Soil Science

• Soil and water conservation
• Land use planning
• Waste disposal
• Environmental compliance
• Reclamation of contaminated lands
• Landfill operation and monitoring
• Agrichemical management
• Fertilizer technology
• Agricultural production
• Research
• Education

Employers

• Government agencies including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Natural Resource Conservation Services, USDA Forest Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• State farm bureaus
• Environmental research laboratories
• Agricultural or environmental consultant firms
• Privately owned farms and ranches
• Universities

Information & Strategies

• Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends.
• Develop acute observational skills.
• Stay current on technology used in natural resource management including software, geographical information systems, and global positioning systems.
• Seek related experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs in area of interest.
• Gain extensive laboratory and research experience to prepare for research positions.
• Participate in related clubs, organizations, and soil judging teams to build contacts and cultivate academic interests.
• Learn about certification programs offered by the Soil Science Society of America including soil science and agronomy.
• Become familiar with the federal job application procedure for government employment.
• Obtain PhD for optimal research and university teaching careers.

Solid Waste Management

• Chemistry
• Engineering
• Hydrology
• Logistics
• Planning
• Recycling
• Transportation
• Compliance

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private waste management firms
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Information & Strategies

• Develop strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, diplomacy, and the ability to work under pressure.
• Gain familiarity with current technologies, regulations, and statutes.
• Join community groups or service organizations that focus on environmental awareness; attend public meetings about waste management.
• Become flexible and learn to look at issues from various perspectives.

Hazardous Waste Management

• Hydrogeology
• Quality control
• Risk assessment
• Environmental engineering
• Public and environmental health
• Industrial hygiene
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Chemical engineering
• Planning
• Compliance

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private companies that generate hazardous waste in production
• Hazardous waste management firms
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Information & Strategies

• Consider a double major in hard science or engineering.
• Attend public meetings on hazardous waste issues.
• Gain laboratory experience and computer expertise.
• Complete an internship in a government office or regulatory agency.
• Gain experience with technical writing.
• Get involved with local chapters of citizen watch groups.
• Become familiar with Superfund and its activities.

Air Quality Management

• Engineering
• Planning
• Analytical chemistry
• Environmental quality analysis
• Meteorology
• Risk assessment
• Safety and health management
• Toxicology
• Project development
• Compliance

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private industry
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Information & Strategies

• Stay up-to-date with federal regulations and both industry and regional standards.
• Additional training in economics and policy is desirable.
• Develop strong oral communication and technical writing skills.
• Learn to work well under pressure and develop negotiation skills.
• Seek volunteer or paid positions within area environmental groups.

Water Quality Management

• Aquatic ecology
• Aquatic toxicology
• Biology
• Civil / Environmental engineering
• Hydrogeology and hydrology
• Drinking water supply and treatment
• Waste water treatment
• Groundwater protection
• Surface water management
• Estuary management
• Wetlands protection
• Compliance
• Industrial engineering

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Treatment plants

Information & Strategies

• Develop a strong chemistry background by taking additional courses.
• Obtain laboratory skills by assisting faculty with research projects.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and regulations.
• Develop interpersonal, oral communication, and technical writing skills.
• Seek an advanced degree in policy for increased marketability.
• Learn about certification programs offered by the American Institute of Hydrology.
• Learn to use the tools and software associated with watershed modeling.

Land and Water Conservation

• Biology
• Ecology
• Planning
• Law
• Geographic information systems
• Preserve management
• Natural resource management
• Soil conservation
• Land acquisition

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Native American nations
• Utilities and timber companies
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Land trust organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or Trust for Public Land

Information & Strategies

• Gain a solid background in the basic sciences while obtaining a broad-based education.
• Obtain legal, real estate, and financial skills through coursework, internships, or part-time jobs.
• Volunteer through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and hold an office.
• Keep up with new funding sources.
• Consider law school for careers as counsel to environmental organizations.

Fishery and Wildlife Management

• Aquaculture
• Botany
• Data management
• Biology
• Hatchery management
• Marine biology
• Ecology
• Education
• Research
• Planning

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Marine sport fisheries
• Utility companies
• Developers
• Timber companies
• Wildlife ranges
• Scientific foundations
• Zoological parks
• Hunting and fishing clubs
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

Information & Strategies

• Develop a broad scientific education.
• Obtain skills in areas such as planning, administration, communications, and negotiation through coursework, internships, or part-time jobs.
• Get experience and skills in computers, statistics, and computer modeling.
• Join the Peace Corps as a segue into federal government positions.
• Learn about the federal job application process.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

• Administration and management
• Law enforcement
• Recreation planning
• Natural resource management
• Research
• Site operations and maintenance
• Eco-tourism
• Direct mail merchandising

Employers

• National park service
• Federal agencies
• State, county, or city parks
• Resorts
• Marinas
• Privately owned facilities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Tourism agencies

Information & Strategies

• Develop a broad-based education that will develop both technical and interpersonal skills.
• Gain expertise in additional areas such as communications, writing, fundraising, negotiation, and computer applications.
• Obtain working knowledge of a foreign language such as Spanish.
• Learn to work well with and communicate with all types of people.
• Participate in travel and recreation programs.
• Join related organizations and seek leadership roles to gain experience planning trips and other programs.

Forestry

• Consulting
• Entomology
• Hydrology
• National resource management
• Planning
• Research
• International forestry
• Urban forestry

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Consulting firms
• Timber companies
• Nonprofit organizations

Information & Strategies

• Obtain skills with computers, statistics, and accounting through coursework, internships, or part-time jobs.
• Develop good communication and public relations skills.
• Get a minor or double major in a technical area (soil science, wildlife, or surveying) or in an arts and science area (business, economics, political science, or computer science).

Environmental Education and Communication

• Teaching
• Journalism
• Tourism
• Law regulation
• Compliance
• Political action/Lobbying

Employers

• Federal, state, and local government
• Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
• Two-year community colleges
• Four-year institutions
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Media
• Nonprofit organizations
• Political action committees

Information & Strategies

• Master public speaking skills.
• Learn certification/licensure requirements for teaching public K-12 schools.
• Develop creative hands-on strategies for teaching/learning.
• Publish articles in newsletters or newspapers.
• Learn environmental laws and regulations.
• Join professional associations and environmental groups as ways to network.
• Become active in environmental political organizations.

Planning

• Air quality
• Aviation
• Building/Zoning
• Land-use
• Consulting
• Recreation
• Transportation
• Water resources

Employers

• Federal, state, regional, and local government
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Banks
• Real estate development companies
• Law firms
• Architectural firms
• Market research companies
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit groups

Information & Strategies

• Get on planning boards, commissions, and committees.
• Have a planning specialty (transportation, water, resources, air quality, etc.).
• Master communication, mediation, and writing skills.
• Network in the community and get to know "who's who" in your specialty area.
• Develop a strong scientific or technical background.
• Diversify your knowledge base. For example, in areas of law, economics, politics, historical preservation, or architecture.

Environmental Law

Employers

• Law firms
• Large corporations
• Federal and State government agencies including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice, Attorney General Office
• Nonprofit organizations such as Green Action and Natural Resources Defense Council

Information & Strategies

• Earn a law degree. Prepare for law school by maintaining a high GPA an studying for the LSAT.
• Build strong recommendations from faculty.
• Work a part-time or summer job in a law firm.
• Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
• Participate in pre-law honor societies, debate teams, or moot court.