Environmental Science: Now What?
Career Resources for Environmental Science Students
Quick Facts: Environmental Scientists and Specialists Environmental scientists and specialists use their knowledge of the natural sciences to protect the environment and human health. | |
| 2024 Median Pay | $80,060 per year $38.49 per hour |
| Entry-Level Education | Bachelor's degree |
| Work Experience in a Related Occupation | None |
| On-the-job Training | None |
| Number of Jobs, 2023 | 84,600 |
| Job Outlook, 2023-33 | 7% (Faster than average) |
| Employment Change, 2023-33 | 6,100 |
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 specializing in the environmental permitting required to develop/build near sensitive natural resources like streams and wetlands. Students also find jobs with regulatory agencies like EPA, USFWS, or MADEP. Because these agencies address broad categories of environmental subfields, students can become more proficient in subjects like 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 degree. Students considering advanced degrees as an option should make sure to look for research opportunities in environmental science and other related fields in natural sciences, public health, or law and policy, to build the research skills and experience that are often valuable in these advanced degree programs.
What Do Environmental Scientists Do? Who Could I Work For?
Broadly speaking, environmental scientists work with the earth's resources, which could range from helping increase palm wood production in the forests of Samoa to arguing legal cases before the Supreme Court. 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, and biofuels. Also, they find jobs in many parts of the federal government, as well as all branches of the military. They may work as college professors, in research & development, as lobbyists, as journalists, and so forth. Additional careers areas include waste management, land planning, conservation, air/water quality management, environmental law, and environmental education.
Most communities employ environmental scientists at their local sanitation station, in their building/roads department, in their conservation commission, 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. Historically, the US government has been 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.
Selection of Employers for Class of 2026 UMass Amherst Environmental Science Alumni:
- Appalachian Mountain Club
- Associates of Cape Cod Inc.
- Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc
- GEI Consultants Inc.
- Mass Audubon
- Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation
- National Science Foundation
- The Power Advisory
- Tighe & Bond
- Triumvirate Environmental
- University of Maine
- University of Massachusetts
- Upstream Carbon
Selection of Employers for Class of 2025 UMass Amherst Environmental Science Alumni:
- AmeriCorps
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Department of Environmental Protection
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts: DCR
- Crestron Electronics
- Express Employment Professionals
- Merritt Environmental Consulting
- PowerOptions
- Stacey DePasquale Engineering
- Tighe & Bond
- Triumvirate Environmental
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
What Can I Do with a Degree in Environmental Science?
Agricultural Scientist Ecologist Forest Ranger
Agricultural Technician Engineering Technician Forester
Air/Water Quality Environmental Analyst Fund Raiser
Air Pollution Analyst Environmental Consultant Geographer
Architect Environmental Educator Geologist
Biochemist Environmental Engineer Geophysicist
Biologist Environmental Engineering Hazardous Waste Mgr
Biomedical Engineer Environmental Health Spec. Hydrologist
Biotechnologist Environmental Lawyer Industrial Hygienist
Chemical Technician Environmental Lobbyist Journalist, Author
Chemist Environmental Nurse Management Consultant
City Planner Environmental Physician Meteorologist
Conservation Admin Environmental Planner Microbiologist
Conservation Agent Environmental Scientist Natural Resource Spec.
Conservation Analyst EPA Inspector Conservationist
Consumer Safety Inspector EPA Statistician Occupational Safety Spec.
Earth Scientist Fisheries Conservationist Ocean Technician
Oceanographer Pharmacy Technician Range Manager
Outdoor Trip Leader Project Manager Resource Economist
Park Ranger Public Health Veterinarian Seismologist
Soil Conservation Tech. Urban And Regional Planner Wastewater Plant Operator
Teacher Photographer Wildlife Manager
Where Might I Do an Internship?
Agawam Public Schools
Amherst (Town of)
Amherst Police Department
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Australis
Blackstone River Coalition
Bioshelters, Inc.
Bose Corp.
Blackstone River Coalition
C.T. Male Associates, PC
Campaign to Save the Environment
Conservation Services Group, Inc. (CGS)
Dolphin Quest
Environmental Defense Fund
Greenpeace, Inc
Harvard Forest
Hilltown Res. Man. Coop
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
UMass Amherst Emergency Medical Services
Save The Bay-Narragansett
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 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
Environmental Science Job and Internship Search Resources
- Handshake Database of Internships & Jobs
- Conservation Job Board
- Environmental Career Opportunities (ECO)
- Environmental Health & Safety Jobs
- MyGISJobs.com
- Green Jobs Board
- Texas A&M Natural Resources Job Board!
- Environmental Business Council of New England’s Career Center
- Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (Mass CEC)
- Massachusetts (State) Environmental Agencies
- USA Jobs (for ALL Federal Government Jobs)
Internships and Lab/Field Research in Environmental Science
- UMass Office of Undergraduate Research & Studies
- UMass PROPEL
- Mass.gov Internships
- Internships in Federal Government Agencies
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Park Service Internships (nationwide)
- Student Conservation Association (SCA)
Professional Organizations
Many professional organization’s websites have career information on them. You can often use them to search for networking events, meet a mentor in your field of study, find current research, search for internships or jobs, and gain insight into what direction within the field you may wish to pursue.
What Do Employers Look For? (NACE 2026 Job Outlook for Students)
Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume:
- Teamwork
- Problem-Solving
- Communication (verbal)
- Technical Skills
- Communication (written)
- Work Ethic
- Analytical/Quantitative Skills
- Initiative
- Leadership Potential
- Detail-Oriented