Environmental Science: Now What?
Quick Facts: Environmental Scientists and Specialists
Found on the Occupational Outlook Handbook
- 2021 Median Pay: $76,530 per year; $36.79 per hour
- Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's degree
- Work Experience in a Related Occupation: None
- On-the-job Training: Internship/residency
- Number of Jobs, 2020: 87,100
- Job Outlook, 2020-30: 8% (As fast as average)
- Employment Change, 2020-30: 7,300
What Is Environmental Science?
Environmental science is the science of the interactions between the physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment, including their effects on all types of organisms but more often refers to human impact on the environment. It provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.
Most entry-level jobs require a bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field such as microbiology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, or engineering. Students enrolled in environmental science programs study the sciences broadly, taking courses in biology, chemistry, geology, and physics. They may take more specialized courses in hydrology and waste management as well. Social sciences courses in environmental policy, geography, and public administration are also beneficial for learning about the political and human aspects of the field. Hands-on experience or coursework in computer modeling, data analysis, and geographic information systems is highly desirable.
Many UMass Environmental Science graduates find work in environmental consulting firms, often doing hazardous waste sampling,site remediation,site assessment, etc. Others work in private firms specialize in the environmental permitting required to develop/build near sensitive natural resources like streams and wetlands. Students also find jobs with regulatory agencieslike EPA or USFWS, MADEP, etc. Because these agencies address broad categories of environmentalsubfields,students can become more proficient in subjectslike Air Quality, Water Quality, Wetlands and Waterways, Site Assessment, Hazardous Waste, Solid Waste, etc.
Master's degrees may sometimes be required for advancement. Environmental scientists aspiring to academic careers will need a doctoral degrees. Those pursuing advanced degrees may do well to major in a specific natural science such as chemistry, biology, physics, or geology, rather than a broader environmental science degree.
What Do Environmental Scientists Do? And Who Could I Work For?
Environmental scientists work with the earth's resources. That is a very broad definition, but considering an environmental scientist could be doing anything from helping increase palm wood production in the forests of Samoa to sampling frozen lakes in Siberia or arguing legal cases before the Supreme Court, environmental scientists do a lot! They work in offices and laboratories. They may also spend time in the field gathering data and monitoring environmental conditions firsthand. Environmental scientists find work in companies doing consulting and remediation, renewable energy, biofuels; they find jobs in many parts of the federal government, and all branches of the military. They may work as college professors, in research & development, as lobbyists, as journalists, etc. Additional careers areas include waste management, land planning, conservation, air/water quality management, environmental law, and environmental education.
Most communities employ at least a few environmental scientists at their local sanitation station, in their building/roads department, and in their public health departments. Cities hire entire environmental legal teams, employ water and transportation teams, infrastructure specialists, local environmental specialists, parks and recreation, etc. The US government is a huge employer; the United States Environmental protection Agency, the National Park Service, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the United States Geological Survey, and the Department of Energy are just a few of the major employers at the federal level. The private sector also hires a lot of environmental science professionals.
What Can I Do With A Degree In Environmental Science?
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agricultural Technician
- Air/Water Quality Mgr
- Air Pollution Analyst
- Architect
- Biochemist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Biologist
- Biotechnologist
- Chemical Technician
- Chemist
- City Planner
- Civil Engineer
- Conservation Agent
- Conservation Analyst
- Conservationist
- Consumer Safety Inspector
- Earth Scientist
- Ecologist
- Engineering Technician
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Health Spec.
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Lobbyist
- Environmental Nurse
- Environmental Physician
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Scientist
- EPA Inspector
- EPA Statistician
- Fisheries Conservationist
- Forest Ranger
- Forester
- Fund Raiser
- Geographer
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Hazardous Waste Mgr
- Hydrologist
- Industrial Hygienist
- Journalist, Author
- Management Consultant
- Meteorologist
- Microbiologist
- Natural Resource Spec.
- Occupational Safety Spec.
- Ocean Technician
- Oceanographer
- Outdoor Trip Leader
- Park Ranger
- Pharmacy Technician
- Photographer
- Project Manager
- Public Health Veterinarian
- Range Manager
- Resource Economist
- Seismologist
- Soil Conservation Tech.
- Teacher
- Urban And Regional Planner
- Wastewater Plant Operator
- Wildlife Manager
- Zoologist
Where Might I Do An Internship?
- Agawam Public Schools
- Amherst (Town of)
- Amherst Police Department
- Australis Bioshelters Inc.
- Bose Corp.
- C.T. Male Associates, PC
- Campaign to Save the Environment
- Conservation Services Group, Inc. (CGS)
- Dolphin Quest
- Environmental Defense Fund
- Greenpeace, Inc
- Hilltown Resource Management Cooperative (HRMC)
- JMP Environmental Consulting Inc.
- Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife
- MassPIRG
- Media Education Foundation
- Nature Conservancy (The)
- Northampton (City of)
- Northeast Sustainable Energy Association
- Quabbin Regional School District
- R.L. Migdal Creative Multimedia
- Raytheon Company
- UMass Amherst Emergency Medical Services
- Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)
- South Hadley (Town of)
- Spectrum Analytical
- State of Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
- Sustainable UMass
- TestAmerica Environmental Services LLC
- Triumvirate Environmental
- UMass Amherst Waste Management
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- UMass Amherst Campus Sustainability Initiative
- UMass Amherst Cold Spring Orchard
- UMass Amherst Dept of Plant, Soil, and Insect Sciences
- UMass Amherst Environmental Health & Safety
- UMass Amherst Green Office Program
- US Army Corps of Engineers
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- US Fish & Wildlife Service
- Westover Air Force Base
What Do Employers Look For?
(Source: NACE Job Outlook 2022, Courtesy of the National Association of College and Employers | www.naceweb.org)
Top 10 Things Employers Look for on Your Resume
- Problem-solving skills
- Analytical/quantitative skills
- Ability to work in a team
- Communication skills (written)
- Initiative
- Strong work ethic
- Technical skills
- Flexibility/adaptability
- Detail-oriented
- Leadership
7 Things That Give You an Advantage in the Job Market
- Internship with the organization
- Internship within the industry
- Major
- Leadership position
- General work experience
- Extracurricular activities
- High GPA (3.0 or above)