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How many jobs are there for people who want to work in the environmental field?

I'm wanting to become someone that helps the environment when I grow up. It's my preferred field of study and I'm currently taking AP Environmental Science at school and I really want to get involved in it when I go to college.

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Marina’s Answer

Hi Abbey,


I think it's wonderful that you're considering studying and having a career in the environmental field. First of all, because the environmental sector is such a broad field, you may want to start doing some research on the different career paths for environmental professionals. For example, would you prefer to be out in the field in nature or does helping out companies on how to be more sustainable, sound more appealing to you?


Start thinking about what in the environmental class that you're taking or what you have read about the environmental field, makes you excited and appeals to you. I would suggest that you do an online search on environmental jobs, see what pops up and click on some of the job links that sound interesting to you, so you can get an idea of what the educational requirements may be, as well as what the duties of the job entails. Here's one website where you can start: http://rigsbysearch.com/jobs/


Something else to think about is the sector where you may want to work in. Do you think you may want be in academia, and teach environmental science? Or does working out in the field and doing research appeal more to you? There are also many corporations that have an in-house environmental professional or hire an environmental consultant to help them stay in compliance with environmental laws and regulations, or assist them in being a sustainable company. So environmental jobs are many and are also very diverse. And it might sound overwhelming, but once you start to read up more and talk to professionals in the various fields, you can start to narrow down where you may want to focus on.

Marina recommends the following next steps:

Research different environmental career paths
Speak to professionals in various environmental positions
Research colleges that offer environmental field studies
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Josh’s Answer

There are many different career paths that someone in the environmental sciences filed can take. I originally worked in the Environmental and Public health field for a county government where I worked to control diseases that were spread from animals to humans such as rabies and West Nile virus. I then transitioned into the Waste water field and worked in a waste water treatment plant helping to maintain the permits and permit requirements. My career took a turn because I also had occupational safety/Industrial Hygiene in my undergraduate studies. I transitioned into the safety and health field. I have worked for manufacturing firms, construction companies, private consulting, and the insurance industry.
I have been able to lower emissions at the factories I worked at as well as taking them to be landfill free. These activities and reduction in waste really help the environment. Being able to limit air pollution, water pollution, and landfill impact can be a very rewarding outcome to hard work. Look for an undergraduate degree that offers variety in classes so you can find your passion and not limit yourself in too narrow a path.
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