Young Professionals & Fresh Starts

Getting involved in a major that encompasses sustainability course work is becoming more and more prevalent. What if you're a computer science major who has an interest in sustainability? How can you get involved?

1. Check out your local universities volunteer recycling or compost program options.
   • Auraria Sustainable Campus Programs
   • University of Colorado - Boulder
   • Western Colorado University
   • Colorado State University
   • University of Northern Colorado
2. Sign up for volunteer opportunities
   • Recycle Colorado Lobby Day: Learn to lobby, visit the capital, and understand Colorado's legislative process.
   • Eco-Cycle's Eco-Leaders Volunteer Network: Eco-Leaders are Zero Waste experts and peer educators.
   • High Country Conservation Center: Volunteers are needed throughout the year at HC3’s annual events.
   • Become a Recycling Ambassador in your community: Steamboat Springs, Fort Collins, Sangre de Cristo, High Country Recycling (Westcliffe), Cloud City Conservation Center (Leadville), Goodwill, Evergreen Sustainability Alliance
3. Check out local Internship and Early Career Opportunities
   1. The Western Resilience Center offers meaningful, mission-driven experience for students and early-career professionals. Support real climate projects while gaining skills in environmental communication, program delivery, and more.
   2. Walking Mountains hires interns seasonally for a variety of programs, summer and winter.
4. Get Involved in sustainability events
   • Attend the Recycle Colorado Summit for Recycling by applying for the Future Leaders Scholarship or volunteer with the planning and execution of the event.
   • Attend your local SWANA Young Professional events.
   • Get in on the conversation on Equity in Conservation and Outdoor Recreation at the E.C.O.R. Summit for Action conference
   • Get involved with your local state recycling, composting or solid waste organization network and events.
     • State Recycling Organizations
     • State Composting Organizations
     • State Solid Waste Organizations
   • Denver Food Matters Restaurant Challenge: Over the 10-day event, visit participating local restaurants to try featured menu items crafted with recovered food: perfectly good ingredients that would have otherwise been discarded during the prep or cooking process.
   • Colorado Environmental Film Festival: Screening world-class environmental films in beautiful Colorado!
5. Apply for additional training programs and networking opportunities
   • Sustainable Living Association's Sustainable Leadership Program: Learn how business can thrive and grow while simultaneously solving some of the world’s biggest challenges—and how you, as an individual, can make a difference. Collectively, this array of thought leaders and practitioners will inspire, challenge, and prepare participants to rise to the critical leadership demands to successfully integrate sustainability into business.
   • Colorado Sustainability Professionals: Sustainability professionals in Colorado to share career opportunities, networking events, conferences, community events and more.
   • Women in Waste: A place to connect, share, learn, and support each other across the waste, recycling, reuse, diversion, sustainability, and circular economy industries.
   • National Center for Craftsmanship: Adults and youth learn real world construction skills, as well as emerging deconstruction technology and LEED certification protocols, while working side-by-side with trade professionals.