Environmental Scientist

Posted by ERUDIO in Environmental Scientist on Dec 9th, 2009

When you look at our world, you see green— a health need, a solution need, a people need.

Because we don't think about future generations, they will never forget us.---Henrik Tikkanen

You saw green— you studied mountaintop leveling in the coal industry. It was your report that shocked the public and brought the congressional hearings to stop destroying the mountains and filling the valleys with choking acidic waste.

You saw green. You saw a way to help people avoid polluted air, bad air that might sicken them, or aggravate health conditions like asthma, or worse. It was your network of environmental sensors— sensors to help people avoid air pollution hot spots— that provide up-to-the-minute information on outdoor and indoor air quality, based on environmental information collected by hundreds, and eventually thousands, of sensors carried by commuters.

Everywhere, you see green. You spend your days striving to merge the cyber and physical worlds, to create green solutions for healthier people.

You look around your world every day, and see a dozen ways to improve health conditions, to fight pollution hazards and impact problems.

You are an Environmental Scientist.

Or if not, and if healing your world appeals to you deeply, then you could be one.

Earning an Environmental Science degree is definitely a growth profession. One of high critical need.

Environmental scientists conduct research to identify, abate, and eliminate hazards that affect people, wildlife, and their environments. They analyze measurements or observations of air, food, water, and soil to determine the way to clean and preserve the environment.

female evironmental scientist

Understanding the issues involved in protecting the environment—degradation, conservation, recycling, and replenishment—is central to the work of environmental scientists.

They often use this understanding to design and monitor waste disposal sites, preserve water supplies, and reclaim contaminated land and water to comply with Federal environmental regulations. They also write risk assessments, describing the likely affect of construction and other environmental changes; write technical proposals; and give presentations to managers and regulators.

Much job growth will also result from a continued need to monitor the quality of the environment, to interpret the impact of human actions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and to develop strategies for restoring ecosystems.

Also, much environmental study will be needed to help planners develop and construct buildings, transportation corridors, and utilities that protect water resources and reflect efficient and beneficial land use.

And the salaries offered are high. Take a look at recent median annual earnings of environmental scientists

Some environmental scientists earn a degree in environmental science.

Many, however, earn degrees in life science, chemistry, geology, geophysics, atmospheric science, or physics and then apply their education to the environment. They often need research or work experience related to environmental science.

Environmental scientists who work on policy formation may help identify ways that human behavior can be modified in the future to avoid such problems as ground-water contamination and depletion of the ozone layer.

Some environmental scientists work in managerial positions, usually after spending some time performing research or learning about environmental laws and regulations.

A bachelor’s degree in environmental science offers an interdisciplinary approach to the natural sciences, with an emphasis on biology, chemistry, and geology.

Undergraduate environmental science majors typically focus on data analysis and physical geography, which are particularly useful in studying pollution abatement, water resources, or ecosystem protection, restoration, and management.

Understanding the geochemistry of inorganic compounds is becoming increasingly important in developing remediation goals. Students interested in working in the environmental or regulatory fields, either in environmental consulting firms or for Federal or State governments, should take courses in hydrology, hazardous-waste management, environmental legislation, chemistry, fluid mechanics, and geologic logging, which is the gathering of geologic data.

Testing water for contaminates

An understanding of environmental regulations and government permit issues also is valuable for those planning to work in mining and oil and gas extraction.

About 35 percent of environmental scientists were employed in State and local governments; 21 percent in management, scientific, and technical consulting services; 15 percent in architectural, engineering and related services; and 8 percent in the Federal Government. About 2 percent were self-employed.

A bachelor’s degree in an earth science is adequate for a few entry-level positions, but environmental scientists increasingly need a master’s degree in environmental science, hydrology, or a related natural science.

A master’s degree also is the minimum educational requirement for most entry-level applied research positions in private industry, in State and Federal agencies, and at State geological surveys.

A doctoral degree generally is necessary for college teaching and most research positions. The highest 10 percent earn close to $100,000, yearly, and that is rising.

Environmental science is definitely a growth area. Green science is on the forefront of the global battle against climate change.

If you want to earn a degree promising high salary,and job security (in a profession of great need and high public gratitude), environmental science could be the door to your future.

There’s no better time to get started than right now. The earth cannot wait— it’s people need you!

Information on training and career opportunities for environmental scientists is available from: