An Excerpt from The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century

By The Environmental Careers Organization
Kevin Doyle, Editor (Island Press, 1999)

Let's say you are a college freshman with an interest in wildlife, or a career changer returning to school to pursue a watershed protection career. You're likely to ask, "What kind of degree should I get?" It's a commonsense question. After all, education is an expensive proposition in time and money, and you want to be sure that it leads to the right job for you…

Thinking About Education and Careers   |   Choosing The Right Educational Level   |   Selecting A School   |   Selecting A Major   |   Selecting Courses And Other Experiences

THINKING ABOUT EDUCATION AND CAREERS

Career advisers agree that the more specific you are about what you want, and the more information you have about employer needs, the easier it will be for you to plan your education. This is a commonsense observation, but one that is rarely acted on. Most of us make up our educational path as we go along, inspired or discouraged by the last class we took, the advice of a professor, or the results of a summer internship. Some serendipity is inevitable, even desirable. A steady diet of unplanned choices, however, and you reach graduation day with a degree in hand but little idea about what comes next. You can avoid this outcome. Spend a little time right now thinking about the environmental work you would most like to do. Be as specific as you can. To prime the pump, read about the work of environmental professionals. Go to conferences. Surf the Web regularly for career information. Read the ads in environmental job listings like Earth Work Magazine, Environmental Career Opportunities, and The Job Seeker. Meet people who are doing the work you might want to do and don't be bashful about dreaming big. You may want to lead treks in Costa Rica or Nepal, start an environmental technology business, work with wildlife in Montana, or study the coastal regions of the South Pacific. There are already people making a good living in those areas. Why not you? Go for it!

As you meet environmental professionals, always ask, "What advice do you have for me about education?" Ask about needed certifications and degrees and for opinions about schools. Ask professionals to rate different skills and abilities in priority order. What is crucial to know now and what can be picked up later? People who are actually doing work successfully in the field are the very best source of good advice. It's best to go straight to the practitioners. Better yet, combine many different information sources to get a complete picture.

"Planning your education can be a daunting task, but you'll be glad you did it. There are very few people who create an educational plan that links school to clear career ambitions. Any amount of thinking you do will put you ahead of the pack."

Your education, of course, is not only about career preparation. Undergraduate work, in particular, is also about growing as a person, exposing yourself to new ideas, challenging your prejudices, fueling the fires of political involvement, and learning "how to learn." Your education is also a time for exploring visions of a better world that may seem impossible today. The ability to envision new realities and not be limited by today's constraints is one of the most valuable products of a good education. You must also allow for a social life and the part-time jobs that help pay for all this learning. Planning your education can be a daunting task, but you'll be glad you did it. There are very few people who create an educational plan that links school to clear career ambitions. Any amount of thinking you do will put you ahead of the pack. It also feels good to know why you're in school, and what you plan to do with your education.

As you review your educational choices, keep the following general trends in mind:

Jobs without college. Environmental employers offer some positions for people without a college degree, particularly in the fields of waste management, recycling, parks, and forestry.

More associate degree programs. Respect has grown for graduates from quality two-year degree programs, creating employment opportunities for environmental technicians and putting employment pressure on new undergraduates in fields such as chemistry and biology. Graduates of technician programs are competitive for entry-level positions, but will need additional education for career advancement.

Differing opinions on interdisciplinary undergraduate training. While there is general agreement about the need for skills and knowledge that cross many disciplines, judgments are mixed about the career preparation value of current interdisciplinary undergraduate programs in environmental studies and environmental science. (See the discussion on undergraduate education, later in this chapter).

Graduate education often needed. Employment in scientific and engineering fields above the entry level almost always requires a master's degree. Within the sciences, those with MS degrees (and above) in fields like conservation biology, ecosystems management, industrial ecology, and other "multi-media" approaches are particularly in demand. Engineers with specialties in land restoration, industrial/chemical processes, and agricultural engineering issues are particularly in demand, although environmental and civil engineers are also needed.

Combination degrees are in demand. People who combine science with non-science degrees (e.g., law, business, communications, and policy) are extremely competitive in all sectors. John R. Cook, Jr., president of the Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) sees degree combinations, especially at the master's level, as one of the most important educational trends in environmental and conservation fields. "Employers are looking for people who combine real expertise in more than one area," Cook says. He adds that, "Instead of choosing between someone who knows their science and someone who is good at business or politics, the best employers want people who can master both." Combining a science or engineering degree with an M.B.A. makes a particularly attractive package.

Skills everyone needs. You must have strong computer skills to be competitive. In addition, an ability to communicate will, in writing and through verbal presentations, is crucial to success in every field.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT EDUCATIONAL LEVEL

One of the first things you'll want to learn about different career paths is the educational level required to secure a full-time position in the field you choose to pursue. As you read through the chapters in this book, look for information on which jobs can be done by people with associate degrees and undergraduate diplomas and which require graduate education.

Community Colleges and Vocational Programs. Associate degree programs help aspiring environmental professionals in two ways. First, two-year programs serve as final degrees for careers in a wide range of environmental protection and conservation fields. Second, community colleges prepare students for transfer to undergraduate schools for two more years of study.

If you are interested in an immediate, technician-level job in environmental fields such as hazardous waste management, water and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, geographic information systems, recycling, site remediation, and "environmental technologies," you should examine community colleges.

Community college programs are focused on preparation for today's jobs, which means curricula must be current to attract students. The best programs create employment relationships with local and regional employers and offer well-organized internships. They use adjunct faculty from employers and the most current technology and lab equipment. In addition, community college graduates often come to employers with certified training in health and safety procedures that companies would otherwise have to pay for themselves. Finally, staff and faculty at community colleges take very seriously the career placement aspect of their work and the best programs pride themselves on 100 percent job or college placement rates.

Community college graduates in technical fields come to employers with another perceived advantage - they have trained themselves in environmental technology fields as a career, as opposed to undergraduate students who may see technician positions as a short-term step on the career ladder. With community college graduates, turnover rates are expected to be lower and job satisfaction may be higher.

Two-year degree programs are not limited to environmental protection fields. They are also popular as career preparation for technicians in the conservation world. If a desire to spend time outdoors motivates you to consider an environmental career, then definitely look into two-year programs in fisheries, forestry, parks and recreation, wildlife, range management , and landscape architecture. Environmental professionals with a master's degree may find themselves back at the office dealing with paper and people, while a small army of technicians does the outdoor field work that drew them to the field in the first place.

"Is the school accredited? What is the placement rate of its graduates and where are they today? Are students really getting the jobs the school claims to train people for?"

If you think community college education might fit your career aspirations, there are a few questions to ask about any school you are considering. Is the school accredited? What is the placement rate of its graduates and where are they today? Are students really getting the jobs the school claims to train people for? Don't depend on information from the school alone. Talk to recent graduates and local employers before making any decisions.

Community colleges are, without question, becoming a more important part of the higher education scene in environmental careers. There is a downside, however. There is almost always a ceiling on advancement for two-year graduates. If you want to move up, you will almost certainly need an undergraduate degree or higher.

Many environmental programs at community colleges prepare students specifically for transfer to a four-year institution. Often there are arrangements with universities whereby acceptance is practically guaranteed and all credits earned transfer automatically. If attendance at a specific four-year school is already in your plans, check on transfer requirements so that you can make good class choices in your first two years.

Undergraduate Education. Community college programs are usually focused on preparation for an immediate job after graduation. Graduate, professional, and doctoral programs (when well-designed) prepare people for career specialties. Then there is the undergraduate degree - the degree of choice for most new graduates. The relationship between undergraduate education and career preparation is much less clear.

People with newly minted undergraduate degrees are the most likely to complain that they can't find a permanent, entry-level environmental or conservation job in their field. Above them, the field seems crowded with more experienced people and graduate degree holders. Below them, are technicians, temporary and seasonal employees, interns, and volunteers. Around them are thousands of other new undergraduates from the nation's 2,400 degree granting institutions.

