy the earth as it is while I still can and capture it for posterity”.
“Current climate catastrophes have caused me to question the certainty about the previously solid life plan for my future”.
“Climate change has impacted everyone’s career plans, whether they realize it or not”.
4. Discussion
Limitations of This Study
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Respondents | W&M Undergraduate Students a | |
---|---|---|
Gender | ||
Female | 70% b | 59% |
Male | 30% b | 41% |
Race | ||
White | 58% | 62% |
Black | 3% | 5% |
Hispanic | 7% | 9% |
Asian | 12% | 12% |
Multiracial | 8% | 7% |
Other | <1% | 4% |
Not Answered/Unknown | 11% | 1% |
Year in School | ||
4th Year | 24% c | 26% |
3rd Year | 25% c | 25% |
2nd Year | 25% c | 25% |
1st Year | 25% c | 25% |
Financial Aid Status d | 52% | 65% e |
Virginia Residents | 61% f | 63% |
4th-Year Respondents a | Degrees Conferred 2021–2024 b | |
---|---|---|
Government | 6% | 8% |
Psychology | 10% | 8% |
Biology | 7% | 8% |
Kinesiology & Health Sciences | 5% | 6% |
Economics | 7% | 6% |
History | 6% | 6% |
Computer Science | 5% | 5% |
Finance | 3% | 5% |
International Relations | 6% | 4% |
Neuroscience | 4% | 4% |
English | 4% | 3% |
Mathematics | 1% | 3% |
Public Policy | 3% | 3% |
Chemistry | 5% | 2% |
Business Analytics | 3% | 2% |
Have Taken Climate-Focused Class | Have Discussed Climate Change in Class * | Have Not Discussed Climate Change in Class | |
---|---|---|---|
4th Year | 113 | 236 | 112 |
3rd Year | 104 | 226 | 124 |
2nd Year | 78 | 205 | 142 |
1st Year | 47 | 171 | 171 |
Total | 342 | 838 | 549 |
Climate Change Has Impacted Major Choice | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Agree | Neutral | Disagree | ||
Climate Change Has Impacted Career Plans | Agree | 12% | 3% | 2% |
Neutral | 2% | 11% | 2% | |
Disagree | 1% | 3% | 64% |
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Stafford, S.L. How Is Climate Change Impacting the Educational Choices and Career Plans of Undergraduates? Sustainability 2025, 17, 6324. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146324
Stafford SL. How Is Climate Change Impacting the Educational Choices and Career Plans of Undergraduates? Sustainability. 2025; 17(14):6324. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146324
Chicago/Turabian StyleStafford, Sarah Lynne. 2025. "How Is Climate Change Impacting the Educational Choices and Career Plans of Undergraduates?" Sustainability 17, no. 14: 6324. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146324
APA StyleStafford, S. L. (2025). How Is Climate Change Impacting the Educational Choices and Career Plans of Undergraduates? Sustainability, 17(14), 6324. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146324