Aspiring environmental scientists should participate in at least one internship during college to gain valuable experience, explore career options, and make industry contacts, which could lead to a job offer after graduation.
Environmental scientists are avid learners and enjoy puzzling through problems to arrive at solutions. They have a deep appreciation for nature and a strong desire to improve the health and well-being of the environment and people. To thrive in this work, scientists need to have mental flexibility and be open to sharing information with other scientists and specialists when collaborating on projects. The work relies on strong, clear communication skills, both written and verbal. Strong knowledge of software programs is essential, and experience with data analysis and integration, and computer modeling is required. Fluency in a foreign language is also useful as more work is being conducted internationally.
- Agricultural Scientists
- Air Quality Engineers
- Animal Behaviorists
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Aquaculturists
- Aquarists
- Arborists
- Archaeologists
- Archivists
- Astrobiologists
- Astrogeologists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Bioinformatics Specialists
- Biologists
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biophysicists
- Biosecurity Monitors
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Biotechnology Research Assistants
- Botanists
- Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers
- Business Managers
- Cartographers
- Chemists
- Chief Sustainability Officers
- Civil Engineers
- Climate Scientists
- Corporate Climate Strategists
- CRISPR Scientists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Drug Developers
- Ecologists
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Energy Consultants
- Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Consultants
- Environmental Economists
- Environmental Education Program Directors
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lawyers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Restoration Planners
- Environmental Technicians
- EPA Special Agents
- Epidemiologists
- Epigenetics Researchers
- Fish and Game Wardens
- Forensic Meteorologists
- Foresters
- Forestry Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Fuel Cell Technology Workers
- Futurists
- Genetic Counselors
- Genetic Engineers
- Genetic Genealogists
- Genetic Scientists
- Geodetic Surveyors
- Geographers
- Geographic Information Systems Specialists
- Geological Technicians
- Geologists
- Geophysicists
- Geospatial Analytics Specialists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Hotel/Resort Ecomanagers
- Green Products Manufacturers
- Green Transportation Careers
- Grounds Managers
- Groundwater Professionals
- Hazardous Waste Management Specialists
- Hazardous Waste Management Technicians
- Historians
- Horticultural Inspectors
- Horticultural Technicians
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Indoor Environmental Health Specialists
- Industrial Ecologists
- Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Landscape Architects
- Landscapers
- Marine Biologists
- Medical Scientists
- Meteorologists
- Methane/Landfill Gas Collection System Operators
- Methane/Landfill Gas Generation System Technicians
- Microbiologists
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Museum Directors and Curators
- National Park Service Employees
- Naturalists
- Neuroscientists
- Nuclear Medicine Physicians
- Occupational Safety and Health Workers
- Oceanographers
- Paleontologists
- Park Rangers
- Pathologists
- Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
- Range Managers
- Recreation Workers
- Recycling and Reclamation Workers
- Recycling Coordinators
- Refuse Collectors
- Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists
- Remote Sensing Technicians
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Rewilders
- Soil Conservationists and Technicians
- Soil Scientists
- Solar Energy Industry Workers
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Space Meteorologist
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians
- Surveyors
- Veterinarians
- Wastewater Treatment Plant Operators and Technicians
- Water/Wastewater Engineers
- Wildland Firefighters
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Industry Workers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers
- Zoo and Aquarium Curators and Directors
- Zoologists