WHAT IS ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNICATIONS?
Environmental Communications pertains to any profession which communicates an environmental or scientific message. This message can range from conservation of resources to promotion of products to education about community programs and anywhere in between, and environmental communications professionals are working in every sector of the economy from the largest corporations to the smallest newspapers.
The field is becoming more and more important as the stakes have become greater and greater and the tools for communicating become more diverse. Corporations, government agencies, and conservation organizations all compete for public support, and the art of "spinning" complex and often conflicting environmental information for public consumption has become a sophisticated profession. Effective communication of an environmental message can determine the fate of an environmental campaign at any level - local, regional, national or global.
WHAT ARE THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?
Environmental or Science Communications students often focus on developing the ability to communicate complex environmental concepts to the public. Students can expect to take basic and technical writing, as well as a broad or specific base of scientific courses to develop a better understanding of environmental processes.
Training for writing for the media is often considered separately through Environmental Journalism programs or emphases, although prospective environmental journalists often come from Environmental or Science Communications programs. Those considering graduate school who already have an undergraduate degree or experience in journalism or a writing profession might consider a broadly-focused environmental degree, such as Environmental Studies or Environmental Science. Specific courses we've seen in Environmental or Science Communications include:
|
Great Resources
on Environmental Communications
|
- Basic Science and Technical Writing
- Communicating Technical Information
- Media Ethics and Law
- Brown & White
- Politics of Science
- Media Coverage of Environmental Controversies
- Computer Assisted Reporting
- Environmental Research Methods for Journalists
- Public Affairs
- Public Relations for Environmental Organizations
- Environment, the Public and the Media
- Covering the Environmental Beat
- Science on the Radio
- The Science Feature
- Writing for Specialized Magazines
- Translating the Secrets of Science
- Nature Writing
CAREERS AND SALARY OUTLOOK
Environmental Communications graduates can expect to remain in high demand because so many professions need to communicate an environmental message. Environmental issues are complex, and every sector of society has a stake in clearly and effectively relating their messages or concerns to the public.
For example, nonprofit organizations which communicate the importance of conservation; corporations which communicate their commitment to good environmental stewardship; public agencies which communicate the need for compliance with environmental regulations; the media which reports on environmental issues; or commercial ventures which sell environmentally-safe products. Specific job titles we've seen include:
|
Career Guidance
from EnviroEducation.com
 When you need to get a message across to the public, you need to keep it simple. Susan Seacrest shares her secrets on environmental communication.  >>>
|
- Public Information Officer
- Fundraising Director
- Newspaper, Magazine, Radio and Television Environmental Reporter
- Publisher
- Public Relations Specialist
- Advertising Representative
- Teachers
- Executive Director of Nonprofit Organization
- Training and Program Development
- Cooperative Extension
- Product Sales Representative
- Regional Marketing Manager
The Bureau of Labor Statistics includes a number of professional categories which pertain to environmental communications and journalism, including public relations specialists, media reporters and writers/editors.
BLS reports that the median annual earnings for salaried public relations specialists were $41,710 in 2002, with the middle 50 percent earning between $31,300 and $56,180. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $25,000, and the top 10 percent earned more than $75,000.
For news analysts, reporters, and correspondents, BLS reports that salaries vary widely. Median annual earnings of these workers were about $30,510 in 2002 with the middle 50 percent earning between $22,350 and $47,170. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $17,100 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $69,000. Annual earnings in 1998 averaged $33,320 in radio and television broadcasting.
Median annual earnings for writers and authors were $42,790 in 2002. Those in advertising earned an average of $54,520; publishers earned about $33,500. Salaried editors made an average of $41,170 in 2002. Technical writers earned an average of $50,580 that year.
RELATED AREAS OF STUDY
Top of Page
| 
