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."