Industrial Ecologists

The outlook for environmental scientists and specialists, a career field that includes industrial ecologists, is good. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts 7 percent employment growth, which is faster than the average for all careers, through 2033. Increased focus on environmental problems and remedies will mean more employment opportunities for industrial ecologists. Companies need their services to identify hazards caused by production processes and steps they can take for more sustainable, compliant practices. Population growth is also placing greater demands on the environment, requiring the expertise of ecology professionals to help monitor and maintain various environments and ecosystems to ensure public health and safety.

The Ecological Society of America also predicts good employment opportunities for ecologists in the years to come: "As environmental problems and the resolve to address them increase over time, more ecologists will be needed to better understand how ecosystems work, determine environmental impacts, develop management plans to avoid environmental problems and restore ecosystems, educate the general public, and develop and manage sustainable communities."

Private-sector consulting firms will offer the most job opportunities. The expanding population and its increasing demands on the environment will lead to jobs for ecologists who can determine the long- and short-term effects of infrastructure development and pollution on various ecosystems.

The International Society for Industrial Ecology states that industrial ecology "provides a powerful prism through which to examine the impact of industry and technology and associated changes in society and the economy on the biophysical environment." As a result, industrial ecologists will continue to be in demand to help companies reduce and prevent pollution, minimize waste, and conserve and use resources efficiently and sustainably.