Become an Environmental Scientist
In today's increasingly green society, environmental scientists are in high demand. To become an environmental scientist, having a degree in the core sciences of chemistry and biology is beneficial, but not entirely necessary. The educational backgrounds of environmental scientists are as varied as the type of work they do. Some have strong backgrounds in more peripheral sciences, such as earth science and botany, while lobbyists and policy-makers may have backgrounds in law.
Instructions
1. Pursue an undergraduate degree based on your interest within the field of environmental science. Bachelor's degrees in life or earth science, hydrology, geology, botany, chemistry, atmospheric science, physics or geophysics are applicable to the job. While a bachelor's degree is sufficient training for some entry-level positions, a master's or doctoral degree in natural science is the standard in private industry.
2. Investigate schools that offer specific degrees in environmental science. Colleges and universities are increasingly offering courses of study that feature an interdisciplinary approach to teaching the natural sciences, emphasizing chemistry, geology and biology. Students interested in pursuing a career protecting the ecosystem should minor in geography and data analysis. Those looking to work in the field of regulation need additional coursework in areas like environmental law and waste management.
3. Become a volunteer for an environmental organization, like the World Environmental Organization, to get a sense of what's current in environmental science. Having a good grasp of the key issues in environmentalism is a necessity if you intend to find employment in the field. Many agencies rely on volunteers to help with research and data collection, but also have full-time employment opportunities.
4. Pursue a Master's degree or a Ph.D. to make yourself more competitive in the field. Both governmental and private-sector jobs give preference to candidates with advanced degrees. Since nearly half of all environmental scientists are in the employ of the government, not having an advanced degree may significantly limit your career options.
5. Use online resources to find an internship or job in your specialization. The Environmental Careers Organization website helps recent graduates find paid internships while website like EcoEmploy.com are entirely devoted to listing vacancies in the environmental-science field (see Resources below).
Tags: environmental science, environmental scientists, Become Environmental Scientist, earth science
