Career Opportunities

Students who see themselves as becoming environmental scientists generally pursue a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or a related field, while those who are more interested in the political, social, economic or legal aspects of environmental work generally choose a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies degree. There certainly are exceptions - a judge who oversaw the appeal in a high-profile environmental pollution lawsuit had a PhD in chemistry, for example.

Employment pathways for students with this background include environmental consulting and engineering firms; college and university teaching and research; state and federal agencies; K-12 education; and non-profit agencies focused on one or another aspect of sustainability, environmental preservation, or specific geographic sites.

A few external references are provided below, but you can easily find others with your own web search ability.