With a growing consciousness around the world regarding the impact that we have on our environment, we are seeing more and more people looking to make a difference in the world.
If you have felt inspired by Greta Thunberg, want to learn more about the natural world and the relationship between man and nature, and want to pursue a career that’s increasingly in demand… an Environmental Science degree could be good for you.
What does an environmental degree involve?
Not only that, it also studies the relationship between man and nature and the impact humans are having on the environment. Students will study issues such as climate change, air and water pollution, sustainability, and conservation through a combination of laboratory and field-based work. You’ll learn to understand complex data in order to develop pioneering solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems.
So, that’s what you’ll do during your degree. But what about your career after you’ve graduated? Well, a degree in Environmental Science gives you the skills to pursue several career paths depending on what interests you and what you feel that you’re good at. With this in mind here are seven jobs that you can do with an environmental science degree:
Water quality scientist What does a water quality scientist do?
Day-to-day duties
Taking and testing water samples for quality and signs of contamination
Visiting sites of contaminations or pollution concern, investigating sources of contaminations in line with regulatory bodies
Giving advice on water treatment and contamination prevention to businesses and homes
A Water Quality Scientist typically works 9am-5pm, however some employers have 24-hour emergency incident coverage, so extra hours may be a regular occurrence.
Your job will involve quite a bit of travelling – to and from sites to do inspections and collect samples – and a lot of your work will be based outdoors.
Why it’s perfect for you
Expected s alary
Typical employers Drinking Water Inspectorate or the Environment Agency .
You can find jobs in this field on sites such as New Scientist Jobs , alongside more general job search sites.
Environmental engineer What does an environmental engineer do?
They produce technical solutions to environmental issues, such as helping to reduce flood risk, managing harmful pollutants, looking at water supply, and looking at the environmental impact of urban development projects.
You might think that you’d need an engineering degree to pursue this career, and you’d be right – most jobs do require that. However, you can get into this career with a relevant degree such as Environmental Science, through a graduate scheme or a postgraduate course .
Day-to-day duties
Gather, analyse, and review data samples and report it to the relevant authorities
Assess and report on the environmental impact of construction or commercial projects
Develop site-specific environmental protocols
Liaise with residents, local authorities and other professionals such as planners, construction companies, and landowners regarding the environmental impact of projects
Create plans to protect the environment in specific areas
Environmental engineers typically work 9am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, however due to the nature of the work and the possibilities for emergency situations, extra hours may be required.
Much of your work will be field/site based and there will be a fair amount of travelling involved in this job. You may even be needed to relocate for periods of time when working on a project.
Why it’s perfect for you
Expected s alary
Typical employers
You can also find work for regulators such as Environment Agencies or for private consultancy firms, who work on behalf of smaller building companies, who don’t have in-house engineers.
You can search for jobs on general job sites or through industry specific sites such as T he Society of Environmental Engineers .
Recycling officer What does a recycling officer do?
Day-to-day duties
Develop, manage and evaluate local recycling schemes and contracts
Manage budgets and write proposals for funding bids for schemes related to recycling
Keep up to date and ensure complicity with government waste regulations
Liaise with local businesses regarding recycling and waste disposal regulations
Develop education and marketing schemes to encourage local communities to recycle more
In this role, you’ll typically work normal office hours (9-5, Mon-Fri) however if you are running any special promotional events, or during busy periods, extra hours may be required.
A recycling officer’s job is predominantly office-based, writing reports and proposals, however it does involve getting out and about in the community and some site visits.
Why it’s for you
Expected s alary
Typical employers
You can find roles through general job sites and or through the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management jobs section.
Environmental education officer What does an environmental education officer do?
Day-to-day duties
Developing marketing strategies and materials for promoting environmental issues and solutions through social media, websites and events
Develop, promote and implement educational programmes for children and adults alike
Visit schools or community groups to give talks on environmental issues
Organise events to raise awareness in local communities, managing volunteers
Analyse environmental data and write reports
Manage budgets and projects related to environmental education
Working hours are normally 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday. This job is predominantly office based, though there will be regular visits to schools as part of your work.
Why it’s for you
Expected s alary
Typical employers The National Trust , Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund , or local and national government agencies.
You can find jobs on the websites of those organisations listed above, or on general job search sites.
Marine biologist What does a marine biologist do?
Day-to-day duties
Organising and carrying out specific field-based research projects
Monitoring numbers of sea life in specific underwater environments
Collecting and analysing samples, recording data and writing reports
Designing and carrying out specific scientific experiments
Communicating marine science news
Managing marine-life projects
Responding to emergency situations such as oil spills
Liaising with policy makers, fellow academics, marine based companies and local communities to inform and educate on marine environment issues
Working hours vary on the position you take, and whether you are out on a project in the field or working in the lab. Lab workers may work normal office hours, but when out in the field, longer hours may be a regular thing.
Long-distance travel is a regular part of this role, with opportunities to take part in research expeditions across the globe.
Why it’s for you
Expected s alary
Typical employers
You can search for jobs on industry-based search sites such as Nature Careers and Environment Jobs .
Nature conservation officer What does a nature conservation officer do?
Some officers may focus on the law enforcement side of the role, while others work on physically maintaining those natural environments.
Day-to-day duties
Educate the local community about nature conservation through visits to local schools, universities and community or site-specific events and initiatives
Develop and implement local nature conservation plans
Monitor, evaluate and report on the local natural habitats you manage
Liaise with landowners, planners, developers and policy makers regarding conservation projects and issues
Manage funding applications
Liaise with the media regarding nature conservation
There will be some office-based work involved, but there will also be plenty of time spent working outdoors in the natural environment you are managing.
You’ll typically work 40 hours per week in this role. This might include weekends and public holidays.
Why it’s for you
Expected salary
Typical employers Environment Agency (EA), the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Natural Resources Wales . Jobs may also be found with local councils and charities.
Sustainability consultant What does a sustainability consultant do?
This job role is now wanted more than ever as climate change is becoming the forefront of everyday issues, so there’ll be many opportunities available.
Day-to-day duties
Carrying out investigations in to how a business currently works, measuring their impact on the local (noise and air pollution) and global (carbon footprint) environment
Presenting findings to management staff
Developing solutions and working practices to present to companies for implementation
Ensuring companies are up to date with relevant regulations in their industry
Researching new technologies for improving sustainability within a business
This role is predominantly office based, although there will be site visits to the businesses you are consulting. Working hours are typically Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Why it’s for you
Expected salary
Typical employers
You could, once you have experience and a list of contacts, be able to set up your own consultancy business.
You can search for jobs on generic job sites or use an industry specific site like ACRE .
Key skills for environmental science careers
Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with ability to build good working relationships
Ability to analyse large amounts of data
Willingness and ability to travel for work
Good problem-solving abilities
Good organisation and project management skills
Attention to detail
Marketing skills
For marine biology jobs, swimming and diving ability
Knowledge of first aid
Further education and qualifications Environmental Engineering , Environmental Conservation and Environmental Assessment , amongst other things
To boost your career prospects, you could apply to become chartered through the Society for the Environment.
Where can you find environmental science degrees? undergraduate degree courses in the UK. Many are joint honours courses, allowing you to mix Environmental Science with subjects like Biology, Zoology and Geography. You can search for three year courses, or courses with placement years.
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