Newly graduated B.S. holders enter a world in which their new degree is necessary to be considered for a lot of openings, but not sufficient to land a job. Their diplomas say they are environmental scientists, but their training may be too general and the technology they use many not be "cutting edge." The number of good field courses their school offered was probably limited. They may be intelligent, passionate, and ready to work, but they can't find environmental jobs that pay a decent wage. People are already telling them to go the graduate school and spend more time and money on education.

Of course, many new bachelor's degree graduates avoid this fate. They move directly into a challenging job or graduate school without missing a beat. What can you do to increase your chances of being in this category? Good decisions along the way are crucial. Some of the most important decisions you will make involve the school you select, the academic major you choose, and the collection of courses and work experiences you develop. Below are some ideas gathered from employers and educators to help you these critical decisions.

SELECTING A SCHOOL

Consider Schools with a Variety of Good Environmental Programs. Undergraduates tend to change their minds as quickly as their major. You may have a better chance of landing on your feet if you select a school with more than one quality program in the environmental and conservation fields.

Consider Schools that Have Reputable Graduate Programs in Your Field of Choice. A school that has an excellent graduate department in, for example, ecology, can be a good place to pursue and undergraduate degree as well. If you know what major you want to pursue, the presence of graduate students, research facilities, and well-known faculty may help your education.

Linking School Location with Geographic Work Preference. It is often to your advantage to attend school in the region where you would like to work after graduation. In this way, you can begin to seek out potential employers while in school. It will be easy to search for internships and permanent positions, and the chances are good that your school will have alumni working for firms in the region. College faculty members may be researching issues in the region. Part-time faculty members may even have full-time jobs in firms or agencies that are potential or current employers of the program's graduates.

Researching Colleges and Programs. Over the past three decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the diversity of programs and the number of colleges offering them. Where should you start? A number of good college directories are listed in the Resources section at the end of this chapter to help you, and there is great information available on the Internet. To whet your imagination, run a few "keyword" searches using a good search engine such as AltaVista, at www.altavista.digital.com. If you are interested in wildlife biology, for example, run a search for "wildlife biology undergraduate programs."

SELECTING A MAJOR

"Right or wrong, many employers and graduate school selectors in traditional scientific fields question whether interdisciplinary programs are rigorous enough to prepare scientists for 'their' field."

A lot of environmental workers use scientific knowledge in their work. Many fewer, however, are working scientists who "do science" every day. If you want to be part of the latter group, especially in consulting or the academic world, you may want to choose a traditional major (e.g., biology, chemistry, ecology, and earth science), as opposed to an interdisciplinary degree. Right or wrong, many employers and graduate school selectors in traditional scientific fields question whether interdisciplinary programs are rigorous enough to prepare scientists for "their" field. Charlie Anderson, vice president of TRC (a national consulting firm) told job seekers at a 1998 workshop that, "We prefer people with science and engineering backgrounds. We like to know that they have a strong technical base." Don't let this keep you from interdisciplinary work within a traditional major. A person with a B.S. in chemistry may take many of the same courses as an environmental science graduate, however, when the time arrives to look for a job, the person is a chemist and that still counts for something.

Find out now whether working professionals in your field generally require a graduate degree. Do you want to be a wetlands ecologist, conservation biologist, geneticist, marine ecologist, atmospheric scientist, agricultural engineer, wildlife scientist, process engineer, toxicologist, or environmental lawyer? Professionals in all these fields say that a graduate degree is essential. That's not going to change in the next few years. This means that an important goal for undergraduates in these fields is getting into a good graduate program. This will affect your class choices, internships, research projects, and faculty relationships.

Environmental chemistry, ecology, conservation biology, and engineering (environmental or chemical) are strong degrees for environmental employment on the technical side. Selecting a major is a personal decision. Only you can decide what's best for you. On a purely career basis, however, you couldn't go wrong with any well-planned curriculum in any of the four fields just mentioned if you are technically inclined. You will be well prepared for employment or graduate school.

