In the field of environmental science, how relevant will a Ph.D or Master's degree be?

Hello,

I have been working in the field for the past 7 years in the environmental consulting field. I personally only have Bachelors of Science in Environmental Management, but interface with a large number of people in a wide range of disciplines all over the United States. Now, it has been my experience that it would be better to get some real world experience under your belt prior to pursuing a Ph.D. The environmental science realm is very much a "hands on" career path, and potential employers are more interested in what you have done, than just in what your education is. I say this as someone who has been involved somewhat in the hiring of new employees, and training thereof. Now, that is not to say that having a Ph.D wouldn't make you stand out during a candidate selection process; but at the end of the day, project managers need people with experience in the field to conduct the work they need accomplished. This applies not just to consulting, but to other areas under the environmental science umbrella, and just in life in general.

Earning a masters degree will more than qualify you to obtain a position in environmental science, and will obviously magnify your earning potential right out of the gate above and beyond that of a bachelor's degree. However, I do not think that without a significant amount of related work experience that the rate of return will be much greater with a P.h.D (at this point in your career).

Honestly, anyone pursuing a doctorate in any field should have some work experience in said field, so that they have a better idea if that is something that they wish to do at all. Doctorates are expensive, time consuming, and difficult to obtain (obviously). So, you really need to know if you actually enjoy working in that field, before you start a doctoral program. Why spend all that money on a degree, only to find out that you hate the job? I does happen! Not only that, but hands on experience will make you better prepared to pursue one.

Lastly, I don't have very many peers in the field that do have their doctorates, they are primarily individuals with bachelors and masters degrees. Sure, they are out there, but they typically are individuals with decades of experience who did a large amount of industry work, before becoming an expert in one aspect of the field or another, and then starting doctoral programs. And if management is something that interests you at all, MBAs area good way to move forward in that path as well as your other degrees.

Anyway, good luck in your education, and career path, and I'm glad that you chose this one . We need more intelligent, qualified people to help make the world a safer, healthier, and cleaner place.