What can I do with this degree?
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES/SCIENCE

AREAS

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.

GENERAL INFORMATION

• Environmental studies and environmental science differ from each other in the amount of science course work needed.
• Environmental studies provides a broad base of hard sciences as well as liberal arts or social science coursework.
• Environmental science incorporates hard sciences and environmental sciences.
• Choice depends upon career focus, for example, administration or policy-making versus technical areas or research.     
• Combine liberal arts skills with analytical skills to increase employability. Formally, obtain a double major in these areas or minor in one of these areas. Informally, obtain these skills through internships, co-ops, volunteer work, summer jobs or independent research projects.
• Be familiar with current environmental laws and regulations. Stay up-to-date with changing environmental legislation.
• Join related professional associations; read related literature and journals to keep
  up with new developments.
• Attend seminars, conferences and workshops     sponsored by professional associations or public interest groups.
• Network and get to know people who are working in area of interest.  
• Research agencies/organizations of interest before applying for a position.
• Learn local, state and federal government job application procedures.
• Obtain graduate degree for job security/advancement.  

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  (1996, Revised 2002, 2006) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer