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What degree should I go into for (maybe) wanting to be an Environmental scientist?
I want to have a career in Science ( really considering Environmental sciences) but I don't know what degree would be the best fit... Also what kind of scientist I want to be.. Any advice would help!
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Joe’s Answer
In the next 10 years, several science-related jobs are expected to be in high demand in the USA, driven by advancements in technology, an increasing focus on sustainability, healthcare needs, and data analysis. Here are some of the most in-demand science jobs
Personally I believe Data Scientist roles especially Sr. roles will be able to name their price in the market over the next 10 years
This will be likely until the labor market catches up (supply and demand)...similar thing happened for project managers PMPs in the 80s....then the market caught up...
Environmental Scientist is in the top 4 though.
Good luck
1. Data Scientist
Role: Analyze and interpret complex data to help organizations make informed decisions.
Demand Drivers: Big data growth across various industries.
Skills Needed: Statistics, machine learning, programming (Python, R), data visualization.
2. Biomedical Engineer
Role: Develop medical devices and technologies to improve healthcare.
Demand Drivers: Aging population, medical advancements.
Skills Needed: Engineering principles, biology, materials science.
3. Biotechnologist/Biomedical Scientist
Role: Conduct research and develop products using biological organisms and systems.
Demand Drivers: Healthcare innovation, pharmaceuticals, genetic research.
Skills Needed: Molecular biology, biochemistry, laboratory techniques.
4. Environmental Scientist
Role: Study and develop solutions for environmental problems.
Demand Drivers: Climate change, environmental regulations.
Skills Needed: Environmental science, chemistry, data analysis, GIS.
5. Genetic Counselor
Role: Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions and provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Demand Drivers: Advances in genetic testing and personalized medicine.
Skills Needed: Genetics, counseling, biology, communication.
6. Health Informatics Specialist
Role: Manage and analyze health information and data.
Demand Drivers: Digital health records, healthcare data analytics.
Skills Needed: Health informatics, IT, data management.
7. Epidemiologist
Role: Study patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
Demand Drivers: Public health awareness, disease outbreak management.
Skills Needed: Public health, statistics, research methods.
8. Renewable Energy Scientist/Engineer
Role: Research and develop technologies for renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and bioenergy.
Demand Drivers: Shift towards renewable energy, climate policies.
Skills Needed: Engineering, environmental science, energy systems.
9. AI/Machine Learning Engineer
Role: Develop algorithms and systems that enable machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence.
Demand Drivers: Automation, AI integration across industries.
Skills Needed: Computer science, mathematics, programming, machine learning.
10. Pharmacist/Pharmacologist
Role: Research and develop new drugs, understand drug interactions and effects.
Demand Drivers: Healthcare needs, pharmaceutical advancements.
Skills Needed: Pharmacology, chemistry, biology, patient care.
11. Materials Scientist
Role: Study and develop new materials with advanced properties for use in various applications.
Demand Drivers: Nanotechnology, electronics, sustainable materials.
Skills Needed: Materials science, chemistry, physics.
12. Robotics Engineer
Role: Design, build, and maintain robots and automated systems.
Demand Drivers: Automation, manufacturing, healthcare robotics.
Skills Needed: Robotics, engineering, programming.
13. Climate Scientist
Role: Study climate systems and develop strategies to mitigate climate change.
Demand Drivers: Global warming, environmental policy.
Skills Needed: Climate science, atmospheric science, data analysis.
14. Cybersecurity Analyst
Role: Protect an organization's computer systems and networks.
Demand Drivers: Increasing cyber threats, data breaches.
Skills Needed: Computer science, information security, network administration.
15. Medical Scientist
Role: Conduct research to improve patient health by investigating diseases and developing new treatments.
Demand Drivers: Medical advancements, public health needs.
Skills Needed: Biomedical research, clinical trials, laboratory techniques.
These roles require a solid educational foundation, typically in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), and often benefit from advanced degrees and specialized training. Additionally, staying current with industry trends and technological advancements is crucial for long-term career success in these fields.
Personally I believe Data Scientist roles especially Sr. roles will be able to name their price in the market over the next 10 years
This will be likely until the labor market catches up (supply and demand)...similar thing happened for project managers PMPs in the 80s....then the market caught up...
Environmental Scientist is in the top 4 though.
Good luck
1. Data Scientist
Role: Analyze and interpret complex data to help organizations make informed decisions.
Demand Drivers: Big data growth across various industries.
Skills Needed: Statistics, machine learning, programming (Python, R), data visualization.
2. Biomedical Engineer
Role: Develop medical devices and technologies to improve healthcare.
Demand Drivers: Aging population, medical advancements.
Skills Needed: Engineering principles, biology, materials science.
3. Biotechnologist/Biomedical Scientist
Role: Conduct research and develop products using biological organisms and systems.
Demand Drivers: Healthcare innovation, pharmaceuticals, genetic research.
Skills Needed: Molecular biology, biochemistry, laboratory techniques.
4. Environmental Scientist
Role: Study and develop solutions for environmental problems.
Demand Drivers: Climate change, environmental regulations.
Skills Needed: Environmental science, chemistry, data analysis, GIS.
5. Genetic Counselor
Role: Assess individual or family risk for a variety of inherited conditions and provide information and support to other healthcare providers, or to individuals and families concerned with the risk of inherited conditions.
Demand Drivers: Advances in genetic testing and personalized medicine.
Skills Needed: Genetics, counseling, biology, communication.
6. Health Informatics Specialist
Role: Manage and analyze health information and data.
Demand Drivers: Digital health records, healthcare data analytics.
Skills Needed: Health informatics, IT, data management.
7. Epidemiologist
Role: Study patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations.
Demand Drivers: Public health awareness, disease outbreak management.
Skills Needed: Public health, statistics, research methods.
8. Renewable Energy Scientist/Engineer
Role: Research and develop technologies for renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and bioenergy.
Demand Drivers: Shift towards renewable energy, climate policies.
Skills Needed: Engineering, environmental science, energy systems.
9. AI/Machine Learning Engineer
Role: Develop algorithms and systems that enable machines to perform tasks that require human intelligence.
Demand Drivers: Automation, AI integration across industries.
Skills Needed: Computer science, mathematics, programming, machine learning.
10. Pharmacist/Pharmacologist
Role: Research and develop new drugs, understand drug interactions and effects.
Demand Drivers: Healthcare needs, pharmaceutical advancements.
Skills Needed: Pharmacology, chemistry, biology, patient care.
11. Materials Scientist
Role: Study and develop new materials with advanced properties for use in various applications.
Demand Drivers: Nanotechnology, electronics, sustainable materials.
Skills Needed: Materials science, chemistry, physics.
12. Robotics Engineer
Role: Design, build, and maintain robots and automated systems.
Demand Drivers: Automation, manufacturing, healthcare robotics.
Skills Needed: Robotics, engineering, programming.
13. Climate Scientist
Role: Study climate systems and develop strategies to mitigate climate change.
Demand Drivers: Global warming, environmental policy.
Skills Needed: Climate science, atmospheric science, data analysis.
14. Cybersecurity Analyst
Role: Protect an organization's computer systems and networks.
Demand Drivers: Increasing cyber threats, data breaches.
Skills Needed: Computer science, information security, network administration.
15. Medical Scientist
Role: Conduct research to improve patient health by investigating diseases and developing new treatments.
Demand Drivers: Medical advancements, public health needs.
Skills Needed: Biomedical research, clinical trials, laboratory techniques.
These roles require a solid educational foundation, typically in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), and often benefit from advanced degrees and specialized training. Additionally, staying current with industry trends and technological advancements is crucial for long-term career success in these fields.
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Mj, you're in a great position with so many choices at your fingertips, even though it might seem a bit daunting to pick a degree. If environmental science sparks your interest, there are degrees tailored to that in many schools. On the other hand, if your chosen school doesn't offer that specific degree, you can still follow your passion by majoring in general biology, chemistry, or geology. These fields can also lead you to a fulfilling career in environmental science. A lot of these degrees include relevant coursework, offering you a variety of routes to reach your goal. As Joe pointed out, a STEM degree opens up a multitude of opportunities. So, remember, you've got this!