Environmental problems are so complex that many different occupations are involved in finding solutions. The careers cover a wide range of areas to opt for. One can look forward to be an earth scientist, a water manager or an environment journalist. To study how people interact with the environment requires an understanding of science and technology, economics and sociology. Combining two or more areas also makes a viable career option.
Diverse career options:
- Research
- Teaching / Education / Training
- Environment Management / Natural Resource management
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Media / Communications
- Engineering / Architecture
- Environmental Law, Policy, Planning
- Bio-tech industry
- Wildlife Conservation & Tourism
- Weather-related / GIS / Remote sensing agencies
- Health / Medical organisations
The job profiles in environmental careers are as diverse as the problems they address. Some of the careers and the broad tasks attached to them are -
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Environmental Scientists
- Treatment of waste - Toxic as well as non-toxic wastes released from industries, refineries, and households are detected and treated.
- Solid Waste Management - You get to play the role of chemists, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, radioactive waste experts and industrial waste managers in scaling down the dangers of solid wastes.
- Air Pollution Management - An environmental scientist also monitors the air around him or her. Environmental threats like acid rain, ozone depletion and green house gases are analysed. Analytical chemists, toxicologists and air quality specialists analyse the effects of various harmful gases that are emitted as a result of fuel or garbage combustion. They also study the effects of these on human as well as plant life.
- Water quality Management - Marine life is critical for survival of sea animals and for human consumption. Botanists, oceanographers, marine scientists, wildlife scientists, ecologist and people working in water–shed management are concerned with the preservation and purification of water in rivers, lakes, streams, and all surface and ground waters.
- Land conservation - This area of work overlaps that of forestry and wildlife managers and also incorporates planning for better use of land and water. Conservation of parks, outdoor recreation sites, regreening of urban areas needs professionals from a background in geology, landscape architecture, wildlife management, forestry etc.
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Environmental Planners
- Planning preservation of natural habitats, planning of transport systems, general planning of urban expansions
- Implementation
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Environmental engineering
- Designing, constructing, and maintaining systems to control waste streams produced in urban and rural areas or by the industries.
- Develop strategies for protecting areas under environmental threat.
- Impose regulations for the protection of the environment.
- Management of water and land resources i.e. dealing with public health, terrain and water management.
- Management of air pollution by dealing with air quality management and other special bodies that deal with emissions.
- Management of hazardous waste.
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Environmental education and communication
- Teaching in college/ school - awareness programmes
- Coordinating community awareness programmes
- