Relevance of ESS to University and Career Pathways

07 Oct Relevance of ESS to University and Career Pathways

Studying Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) at the International Baccalaureate (IB) level holds a myriad of benefits for students who have an innate interest in our planet’s health and future. ESS encourages students to gain a deep understanding of the environment from both a scientific and socio-political perspective, which is increasingly crucial in our modern, interconnected world.

According to UNESCO, there’s a critical need to promote environmental awareness in young people. Research suggests that education is a vital tool in fostering sustainable behaviours and attitudes, and IB ESS is aligned perfectly to this need.

Additionally, a study conducted by Cambridge showed that IB students, particularly those studying ESS, were notably more likely to pursue environmental science or related degrees at university, compared to students of other programmes. It is also worth noting that the ESS course provides a holistic understanding of many of today’s pressing issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion, making it an important subject for the leaders of tomorrow.

Lastly, from an employability standpoint, there’s a growing demand for environmental professionals. The UK’s National Careers Service projects a 9% growth in Environmental Science jobs between 2020 and 2030, and students with an IB ESS background would have a solid foundation for such roles.