Environmental science graduates work in consulting, government agencies, compliance and workplace safety, conservation and natural resources, water and air quality, sustainability, mapping and data, and education. Many first jobs are field or lab technician roles that build experience fast. Some scientist and research positions prefer a master’s degree, so internships, field skills and mapping software matter a lot when you start with a bachelor’s.
Skills you can put on a resume
- Field sampling: collecting soil, water, air or wildlife data by the book, in all weather.
- Lab methods: handling samples, following procedures and keeping clean records.
- Mapping and data: GIS, spreadsheets and basic statistics.
- Understanding regulations: how environmental rules work and what companies must report.
- Technical writing: turning messy field notes into a report someone else can rely on.
Entry-level directions
Out in the field
- Environmental field technician: samples sites for consulting firms, often tied to construction, cleanup or property sales.
- Water quality technician: monitors drinking water, wastewater or streams for utilities and agencies.
- Wildlife, fisheries or forestry technician: often seasonal at first, with land and resource agencies.
Rules, safety and compliance
- Environmental compliance specialist: helps a company meet permits and reporting rules.
- Environmental health and safety coordinator: works on workplace safety and environmental programs at plants, campuses and construction firms.
- Permitting or inspection roles: at city, county and state agencies.
Data, policy and people
- GIS technician: builds maps and spatial data for planners, utilities and conservation groups.
- Data analyst: turns monitoring and survey data into findings, once you add solid data skills. See how to become a data analyst.
- Sustainability coordinator: runs energy, waste and purchasing programs for organizations.
- Environmental educator or park interpretation: teaches visitors and students at parks, nature centers and nonprofits.
Where a graduate degree or license comes in
- Environmental scientist and hydrologist roles: many employers prefer a master’s for more senior or research-heavy positions.
- Research and university teaching: generally require a doctorate.
- Professional geologist: some states license geologists, which involves exams and experience.
- Environmental engineer: usually requires an engineering degree and, for many roles, a professional engineering license, so it is a separate track.
- Environmental law: requires law school. See how to become a lawyer.
- Teaching science in high school: requires a state license. See how to become a teacher.
Not sure whether a master’s is worth it yet? Work a year or two first and read should I go to grad school.
Building a stronger profile while in school
- Take a field methods course or a summer field job. Seasonal crews hire students and teach a lot quickly.
- Take at least one GIS course and build a small mapping project you can show.
- Add chemistry, statistics or data skills; they separate candidates fast.
- Join a professor’s research, even washing sample bottles at first. Start at office hours.
- Get comfortable driving, working outdoors and following safety procedures, because field jobs require it.
- Find an internship with a consulting firm, utility or agency. See college internships.
If you are out of school and stuck
- Apply for seasonal and contract technician roles as an on-ramp; they often lead to permanent jobs.
- Look at consulting firms that do site assessments, which hire entry-level techs regularly.
- Expect government applications to move slowly, and keep applying elsewhere while you wait.
- Do informational interviews with people two or three years into the field.
- Read what to do if you are unemployed after graduation for a weekly search routine.
Worries worth talking about
Are there real jobs, or is it all passion? There are real jobs, especially in compliance, consulting, water and safety, and they reward technical skills more than enthusiasm. Will I be outdoors all the time? Early roles often are; many later roles are more office and data work. For outlook on environmental occupations, see the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps environmental science students pick a direction, plan field jobs, internships and applications, and stay accountable through a job search that can be slow. Mentors are not admissions counselors or credentialed career counselors. Learn about mentoring for college students and our career and education focus.
Related
- College majors guide
- What can you do with a biology degree?
- What can you do with a public health degree?
- Career path guides
Common questions
Is environmental science a good degree?
It can be, especially paired with field experience, GIS and data skills. Those make you competitive for technician, compliance and consulting jobs.
Do I need a master’s in environmental science?
Not to start. Many entry-level jobs hire bachelor’s graduates, while senior scientist and research roles often prefer a master’s.
What is the difference between environmental science and environmental engineering?
Environmental science studies natural systems and human impact. Environmental engineering designs solutions, such as treatment systems, and usually requires an engineering degree.
Are environmental jobs mostly seasonal?
Some field jobs are, especially in natural resources. Consulting, compliance, utility and safety jobs are usually year round.
Get started
Studying environmental science and want help planning field jobs and applications? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.