Environmental Science: Now What? : College of Natural Sciences : UMass Amherst

Environmental Science…Now What?

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

https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm]

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. 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? 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 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. 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 2025 UMass Amherst Environmental Science Alumni:

AmeriCorps
Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Department of Environmental Protection
Commonwealth of Massachusetts:
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Crestron Electronics
Express Employment Professionals
Merritt Environmental Consulting
PowerOptions
Stacey DePasquale Engineering
Tighe & Bond
Triumvirate Environmental
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Selection of Employers for Class of 2024 UMass Amherst Environmental Science Alumni:

Ascend Analytics, LLC
Barlett Tree Experts
Clean Harbors
First Service Energy
GEI Consultants, Inc.
Mass Audubon Coastal Waterbird Program
Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
New England Aquarium
PACE Environmental
Planet Forward
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Sanborn, Head & Associates Inc.
Town of Ipswich
UMass Chan Medical School

What Can I Do with a Degree in Environmental Science?

Agricultural Scientist Ecologist Forest Ranger

Agricultural Technician Engineering Technician Forester

Air/Water Quality Mgr 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

Civil Engineer 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 Arboreteum 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

Career Planning Resources & Websites

Career Exploration Tools

Career Planning for Environmental Science

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook

Massachusetts Career Information System

(Click Mass Resident to login with “Amherst/01003” and then click “Occupations” or “Assessments”)

Bio Careers: Environmental Science

Environmental Science.org

Reports on Jobs in the Growing Green Economy

Environmental Science Job and Internship Search Resources

UMass Amherst Specific Job Search Resources

Internships and Lab/Field Research in Environmental Science

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 2025 Job Outlook for Students)

Top 10 Skills Employers Seek on a Candidate’s Resume:

Problem Solving, Teamwork, Written Communication, Taking Initiative, Strong Work Ethic, Technical Skills, Verbal Communication, Flexibility/Adaptability, Analytical/Quantitative, Detail-Oriented

Factors Considered by Employers When Screening Candidates:

Academic Major, Has completed an internship in the industry, Industry experience, Has demonstrated proficiency in competencies, Has completed an internship with the organization, Has held a leadership position, Has been involved in leadership/extracurricular activities, Has held part-time jobs in college to finance education, Has done volunteer work

Environmental Science: Now What?

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