For nonscientists, an interdisciplinary degree may be the best education. Quality varies, however, so research your options carefully. Over 250 colleges and universities offer environmental studies and environmental science degrees. The theory behind these programs is solid: Environmental issues involve complex interactions among economic, social, spiritual, political, legal, technological, and ecological variables. No one discipline can possibly claim to properly educate an environmental professional, so a new type of interdisciplinary education is required. This is fair enough. However, the problem is that there is little agreement on what an interdisciplinary environmental education should involve, and what career or graduate study such a degree prepares one for. This makes interdisciplinary programs hard to assess from the student's point of view. Many of these programs are a collection of already existing classes put together (and renamed) to take advantage of the intense interest undergraduates have shown in the environment. Others were begun by a particular department (e.g., geology, biology, and political science) and bear the imprint of that source. Still others are too new to judge accurately.

This doesn't mean that interdisciplinary degree holders don't get good jobs. Many government agencies and nonprofit organizations, in fact, prefer them. With each passing year, employers have more experience with interdisciplinary degrees, and academics learn more about how to structure learning that balances career requirements against other educational goals. If you are thinking of pursuing an interdisciplinary degree, ask the program office for information on where the last three years of graduates are working as well as the names of any employer contacts. Ask recent graduates directly whether they would have done anything differently. Then, sit down with an adviser early on and talk about your career goals. You should do this anyway, but in an interdisciplinary program it's essential.

Finally, take great care with your internships. With a traditional degree, employers feel that they know what they are getting. Graduates from interdisciplinary programs don't always get the benefit of the doubt. Demonstrating your abilities through job experience becomes even more important. You will be drilled to prove your actual skills.

If you choose a social science, humanities, or professional degree, don't worry too much about the "environmental" adjective. "Environmental" journalism is a good example. Yes, it is a professional specialty, and classes that address it specifically are a good idea. Employers of undergraduates, however, will be more concerned about whether or not you are, in general, a good journalist than in the specifically environmental background you bring to the table. Focus on becoming a good journalist first. The same is true for photographers, filmmakers, marketers, economists, computer scientists, political scientists, communicators, managers, and fundraisers.

SELECTING COURSES AND OTHER EXPERIENCES

Plan a multi-year collection of courses, field work, internships, and international opportunities as early as you can, even if you end up changing it. Don't make your class selections on a semester-by-semester basis. For four years your goal is to get the best education you can. A lot of that time will be prescripted for you by graduation and major requirements. A great deal of it, however, is up to you. Using the advice you've received from people in your field, and your own desires, try to plot out a plan for the whole multi-year experience. Do you want to take a semester abroad? Are there courses that are only taught at special times, but are required? It's hard to fit everything in. Your time at school is shorter than it might seem!

As soon as a field interests you, find a successful professional mentor. Don't depend on your teachers, career counselors, and fellow students to give you career guidance. Find someone in the field who is willing to help you. Have lunch with him or her once a month or so. Ask questions about your class choices, and share your concerns about what you're learning (or not).

While you're in school, put together a special project on the career experiences of recent graduates from your school and major. This is especially helpful for environmental undergraduates who are not pursuing science and engineering careers. Nothing is more informative than the real-life experience of recent students from your own, and related, departments. You will be doing yourself, and your classmates, a real service by researching the career paths of graduates from the last one to five years. If you can, bring them back to campus as guest speakers to talk about what they have learned. Put together a web site that allows current students to interact with alums who are out there in the "real world." A project like this should be worthy of college credit. Talk to your adviser or a friendly professor about this option.

Selecting a good school, choosing the right major for you, developing a quality curriculum of courses and other experiences are all part of the formula for undergraduate success. However, if you are less than successful in following this advice, you can still emerge ready to pursue a satisfying career. No one expects an undergraduate to emerge from school perfectly prepared for the workforce or graduate school. If you founder a bit trying to find yourself, take a collection of courses that seemed like a good idea at the time, or focus too intently in one area at the expense of a more rounded education, don't worry about it too much. In three years, your undergraduate career will be ancient history, and employers will only want to know what you can do for them today.

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