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

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

PLANNING Air Quality Federal, state, regional, and local government Get on planning boards, commissions, and Aviation Corporations committees. Building/Zoning Consulting firms Have a planning specialty (transportation, water Land-Use Banks resources, air quality, etc.). Consulting Real estate development companies Master communication, mediation and writing skills. Recreation firms Network in the community and get to know "who's Transportation Architectural firms who" in your specialty area. Water Resources Market research companies Develop a strong scientific or technical background. Colleges and universities Diversify your knowledge base. For example, in Nonprofit groups areas of law, , politics, historical preservation, or architecture.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNICATION Federal, state, and local government Master public speaking skills. Teaching Public and private elementary, middle, and high Learn certification/licensure requirements for teach- Journalism schools ing public K-12 schools. Tourism Two-year community colleges Develop creative hands-on strategies for teaching/ Law Regulation Four-year institutions learning. Compliance Corporations Publish articles in newsletters or newspapers. Political Action/Lobbying Consulting firms Learn environmental and regulations. Media Join professional associations and environmental Nonprofit organizations groups as ways to network. Political Action Committees Become active in environmental political organizations.

SOLID WASTE Federal, state, and local government Take some scientific or engineering courses. Engineering Private firms Choose an unusual material and think of creative Consulting firms ways to recycle or reuse it. Logistics Nonprofit organizations Planning Transportation Compliance (Environmental Studies/Science, Page 2)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

HAZARDOUS WASTE MANAGEMENT Hydrogeology Federal, state, and local government Consider double major in hard science or Quality Control Private companies that generate hazardous waste engineering. Assessment in production Attend public meetings on this issue. Environmental Engineering Hazardous waste management firms Get laboratory experience. Public and Consulting firms Gain computer expertise. Industrial Hygiene Nonprofit organizations Work in government office or regulatory agency. Law Get experience with technical writing. Get involved with local chapters of citizen watch Chemistry groups. Geology Become familiar with Superfund and its activities. Chemical Engineering Planning Compliance AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT Engineering Federal, state, and local government Develop a specific skill in the areas of engineering, Planning Private industry chemistry or laboratory work. Analytical Chemistry Consulting firms Work at state and local agencies as a way to start Environmental Quality Analysis Nonprofit organizations an air quality career. Meteorology Risk Assessment Safety and Health Management Toxicology Project Development Compliance WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT Aquatic Federal, state, and local government Get a strong chemistry background. Aquatic Toxicology Corporations Become familiar with high-tech tools. Law Consulting firms Develop computer skills. Biology Nonprofit organizations Focus on a specific technical field. Civil/Environmental Engineering Treatment plants Obtain laboratory skills. Hydrogeology and Hydrology Drinking Water Supply and Treatment Waste Water Treatment Groundwater Protection Surface Water Management Estuary Management Wetlands Protection Compliance Industrial Engineering (Environmental Studies/Science, Page 3)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

LAND AND WATER CONSERVATION Biology Federal, state, and local government Get a solid background in the basic sciences while Ecology Indian nations obtaining a broad-based education. Planning Utilities and timber companies Obtain legal, real estate, and financial skills through Geographic Information Systems Consulting firms coursework, internships or part-time jobs. Preserve Management Nonprofit organizations Volunteer through the Student Conservation Law Land trust organizations such as The Conser- Association (SCA) and hold an office. Natural Resource Management vancy or Trust for Public Land Keep up with new funding sources. Soil Conservation Consider law school for careers as counsel to envi- Land Acquisition ronmental organizations.

FISHERY AND WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT Aquaculture Federal, state, and local government Get a broad scientific education. Botany Marine sport fisheries Obtain skills in areas such as planning, administra- Data Management Utility companies tion, communications, and negotiation through Biology Developers coursework, internships or part-time jobs. Hatchery Management Timber companies Get experience and skills in computers, statistics Wildlife ranges and computer modeling. Ecology Scientific foundations Join the Peace Corps as a segue into federal govern- Education Zoological parks ment positions. Research Hunting and fishing clubs Get on government agencies' job registers. Planning Consulting firms Nonprofit organizations

PARKS AND OUTDOOR RECREATION Administration and Management National Park Service Get a broad-based education that will develop both Law Enforcement Federal agencies technical and interpersonal skills. Recreation Planning State, county or city parks Gain expertise in additional areas such as commu- Natural Resource Management Resorts nications, writing, fund-raising, negotiation and Research Marinas computer applications. Site Operations and Maintenance Privately owned facilities Obtain working knowledge of a foreign language Ecotourism Nonprofit organizations such as Spanish. Direct Mail Merchandising (Environmental Studies/Science, Page 4)

AREAS EMPLOYERS STRATEGIES

FORESTRY Consulting Federal, state, and local government Obtain skills with computers, statistics, and Entomology Consulting firms accounting through coursework, internships or Hydrology Timber companies part-time jobs. Natural Resource Management Nonprofit organizations Develop good communication and public relations Planning skills. Research Get a minor or double major in a technical area International (soil science, wildlife or surveying) or in an arts Urban Forestry and science area (business, economics, political scienceor computer science). Private firms Law degree required. 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 GENERAL INFORMATION • Environmental studies and 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 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 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) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer