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Choose a Major to View More Information Accounting Anthropology (Minor) Art Athletic Training and Exercise Science Biology Business Administration Chemistry Child Development & Family Studies (Minor) Classics (Minor) Commerce, Language, and Culture Communication and Media Studies Computer Science Economics Education (Major or Certification) Engineering Arts (Dual Degree Program) English Environmental Science (Interdisciplinary Major) Foreign Language History Information Systems Mathematics Music and Music Education Nursing Arts (Dual Degree Program) Philosophy Physics Political Science Pre-Law Pre-Med, Pre-Dental, & Pre-Pharmacy Psychology Public Health (Minor) Religion Sociology Theater and Performance Studies

What can I do with an environmental science major?

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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

• Ecological Society of America
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
• National Council for Science and the Environment
• Environment Web Directory
• Environmental Education Directory
• Environmental Careers Organization
• The Ecological Society of America
• Cyber-Sierra Natural Resources Job Search
• Environmental Careers Resource Guide
• Enviro Link
• Environmental Career Center
• Environmental Jobs and Careers
• The Student Conservation Association

Download a pdf version of this guide

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