Beyond High School

Here's a list of programs that you should consider if you're interested in this career:

• Environmental Studies
• Environmental Science
• Marine Sciences
• Environmental Chemistry
• Environmental Health

Education Level

Education training and experience are required at different levels for success in different occupations.

Bachelor's degree

Environmental scientists and specialists typically need a bachelor's degree in environmental science or a related natural resources field. However, a master’s degree may be needed for advancement. Environmental scientists and specialists who have a doctoral degree make up a small percentage of the occupation, and this level of training typically is needed only for the relatively few postsecondary teaching and basic research positions.

Insider Info

Additional Information

You'll need to start your career by earning a bachelor's degree in a general science with some emphasis on environmental studies.

"To be honest, with just a bachelor's degree a student will start off as a technician or junior professional," says Ray Cote. He is the administrator of a university environmental studies program. "They may do sampling or be hired to run local treatment systems."

If you want to go beyond basic sampling and work on leading projects or with a consulting firm, you'll need to get your master's or PhD in environmental science or related areas.

Environmental consultant Richard Firth looks for three things in the scientists he hires: practicality, a willingness to work hard and the ability to get along with people. "You could be God's gift to science, but if you can't work well with others, you're going to be unemployed," says Firth.

Alex Bielak is a manager with an environmental agency. He agrees. "Communication skills are at a premium," he says. So is the ability to adapt to future changes such as computer technology or emerging fields of study such as the genetically engineered products field.

There are things students can do now to help prepare themselves for a career in environmental sciences, says Bielak. "Make sure that you get in people's line of sight by knocking on doors or doing volunteer work."

Volunteering is important, he says, because it helps develop relationships with people who work in the field. "If the volunteer work is done well, they may be hired," says Bielak. "It's critical to have that experience."

Extra Requirements

Environmental scientists and specialists can become Certified Hazardous Materials Managers through the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management. In addition, the Ecological Society of America offers several levels of certification for environmental scientists who wish to demonstrate their proficiency in ecology.

For additional information, visit these websites:

• http://www.esa.org/certification/
• http://ihmm.org/chmm/