Career Ideas for an Environmental Science Major
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AREA |
EMPLOYERS |
STRATEGIES |
PLANNING |
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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 |
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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 |
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Take some scientific or engineering courses. Choose an unusual material and think of creative ways to recycle or reuse it. |
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Law degree required. |
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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
- 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