Soil Science

• Soil and Water Conservation
• Land Use Planning
• Waste Disposal
• Environmental Compliance
• Reclamation of Contaminated Lands
• Landfill Operation and Monitoring
• Agrichemical Management
• Fertilizer Technology
• Agricultural Production
• Research
• Education

Employers

• Government agencies including: US Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Services, USDA Forest Service, US Department of Health and Human Services
• State farm bureaus
• Environmental research laboratories
• Agricultural or environmental consultant firms
• Privately owned farms and ranches
• Universities

Strategies

• Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends. 
• Develop acute observational skills. 
• Stay current on technology used in natural resource management including software, geographical information systems, and global positioning systems. 
• Seek related experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs in area of interest. 
• Gain extensive laboratory and research experience to prepare for research positions.
• Participate in related clubs, organizations, and soil judging teams to build contacts and cultivate academic interests.
• Learn about certification programs offered by the Soil Science Society of America including soil science and agronomy.
• Become familiar with the federal job application procedure for government employment.
• Obtain Ph.D. for optimal research and university teaching careers.

Solid Waste Management

• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Hydrology
• Logistics
• Planning
• Recycling
• Transportation
• Compliance

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private waste management firms
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Develop strong communication skills, both written and oral. 
• Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, diplomacy, and the ability to work under pressure. 
• Gain familiarity with current technologies, regulations, and statutes.
• Join community groups or service organizations that focus on environmental awareness; attend public meetings about waste management. 
• Become flexible and learn to look at issues from various perspectives.

Hazardous Waste Management

• Hydrogeology
• Quality Control
• Risk Assessment
• Environmental Engineering
• Public and Environmental Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Law
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Chemical Engineering
• Planning
• Compliance

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private companies that generate hazardous waste in production
• Hazardous waste management firms
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Consider a double major in hard science or engineering. 
• Attend public meetings on hazardous waste issues. 
• Gain laboratory experience and computer expertise.
• Complete an internship in a government office or regulatory agency. 
• Gain experience with technical writing. 
• Get involved with local chapters of citizen watch groups. 
• Become familiar with Superfund and its activities.

Air Quality Management

• Engineering
• Planning
• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Quality Analysis
• Meteorology
• Risk Assessment
• Safety and Health Management
• Toxicology
• Project Development
• Compliance

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private industry
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Stay up-to-date with federal regulations and both industry and regional standards.
• Additional training in economics and policy is desirable. 
• Develop strong oral communication and technical writing skills. 
• Learn to work well under pressure and develop negotiation skills. 
• Seek volunteer or paid positions within area environmental groups.

Water Quality Management

• Aquatic Ecology
• Aquatic Toxicology
• Law
• Biology
• Civil/Environmental Engineering
• Hydrogeology and Hydrology
• Drinking Water Supply and Treatment
• Waste Water Treatment
• Groundwater Protection
• Surface Water Management
• Estuary Management
• Wetlands Protection
• Compliance
• Industrial Engineering

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Treatment plants

Strategies

• Develop a strong chemistry background by taking additional courses. 
• Obtain laboratory skills by assisting faculty with research projects. 
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and regulations. 
• Develop interpersonal, oral communication, and technical writing skills. 
• Seek an advanced degree in policy for increased marketability. 
• Learn about certification programs offered by the American Institute of Hydrology. 
• Learn to use the tools and software associated with watershed modeling.

Land and Water Conservation

• Biology
• Ecology
• Planning
• Geographic Information Systems
• Preserve Management
• Law
• Natural Resource Management
• Soil Conservation
• Land Acquisition

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Indian nations
• Utilities and timber companies
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations\
• Land trust organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or Trust for Public Land

Strategies

• Gain a solid background in the basic sciences while obtaining a broad-based education.
• Obtain legal, real estate, and financial skills through coursework, internships or part-time jobs.
• Volunteer through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and hold an office. 
• Keep up with new funding sources. 
• Consider law school for careers as counsel to environmental organizations.

 

 

Fishery and Wildlife Management

• Aquaculture
• Botany
• Data Management
• Biology
• Hatchery Management
• Marine Biology
• Ecology
• Education
• Research
• Planning

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Marine sport fisheries
• Utility companies
• Developers
• Timber companies
• Wildlife ranges
• Scientific foundations
• Zoological parks
• Hunting and fishing clubs
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Develop a broad scientific education. 
• Obtain skills in areas such as planning, administration, communications, and negotiation through coursework, internships, or part-time jobs. 
• Get experience and skills in computers, statistics and computer modeling. 
• Join the Peace Corps as a segue way into federal government positions. 
• Learn about the federal job application process.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

• Administration and Management
• Law Enforcement
• Recreation Planning
• Natural Resource Management
• Research
• Site Operations and Maintenance
• Ecotourism
• Direct Mail Merchandising

Employers

• National Park Service
• Federal agencies
• State, county or city parks
• Resorts
• Marinas
• Privately owned facilities
• Nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Develop a broad-based education that will develop both technical and interpersonal skills.
• Gain expertise in additional areas such as communications, writing, fund-raising, negotiation, and computer applications. 
• Obtain working knowledge of a foreign language such as Spanish. 
• Learn to work well with and communicate with all types of people. 
• Participate in travel and recreation programs.  
• Join related organizations and seek leadership roles to gain experience planning trips and other programs.

Forestry

• Consulting
• Entomology
• Hydrology
• Natural Resource Management
• Planning
• Research
• International Forestry
• Urban Forestry

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Consulting firms
• Timber companies
• Nonprofit organizations

Strategies

• Obtain skills with computers, statistics, and accounting through coursework, internships or part-time jobs. 
• Develop good communication and public relations skills. 
• Get a minor or double major in a technical area (soil science, wildlife or surveying) or in an arts and science area (business, economics, political science or computer science).

Environmental Education and Communication

• Teaching
• Journalism
• Tourism
• Law Regulation
• Compliance
• Political Action/Lobbying

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
• Two-year community colleges
• Four-year institutions
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Media
• Nonprofit organizations
• Political Action Committees

Strategies

• Master public speaking skills. 
• Learn certification/licensure requirements for teaching public K-12 schools. 
• Develop creative hands-on strategies for teaching/learning. 
• Publish articles in newsletters or newspapers. 
• Learn environmental laws and regulations. 
• Join professional associations and environmental groups as ways to network. 
• Become active in environmental political organizations.

Planning

• Air Quality
• Aviation
• Building/Zoning
• Land-Use
• Consulting
• Recreation
• Transportation
• Water Resources

Employers

• Federal, state, regional, and local government
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Banks
• Real estate development companies
• Law firms
• Architectural firms
• Market research companies
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit groups

Strategies

• Get on planning boards, commissions, and committees. 
• Have a planning specialty (transportation, water resources, air quality, etc.). 
• Master communication, mediation and writing skills. 
• Network in the community and get to know "who's who" in your specialty area. 
• Develop a strong scientific or technical background. 
• Diversify your knowledge base. 
• For example, in areas of law, economics, politics, historical preservation, or architecture.

Environmental Law

Employers

• Private firms
• Corporations
• Federal and State government agencies such as Environmental Protection Agency,
• Department of Justice and Attorney General Office
• Nonprofit organizations such as Green Action and Natural Resources Defense Council

Strategies

• Earn a law degree. Prepare for law school by maintaining a high g.p.a. and studying for the LSAT. 
• Build strong recommendations from faculty. 
• Work a part-time or summer job in a law firm. 
• Develop strong written and oral communication skills. 
• Participate in pre-law honor societies, debate teams, or moot court.

Other Professions

• Air, Water, and Land Pollution Inspector
• Bioengineer
• Ecologist
  
• Environmental Analyst
• Environmental Code Enforcement Officer
  
• Environmental Consultant
  
• Environmental Engineer
  
• Environmental Health Inspector
  
• Environmental Lobbyist
  
• Environmental Scientist
  
• Environmental Specialist
  
• Environmental Toxicologist
• Environmental Underwriter
• Field Chemist
• Food Protection Specialist
• Hazardous Waste Regulator
• Health Safety Officer
• Industrial Hygienist
• Infection Control Assistant
• Lab Technician
• Mosquito Control Specialist
• Pharmacologist
• Professor
• Public Health Specialist
• Quality Control Manager
• Radiation Safety Technician
• Research Assistant
• Research Scientist
• Safety Specialist
• Sales Coordinator
• Sanitarian
• Senior Science Assistant
• Soil and Water Conservation Specialist
• Textile Engineer
• Water/Wastewater Plant Operator/Director
• Wastewater Treatment Supervisor