DR. BEAUCHAMP & HIS CAREER

What inspired you to become involved in the environmental field? How did you break into the field of environmental management?

I wanted to become a geologist and was very interested in the environment at an early age. I remember also being intrigued by nature and how rocks were formed. Later, when studying for my undergraduate and master's degrees in geology at George Washington University, I became associated with an adjunct professor who worked at the Smithsonian Institution. He hired me as his assistant in 1965, and I was enormously grateful to have had the opportunity to gain experience at one of the world's premier research institutions.

Tell us about where you've worked and how each step has led to the position you now hold as Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental Management at the University of Maryland.

After serving as assistant to a curator at the Smithsonian Institution while studying for my bachelors and masters degrees, I was hired by the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office to become an oceanographer studying ocean dynamics. This research led to examining impacts of naval activities on the environment, both oceanic and coastal. Subsequently, I worked for the U.S. Department of the Interior to identify environmental impacts from oil, gas, and metal development along the eastern and western seaboards of the continental United States, as well as Alaska.

After receiving my PhD in geology from the University of Maryland, College Park, I worked from 1990-94 for Waste Management as program manager overseeing operations associated with contamination clean-up and prevention at WM facilities throughout the southeastern United States. In 1994, I was hired to manage the Environmental and Waste Management curriculum in the Technology Management graduate program. In 1996, I expanded the studies to become the separate master of science program in environmental management at the University of Maryland University College.

What do you consider to be the greatest accomplishment of your career? How about the greatest setback?

Honestly, no singular accomplishment of mine stands out above the rest. Everything I've done in environmental research, management, and teaching has been rewarding to me! Certainly, to share what I have learned with others - and continue to learn - has been enormously gratifying. I don't believe I have had any great setbacks in this field, only opportunities.

Is there more still that you want to accomplish in your career?

Yes, there is much more to accomplish. I wish to continue my work making this UMUC program the best learning experience a student would ever expect to receive. I also wish to design and implement an MS degree in Energy Resources Management and Policy, as well as to continue my research in pollution prevention and phyto-remediation.

Do you have a personal environmental philosophy?

Respect and care for the environment. I'd daresay this philosophy is held by many in the field of environmental management, and if it isn't, perhaps through my efforts others will share that vision.

THE ACTUAL WORK

Can you describe a typical day in the life of an environmental manager?

The typical day is busy work. The environmental manager is in close communication with those actually doing environmental work in the field. It's the manager's job to build a team and foster a close working relationship within it, to schedule work, monitor progress, and communicate frequently with workers, stakeholders, and upper level managers to keep them apprised.

As an environmental manager, how much time did you spend in the office, in the field, on the road?

As an environmental manager, one would spend the majority of his or her time in the office with frequent visits to the field to observe progress of work there. As an academic, I also spend the majority of my time in the office, but I do get out in the field to observe environmental work and to conduct research. I enjoy that.

Could you break it down a little more? For example, as an environmental manager, you would spend perhaps 75% of your time in the office, 20% in the field and 5% on the road.

The numbers you cited are pretty close; however, it can depend on the type and size of the project. A small project may not require much time in the field (10-15%), whereas a very complicated project may require as much as 50% of your time in the field. More time may be spent in the field early on in a project to assist in defining the problem.

You've worked for Waste Management, the US Navy, and the Department of the Interior. What are some of the most interesting projects you've personally worked on?

I worked on some very interesting projects throughout my career. My favorites for the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office were developing a model to study naval impacts on the environment, studying the dynamics of sediment/contamination transport in the marine environment, and examining the effects of sound on whales. At the Department of the Interior, I found identifying environmental impacts from oil, gas, and metal development very interesting. And, at Waste Management I found it both challenging and rewarding to clean up highly contaminated sites and facilities to safeguard the environment.

You're the founder of the Atlanta Geological Society and a member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals. How important is it to belong to professional organizations?

Belonging to an environmental professional organization is very important in that you can gain understanding of what other professionals in your field are doing and stay current. I have been a member of the National Association of Environmental Professionals since 1996 and of the Atlanta Geological Society since 1991. Both organizations have provided me the opportunity to contribute papers and workshops at conferences on prevention of environmental pollution. Networking through professional organizations is invaluable.

EDUCATION INFORMATION & ADVICE

Environmental Management is a very broad field of study. What's the difference between getting an undergraduate or graduate degree in EM as opposed to other cross-disciplinary degrees, like Environmental Science and Environmental Studies?

If one pursues a degree in environmental management, he or she will receive an emphasis on management, whereas a cross-disciplinary degree would provide more courses in science.

Your own degrees (BS, MS and PhD) are all in Geology. Did being a specialist hinder your career in environmental management at all? Would you do anything different with your education in retrospect?

