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What career can I do with a Bachelor's in environmental science?

Hello! I'm an Incoming college student and my question is: What career can I do with a Bachelor's in environmental science? I'm unsure what job I can do with the degree that I'm planning to take.

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Atul’s Answer

First, consider why you chose this major.
For example, if your goal is to create software, you would study Computer Science.
Similarly, if you aspire to be an accountant, you would study accounting.
You understand the idea here.
Asking this question without knowing potential job opportunities suggests you may not have thought deeply about pursuing this major.
Regardless, you can find work in town, county, city, or even with the EPA. Private sector companies, like those in oil/gas or waste management, also focus on environmental impacts.
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Amy’s Answer

With a bachelor's degree in environmental science, the job possibilities are truly limitless! Your career path might surprise you, taking you to unexpected places and roles.

As someone with both a bachelor's and master's degree in environmental science, I can attest to this. I began my career in an administrative role, eventually moving on to assist a small business with their environmental policies. Today, I work in technology, specifically in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) for learning courses, a role that doesn't directly involve environmental science.

Your degree will equip you with more than just knowledge in environmental science. If you choose to continue in this field, it serves as a solid foundation for further research. But if you're concerned about limiting your career options, fear not! This degree will provide you with invaluable life experiences and open up a multitude of career opportunities for you. So, embrace the journey and look forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead!
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Vern’s Answer

A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science often serves as a stepping stone towards pursuing a higher degree or entering a related career field. Some possible job options include regulatory inspector, policy analyst, science writer, teacher, lab technician, field sampling technician, food safety inspector, park ranger, land manager, project manager, grant writer, city planner, and social/environmental justice advocate. Keep in mind that many of these careers may require additional certifications or an advanced degree.

Individuals with an Environmental Science degree are often passionate and optimistic, which is beneficial, but they may also be overly optimistic about job opportunities with just a bachelor's degree. It's advisable to consider pursuing a master's degree, a minor, or a certification in a related area of interest if you choose to study Environmental Science.

It's crucial to actively seek out internships, whether paid or unpaid, and relevant job experiences during your undergraduate studies. The purpose of an internship is to demonstrate to potential employers that you are a dedicated, hardworking individual who would be an asset to their organization. For instance, being a diligent staff member responsible for collecting park entrance fees could lead to future opportunities as a community educator or park ranger upon graduation.

Vern recommends the following next steps:

Consider reading and doing the exercises in the book "Designing our Life." Ask yourself, what is your dream job?
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Rick’s Answer

Environmental Science degrees are typically broad-based science degrees that include multiple scientific disciplines. Accordingly, there are numerous career paths for this type of degree given its broad nature. These would include environmental lab research/analysis work, environmental field work, environmental consulting, compliance support, permitting support, regulatory support, environmental restoration projects and work in the energy field. Additionally, environmental issues are part of the broader concept of sustainability - this is certainly a direction that can be pursued with an environmental science degree, but additional education/experience may be required to build understanding of the social, governance and financial aspects of sustainability. The experience you get during the early part of your post-college career (and even experience during college) can greatly influence the exact direction you head with this type of degree.

Rick recommends the following next steps:

Recommend volunteering for organizations that align with the direction you want to go in your career; helps you make contacts and gain experience, even if it is volunteer work.
Fully flesh out your LinkedIn profile and start making connections; building your network, sharing articles and even writing blog posts can help identify opportunities that you may not otherwise know about.
If you need to work during college, try to find something tangentially related to your career interests.
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