2 answers
Zoe
Student
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What are careers in the field of Environmental Science? what would I be doing, and how many hours a day would I work?
#environmental-science
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2 answers
Anne Harvey
Environmental Scientist at Philadelphia Water Department
37
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Anne’s Answer
As Sirlei said, the field of Environmental Science is very, Very, VERY broad. Think about what parts of the environment really interest you. Do you like to think about the living world - plants, animals, microorganisms? The physical world - rocks, rivers, soils? Or maybe even chemical interactions in air, water or in the ground? The site that Sirlei recommended looks like a good place to start your research.
Once you narrow down your interests you can also visit university websites to see what schools have courses and majors in the area you'd like to study. Even if you don't want to go to college right away, there are sometimes environmental technician jobs you might be able to get and then pursue your degree later on. I work for a big city water department and they hire science techs, whose jobs often involve aspects of environmental science, in addition to hiring environmental scientists with 4-year degrees. Your community may have similar jobs as well.
Here are a couple of more resources to check out:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm#tab-4
https://www.neefusa.org/nature/water/explore-career-opportunities-environmental-science
Good luck!
Once you narrow down your interests you can also visit university websites to see what schools have courses and majors in the area you'd like to study. Even if you don't want to go to college right away, there are sometimes environmental technician jobs you might be able to get and then pursue your degree later on. I work for a big city water department and they hire science techs, whose jobs often involve aspects of environmental science, in addition to hiring environmental scientists with 4-year degrees. Your community may have similar jobs as well.
Here are a couple of more resources to check out:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm#tab-4
https://www.neefusa.org/nature/water/explore-career-opportunities-environmental-science
Good luck!
Sirlei Farley
Program/Project Manager
54
Answers
Updated
Sirlei’s Answer
Hi Zoe F.,
So, when it comes to Environmental Science, the sky is the limit. You could get a variety of jobs in this area. You could work doing research, you could work for the government doing policy work, you could go into Environmental Law even.
It really depends on what you would like to focus on. And then, based on that, you would be able to better gauge hours, salary, travel, etc.
This site has quite a bit of information, and I highly recommend you check them out:
https://www.environmentalscience.org/careers
So, when it comes to Environmental Science, the sky is the limit. You could get a variety of jobs in this area. You could work doing research, you could work for the government doing policy work, you could go into Environmental Law even.
It really depends on what you would like to focus on. And then, based on that, you would be able to better gauge hours, salary, travel, etc.
This site has quite a bit of information, and I highly recommend you check them out:
https://www.environmentalscience.org/careers