Being a specialist in geology did not hinder my career. Indeed, it gave me an in-depth understanding of earth and biological processes and how they relate to the environment. Would I do anything different? No, I believe I made the right choices.

What advice can you give to prospective students thinking about an education and career in environmental management?

My advice would be to begin studying a field, such as biology, chemistry, geology, etc., in the environment you like the most. Also, interact with people who work and study the environment. It is important to have a mentor; someone who can guide and help direct your efforts to work in the environmental field. I was fortunate to have one early on in my career. Volunteering to assist in environmental programs is also very helpful.

What factors should prospective environmental students consider when choosing a program?

They really should consider only programs at accredited colleges/universities with experienced teachers. Quality programs are available online, for example, at UMUC, so really distance is not a factor to deter anyone today from pursuing higher education in the environmental field at the best schools.

Based on what you hear in the industry, what do you think are the most respected programs for environmental management that really make a difference to students who graduate from these schools?

The most respected programs are ones that offer practical knowledge in solving real environmental problems. In other words, programs that have just theory aren't much good in the "real world."

Certainly, I would mention our school, which is UMUC. Most other schools focus on environmental science with some emphasis on management. They include University of Maryland at College Park, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Johns Hopkins, and Duke University's School of Environment, to mention a few. There are many more throughout the nation. I am not aware of any rankings.

Does it make a difference in the industry to graduate from a prestigious school? Why or why not?

"Prestigious schools," in the Ivy League, for example, don't necessarily have the best programs in the environmental field. Oftentimes, like anything else, it's the people and programs that focus on "life in the trenches" that are the most beneficial.

JOB INFORMATION & ADVICE

What kinds of jobs are available for those graduating with a degree in environmental management?

Just a bachelor's degree in environmental management qualifies individuals for entry-level positions, generally working in the field, which many people enjoy and find fulfilling for many years. With years of experience, those individuals might also become project or program managers.

With a master's degree, there is more opportunity to work as environmental program managers, environmental specialists, project managers, and advocates for the environment, to name a few positions, earlier in their career. A PhD would provide you the opportunity to conduct research in a specialized field, better enable you to compete for program/project management positions in conjunction with years of experience, or qualify you to teach.

You've worked in the governmental, private and academic sectors. From your experience, what can you tell us about the similarities and differences in working for each?

Government work can be very broad and provide an opportunity to work on very large projects and programs, as well as those with a direct effect on communities. Therefore, these are often of a regulatory nature. Industry may require either broad or very specific environmental project experience, usually focusing on bringing the project to completion expeditiously. Environmental programs in any of these sectors have a very high public profile. Finally, academia emphasizes developing quality environmental education programs that are very current and not only which students can learn from but fulfill their expectations, as well. It's always nice when students really enjoy their studies, too!

For those wanting to break into environmental management as a career field, what advice can you give as far as which sector to target for employment?

Certainly, it would depend on each individual's particular interest. All sectors of government, business/industry, and private interest groups require environmental professionals.

What's the pay scale for someone just starting a career in EM? How about for those at the senior level?

Like everything else, pay really depends upon education and experience. Entry level in the environmental field is around $30,000. Then it depends on what you know and how well you perform. Some salaries might reach $50,000-$90,000.

What advice can you give regarding the best ways to find a job in the field?

To find a job in the environmental field, one can access Web sites of government agencies, review environmental want ads in newspapers, and network in professional societies.

How is the job market right now? How do you think it will be in the next five years? 10 years?

I feel the job market is good now. It will probably remain flat for a while, but it should definitely grow.

What are the hottest specialties within the field of environmental management right now? What do you think they will be in the next 10 years?

Developing environmental system plans, pollution prevention, remedial technologies, and waste minimization are hot fields now. International environmental management will grow in the future because of the emphasis on our being a global society.

INDUSTRY TRENDS

What are some trends that you see in the field that might help prospective students?

Trends are in the international environmental field, where there does appear to be growth for environmental science and management. For example, increased public awareness and donors such as the World Bank are creating opportunities for environmental work in developing countries. I feel that environmental professionals should keep an eye on these opportunities. Much experience can be gained from working on environmental problems in developing countries.

What do you consider to be the three most challenging environmental problems facing environmental management professionals today?

Problems include staying abreast of environmental laws, new environmental technologies, and management techniques through environmental education.

How have computers and the Internet affected the everyday life of an environmental management professional?

Computers are certainly making things a lot easier, but one must be able to discriminate between "good" and "bad" information. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Web site certainly provides valuable information on environmental protection, environmental technologies, and environmental programs that the Agency carries out. But, just like anything else, one must be careful not to buy into just anything on the Internet. It is only a tool to provide information.

If you have any questions related to careers and education in environmental management, you may contact Dr. Beauchamp at rbeauchamp@umuc.edu.

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EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information about the educational and career outlook for Environmental Management majors, click here.