Environmental Degree Leads To Careers In Government And Private Industry
The twenty-first century is shaping up to be a century that is deeply embroiled in environmental issues. From the oil spill in the Gulf to continued worries over global warming and renewable energy issues, the environment is at the forefront of government and public thought. Now may be one of the best times in history to be seeking a degree in environmental science.
Not only are there jobs in the private sector, but there are numerous jobs in the government sector, too. With the disaster in the Gulf, the public is demanding more scrutiny and accountability from private firms who profit from environmental resources. That means the government will need more people to regulate a variety of industries that rely on environmental resources.
There are numerous agencies within federal, state, and local governments that are responsible for regulating and monitoring natural resources. At the federal level, probably the best known institution is the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA is charged with formulating regulations that protect the nation’s natural resources, while ensuring the safety of the public.
Employees of the EPA work closely with corporations that wish to utilize our natural resources, as well as with people who live in areas that might be affected by that utilization. Not only do these employees need to have a good scientific understanding of the issues at hand, they must also weigh the benefits of that use against the long term effects on the population and the land, sea, or air. In addition to regulating and monitoring corporations that want to gain from natural resources, the EPA also work with companies large and small whose industry might affect the environment. A good example of one of these industries would be a large farm that uses fertilizer that might create issues with runoff into water reservoirs.
People who work for the federal government also create stable career paths for themselves. The government offers generous pay and benefits programs, with retirement, health, and vacation benefits. At the federal level, the annual mean salary for environmental scientists is $93,700. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects this field of work to grow much faster than average over the next eight years. Beginning salaries for new scientists in this field with bachelor degrees is $39,160.
In the private sector, many environmental scientists work for consulting firms that specialize in environmental issues. These consulting companies are often hired by both private industry and government agencies to address a host of environmental issues. A great deal of the work involved for consultants is to help corporations and government agencies create work environments and processes that focus on waste management, preventing pollution, and creating more sustainable practices in business.
In the private sector, environmental consultants may be more vulnerable to layoffs than at the federal level. That is because when the economy is slow, there are less construction jobs that need environmental impact studies. Fortunately, the economy is beginning to pick up again, and the BLS forecasts strong growth for environmental scientists in the private sector, too. Additionally, the pay for private environmental consultants is very good, with the top ten percent of earners holding a median annual salary of $102,610.
In addition to jobs in consulting companies, there are new jobs being created in the renewable energy sector. With the renewed attention on global warming, pollution, and environmental disasters like oil spills, the push for clean, renewable energy is gaining ground quickly. More companies want to take advantage of this desire for renewable energy, and are meeting the demand by working to create a variety of new products that will help facilitate gathering energy from wind, sun, and hydraulic sources. All of these companies will need environmental workers to help design and create products that will meet renewable energy needs in the decades to come.
By Kayla Russell