What professions combine an interest in English and Environmental Studies?
I'm slightly more passionate about English than Environmental Studies because I'm not into STEM-heavy subjects and would prefer to not take STEM classes, so on the ES side I'd prefer something related to Environmental Studies instead of Environmental Science. I enjoy the sustainability part of ES or maybe even policy; something that I could see making an impact on the world without being extremely scientific or involving a lot of labs or fieldwork. With English, I enjoy editing most, and would like to be an editor (with no preference for media type). I was thinking maybe something with environmental law, but I don't think I want to get through law school. If I could only choose one subject, I would choose English over ES. Are there any professions that combine my specific interests in these two subjects, besides something like blogging/freelance? #english #english-grammar #environmentalstudies #environmentalscience #sustainability #editing #editor
6 answers
Sabina’s Answer
Lucas’s Answer
Simon’s Answer
The good news is that many organizations look for graduates who possess strong verbal communication skills. Non-profits, private companies and government agencies all have positions within their environmentally-focused divisions that benefit from those skills. You may want to consider communication, development, fund-raising, recruitment, education or publication roles. What may benefit you is to explore how to gain skills in technical writing to a diversity of audiences. Many internships allow you to gain that experience and I would recommend focusing on NGOs initially if you are more interested in grass roots and community-centric approaches to problem solving, or government agencies and think tanks if you are more drawn to the policy side of things.
Even though you know you don't want to focus on STEM subjects, being able to write about environmental issues does require a foundation of understanding of what those issues involve - it doesn't mean you need a deep expertise, but you would require literacy in the scientific, social, economic and political aspects. Taking foundation environmental studies and sustainability courses to complement your English education would allow you to do that without having to focus too heavily on the physics, chemistry, biology and ecology involved.
I hope that's useful and good luck!
Tamasyn’s Answer
I would recommend keeping your options really open by taking either a double major Bachrlor of English and Environmental Studies. Or major in English, minor in ES. You may find what you enjoy changes at university so keeping your options open is good. There are a lot of Graduate Diplomas you can then complete within 1 year fulltime once you have a Bachelor's degree, if you find another path that interests you. You can even do a Grad Dip at a later stage. I'm about to start one next year!
Otherwise, you could look into writing for an environmental magazine or website, writing speeches or working at a non-profit or charity (you'll still get paid) in an area of sustainability that interests you.
You might enjoy eco-criticism which is analyzing how nature is treated within texts/novels etc. You could then get an English lecturer job and research eco-criticism, though this is very specific and jobs may be hard to find.
You could become a proofreader and specialise in sustainability texts. There are so many options. Keep your base broad and see what takes you interest once at uni I would say.
Hope this helps!
Gigi’s Answer
I think one thing that's great for a combination of English and Environmental Science/Studies would be working as a journalist/writer for a sustainability/environmental organization or nonprofit! With your knowledge in environmental issues and up-to-date events it is definitely great to spread awareness through writing! You can definitely also work in critical analysis for different papers posted or of other people's articles!
Thanks!
electra’s Answer
Best of luck!