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California State University, Long Beach
Student receiving Career advise on choosing a Major
 

ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/SCIENCE: What can I do with this Major?

PLANNING
CAREER
Air Quality
Aviation
Building/Zoning
Land-Use
Consulting
Recreation
Transportation
Water Resources
EMPLOYERS
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
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Teaching
Journalism
Tourism
Law Regulation
Compliance
Political Action/Lobbying
EMPLOYERS
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
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Chemistry
Engineering
Hydrology
Logistics
Planning
Recycling
Transportation
Compliance
EMPLOYERS
Federal, state, and local government
Private waste management firms
Consulting firms
Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
Take some scientific or engineering courses. Choose an unusual material and think of creative ways to recycle or reuse it.
HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT
CAREER
Hydrogeology
Quality Control
Risk Assessment
Environmental Engineering
Public and Environmental Health
Industrial Hygiene
Law
Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Chemical Engineering
Planning
Compliance
EMPLOYERS
Federal, state, and local government
Private companies that generate hazardous waste in production
Hazardous waste management firms
Consulting firms
Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Engineering
Planning
Analytical Chemistry
Environmental Quality Analysis
Meteorology
Risk Assessment
Safety and Health Management
Toxicology
Project Development
Compliance
EMPLOYERS
Federal, state, and local government
Private industry
Consulting firms
Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
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
EMPLOYERS
Federal, state, and local government
Corporations
Consulting firms
Nonprofit organizations
Treatment plants
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Biology
Ecology
Planning
Geographic Information Systems
Preserve Management
Law
Natural Resource Management
Soil Conservation
Land Acquisition
EMPLOYERS
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
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Aquaculture
Botany
Data Management
Biology
Hatchery Management
Marine Biology
Ecology
Education
Research
Planning
EMPLOYERS
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
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Administration and Management
Law Enforcement
Recreation Planning
Natural Resource Management
Research
Site Operations and Maintenance
Ecotourism
Direct Mail Merchandising
EMPLOYERS
National Park Service
Federal agencies
State, county or city parks
Resorts
Marinas
Privately owned facilities
Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
Consulting
Entomology
Hydrology
Natural Resource Management
Planning
Research
International Forestry
Urban Forestry
EMPLOYERS
Federal, state, and local government
Consulting firms
Timber companies
Nonprofit organizations
STRATEGIES
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
CAREER
EMPLOYERS
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
STRATEGIES
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.
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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