Environmental Science

The Environmental Science program provides an interdisciplinary foundation in environmental science within the framework of a liberal arts education. Because of the broad spectrum of environmental fields, students are provided with flexibility in selecting a course of study that reflects their specific area(s) of interest (i.e. analytical laboratory studies, field-oriented biology, political science, or some combination). All students in the program are provided with a common foundation (the “Environmental Science Core”) and the opportunity to focus their studies in either the Science or Policy Track. This B.S. degree program (57 to 59 hours) prepares students for future study and employment leading to several possible career paths in government, industry, research, and academia. Independent studies and internships are available.

Contact the Program

Environmental Science Program
Georgetown College
400 East College Street
Georgetown, KY 40324

Career Ideas for Environmental Science

AREA EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

PLANNING
  • Air Quality
  • Aviation
  • Building/Zoning
  • Land-Use
  • Consulting
  • Recreation
  • Transportation
  • Water Resources
  • Federal, state, regional, and local government
  • Corporations
  • Consulting firms
  • Banks
  • Real estate development companies
  • Law firms
  • Architectural firms
  • Market research companies
  • Colleges and universities
  • Nonprofit groups
 Get on planning boards, commissions, and committees. Have a planning specialty (transportation, water resources, air quality, etc.). Master communication, mediation and writing skills. Network in the community and get to know “who’s who” in your specialty area. Develop a strong scientific or technical background. Diversify your knowledge base. For example, in areas of law, economics, politics, historical preservation, or architecture.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND COMMUNICATION
  • Teaching
  • Journalism
  • Tourism
  • Law Regulation
  • Compliance
  • Political Action/Lobbying
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
  • Two-year community colleges
  • Four-year institutions
  • Corporations
  • Consulting firms
  • Media
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Political Action Committees
 Master public speaking skills. Learn certification/licensure requirements for teaching public K-12 schools. Develop creative hands-on strategies for teaching/ learning. Publish articles in newsletters or newspapers. Learn environmental laws and regulations. Join professional associations and environmental groups as ways to network. Become active in environmental political organizations.

SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT
  • Chemistry
  • Engineering
  • Hydrology
  • Logistics
  • Planning
  • Recycling
  • Transportation
  • Compliance
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Private waste management firms
  • Consulting firms
  • Nonprofit organizations
 Take some scientific or engineering courses. Choose an unusual material and think of creative ways to recycle or reuse it.

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
  • Hydrogeology
  • Quality Control
  • Risk Assessment
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Public and Environmental Health
  • Industrial Hygiene
  • Law
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Geology
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Planning
  • Compliance
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Private companies that generate hazardous waste in production
  • Hazardous waste management firms
  • Consulting firms
  • Nonprofit organizations
 Consider double major in hard science or engineering. Attend public meetings on this issue. Get laboratory experience. Gain computer expertise. Work in government office or regulatory agency. Get experience with technical writing. Get involved with local chapters of citizen watch groups. Become familiar with Superfund and its activities.

AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT
  • Engineering
  • Planning
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Environmental Quality
  • Analysis
  • Meteorology
  • Risk Assessment
  • Safety and Health
  • Management
  • Toxicology
  • Project Development Compliance
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Private industry
  • Consulting firms
  • Nonprofit organizations
 Develop a specific skill in the areas of engineering, chemistry or laboratory work. Work at state and local agencies as a way to start an air quality career.

WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT
  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Aquatic Toxicology
    Law
  • Biology
  • Civil/Environmental
  • Engineering
  • Hydrogeology and Hydrology
  • Drinking Water Supply and Treatment
  • Waste Water Treatment
  • Groundwater Protection
  • Surface Water Management
  • Estuary Management
  • Wetlands Protection
    Compliance
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Corporations
  • Consulting firms
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Treatment plants
 Get a strong chemistry background. Become familiar with high-tech tools. Develop computer skills. Focus on a specific technical field. Obtain laboratory skills.

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION
  • Biology
  • Ecology
  • Planning
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Preserve Management
  • Law
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Soil Conservation
  • Land Acquisition
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Indian nations
  • Utilities and timber companies
  • Consulting firms
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Land trust organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or Trust for Public Land
 Get a solid background in the basic sciences while obtaining a broad-based education. Obtain legal, real estate, and financial skills through coursework, internships or part-time jobs. Volunteer through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and hold an office. Keep up with new funding sources. Consider law school for careers as counsel to environmental organizations.

FISHERY AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
  • Aquaculture
  • Botany
  • Data Management
  • Biology
  • Hatchery Management
  • Marine Biology
  • Ecology
  • Education
  • Research
  • Planning
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Marine sport fisheries
  • Utility companies
  • Developers
  • Timber companies
  • Wildlife ranges
  • Scientific foundations
  • Zoological parks
  • Hunting and fishing clubs
  • Consulting firms
  • Nonprofit organizations
 Get a broad scientific education. Obtain skills in areas such as planning, administration, communications, and negotiation through coursework, internships, or part-time jobs. Get experience and skills in computers, statistics and computer modeling. Join the Peace Corps as a segue way into federal government positions. Get on government agencies’ job registers.

PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
  • Administration and
  • Management
  • Law Enforcement
  • Recreation Planning
  • Natural Resource Management
  • Research
  • Site Operations and
  • Maintenance
  • Ecotourism
  • Direct Mail Merchandising
  • National Park Service
  • Federal agencies
  • State, county or city parks
  • Resorts
  • Marinas
  • Privately owned facilities
  • Nonprofit organizations
 Get a broad-based education that will develop both technical and interpersonal skills. Gain expertise in additional areas such as communications, writing, fund-raising, negotiation, and computer applications. Obtain working knowledge of a foreign language such as Spanish.

FORESTRY
  • Consulting
  • Entomology
  • Hydrology
  • Natural Resource
  • Management
  • Planning
  • Research
  • International Forestry
  • Urban Forestry
  • Federal, state, and local government
  • Consulting firms
  • Timber companies
  • Nonprofit organizations
 Obtain skills with computers, statistics, and accounting through coursework, internships or part-time jobs. Develop good communication and public relations skills. Get a minor or double major in a technical area (soil science, wildlife or surveying) or in an arts and science area (business, economics, political science or computer science).

ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
  • Private firms
  • Corporations
  • Federal and State government agencies such as: Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice and Attorney General Office
    Nonprofit organizations such as Green Action and Natural Resources Defense Council
 Law degree required.

General Information

  • Environmental studies and environmental science differ from each other in the amount of science course work needed.
  • Environmental studies provides a broad base of hard sciences as well as liberal arts or social science coursework.
  • Environmental science incorporates hard sciences and environmental sciences.
  • Choice depends upon career focus, for example, administration or policy-making versus technical areas or research.
  • Combine liberal arts skills with analytical skills to increase employability. Formally, obtain a double major in these areas or minor in one of these areas. Informally, obtain these skills through internships, co-ops, volunteer work, summer jobs or independent research projects.
  • Be familiar with current environmental laws and regulations. Stay up-to-date with changing environmental legislation.
  • Join related professional associations; read related literature and journals to keep up with new developments.
  • Attend seminars, conferences and workshops sponsored by professional associations or public interest groups.
  • Network and get to know people who are working in area of interest.
  • Research agencies/organizations of interest before applying for a position.
  • Learn local, state and federal government job application procedures.
  • Obtain graduate degree for job security/advancement.

Helpful Links

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
(2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA /ADEA Employer

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