3 answers
Madison
Student
Benson, Arizona
2
Questions
Updated
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What kind of career can I get with both a degree in Environmental studies and Geography?
I am looking into getting a degree in both Environmental studies and Geography, and I was wondering what types of jobs are out there for me. #science #career-counseling #environmental #environmental-services #geography #geotechnical-engineering
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3 answers
Sara Anderson
Environmental Scientist
44
Answers
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Updated
Sara’s Answer
You could look into a career as a geographic information systems (GIS) specialist.
http://www.esri.com/what-is-gis/jobs
I work in water resources and we're always looking for people with a strong background in GIS to help us map things like sea level rise and impervious area coverage.
Spruce Cox
Retired Aerospace Engineer and Rocket Scientist
76
Answers
Updated
Spruce’s Answer
Madison,
I’m glad to see your interest in natural science. Environmental studies and geography are both broad disciplines so finding work in those areas should not be a problem. You have two good answers that describe specific examples of groups of jobs available, but I would like to answer in more general terms. The most important question that I recommend you address is what you would like to do in your career. If you are ready to get a degree in either or both of these areas of natural science, you’re not going to have a problem finding work. So, it may seem backwards but I think you should first define what you would like to do and then gradually narrow your search for what to do as you proceed through school.
The two areas of science that you are interested in may have opportunities allowing you to work indoors or outdoors. General examples of day-to-day indoor and outdoor work activities are:
1) Mostly indoors: design of environmental organic and inorganic bio-systems, laboratory research/development, writing or enforcing environmental regulations, studying Earth’s climate, conducting exo-planetary studies (i.e. beyond Earth’s surface), design of long term human space flight systems (I’m serious---I’m a rocket scientist, I worked on the space station environmental control system, and you could do this if you wanted to)
2) Mostly outdoors: environmental data gathering, construction management, looking through a telescope.
Now having said that, perhaps there are schools that offer combined degrees like you mentioned, but in general I advise students not to initially pursue a double major or two bachelor’s degrees. My reasons are that in my experience, students spend at least one more year to get that second major, and sometimes two years for two Bachelor’s because of all the prerequisite classes that may be required for one but not the other. And, if you’re going to stay in school for two more years, you might as well get a Master’ s. For purposes of disclosure, I retired four years ago so it’s been a long time since my college days. I highly recommend you get more information on how best to prepare yourself for a career doing what you want to do.
Good luck.
I’m glad to see your interest in natural science. Environmental studies and geography are both broad disciplines so finding work in those areas should not be a problem. You have two good answers that describe specific examples of groups of jobs available, but I would like to answer in more general terms. The most important question that I recommend you address is what you would like to do in your career. If you are ready to get a degree in either or both of these areas of natural science, you’re not going to have a problem finding work. So, it may seem backwards but I think you should first define what you would like to do and then gradually narrow your search for what to do as you proceed through school.
The two areas of science that you are interested in may have opportunities allowing you to work indoors or outdoors. General examples of day-to-day indoor and outdoor work activities are:
1) Mostly indoors: design of environmental organic and inorganic bio-systems, laboratory research/development, writing or enforcing environmental regulations, studying Earth’s climate, conducting exo-planetary studies (i.e. beyond Earth’s surface), design of long term human space flight systems (I’m serious---I’m a rocket scientist, I worked on the space station environmental control system, and you could do this if you wanted to)
2) Mostly outdoors: environmental data gathering, construction management, looking through a telescope.
Now having said that, perhaps there are schools that offer combined degrees like you mentioned, but in general I advise students not to initially pursue a double major or two bachelor’s degrees. My reasons are that in my experience, students spend at least one more year to get that second major, and sometimes two years for two Bachelor’s because of all the prerequisite classes that may be required for one but not the other. And, if you’re going to stay in school for two more years, you might as well get a Master’ s. For purposes of disclosure, I retired four years ago so it’s been a long time since my college days. I highly recommend you get more information on how best to prepare yourself for a career doing what you want to do.
Good luck.
Ira Bortnick, P.E., C.S.P, A.R.M, CHMM
Sr. Environmental Engineer at Parsons Corporation
2
Answers
Elkins Park, Pennsylvania
Updated
Ira’s Answer
I don't know what is in your environmental studies curriculum, but I would look into doing NEPA env. permitting and studies. You'll wind up with a scientist designation if you expand your knowledge base.