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SOCIAL SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS Careers in Environmental studies

What impact will increased tourism have on a local environment? Can good waste affect company profits? How do we make decisions about changing land use? Environmental studies is about society’s relationship with the environment.

Why study environmental studies? The environment affects us all, and the relationship “We are looking for students between society and the environment is crucial who have a fundamental to maintaining health and a good quality of life. To ensure that we understand how best to manage this interest in the environment and critical balance, we need smart professionals with a who hope to pursue a career deep knowledge of environmental issues. that shapes how we as a society The study of the environment involves both the interact with the environment.” social sciences and the natural sciences. Broadly, ‘environmental studies’, including environmental Programme Director, management, tends to focus on the how society BA in Environmental Management, interacts with the environment, how we can mitigate and respond to environmental problems, University of Manchester. and an understanding of the value of natural resources for society. In an era of increasing global Typically, courses will cover: uncertainty, from to population n The causes and effects of climate change and growth and dwindling natural resources, the what can be done to mitigate or adapt to them study of the environment and our role within it is n Environmental applications of geographical becoming more important than ever before. information systems (GIS) n Issues of What will I study at university? n The politics of the environment Because ‘the environment’ covers such a broad area, n Aspects of environmental courses can differ significantly from one university to another. It is important therefore to find out as much as you can about the particular content of a course before you apply. More than 40 institutions across the UK offer an environment-related degree, most of which are for or related subjects. Around 12 institutions offer degrees in environmental studies or environmental management. These can be either single honours degrees, or combined with a wide range of other subjects, including , business, media or law. SOCIAL SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS Careers in social science Environmental studies What skills will I gain? You will learn many skills directly related to environmental issues, but which are also highly transferable: n Gathering and analysis of data n Critical appraisal of information n Problem solving n Working effectively as part of a team

After my degree... what next? For anyone interested in a postgraduate degree in environmental studies, many courses are available Typical jobs for graduates in environmental studies leading to an MA or MSc qualification. Students include: may also find opportunities for PhD studentships. n Environmental manager n officer Graduates will find a range of careers available in n Business network officer environmental and management, from n Community project officer local and central government to private industry. n Leisure and parks facility manager Policy-makers and think-tanks employ people to n officer develop their stategy and audit environmental n Research assistant performance, whilst large companies in every n Environmental protection officer sector employ environmental managers to ensure n Environmental awareness assistant best practice and compliance with environmental n Water, energy and waste manager/technician regulations and guidelines. There are also many n Sustainable communications officer environmental consultancies that provide services to industry and local communities. Employers are looking for people with good project management skills who can work effectively in a team and who show awareness of Top tips from employers current trends and legislation. You need to be able n Try to do some voluntary work to show to draw connections from what you have learnt to interest, passion and experience in the sector applications in the business and consumer worlds. n Bring new insights – research and talk about how these could be applied to current and potential future environmental issues n Think about how you can relate environmental issues to the daily life of citizens and consumers, including yourself n Demonstrate that you can appreciate the broader issues relating to the environmental sector - do not retain a narrow focus. SOCIAL SCIENCE FOR SCHOOLS Further resources n The Society for the Environment (SocEnv) is n The Environment Agency is a public body the independent, not-for-profit organisation whose purpose is to protect and improve that sets and maintains the standard for the environment and promote sustainable the Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) development. The Environment Agency’s work qualification. An individual can apply to ranges from the restoration of rivers and become a Chartered Environmentalist other habitats to the prosecution of polluters. through membership of one of its Licensed www.environment-agency.gov.uk Professional Partners – IEMA, for example (see below). Student members of one of the n Living With Environmental Change (LWEC) is Society’s licensed professional bodies can a partnership of 22 public sector organisations benefit from support, mentorship and guidance that fund, carry out and use environmental on training and career progression. research and observations. The partner www.socenv.org.uk organisations include government departments and agencies and UK research councils. n The Institute of Environmental Management The purpose of LWEC is to ensure that and Assessment (IEMA) is the UK’s leading decision makers in government, business and environmental professional association. IEMA society have the knowledge, foresight and is dedicated to creating a sustainable future tools to mitigate, adapt to and benefit from through environmental skills, knowledge and environmental change. thought leadership and is an independent www.lwec.org.uk and international not-for-profit membership organisation that represents the views of n The Social, Technological and Environmental 15,000 environmental professionals. Its Pathways to Sustainability (STEPS) Centre membership is open to students. carries out interdisciplinary research projects www.iema.net and policy engagement activities with partners in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. The n WRAP is a not-for-profit company established Centre brings social and natural scientists in 2000 and backed by government funding together across and from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland science and technology studies, working in and and Wales. WRAP’s vision is a world without across the areas of food/agriculture, health/ waste, where resources are used sustainably. disease, water/sanitation and energy/climate It works in partnership to help businesses, change to generate new thinking and practical individuals and communities to improve solutions. resource efficiency. steps-centre.org www.wrap.org.uk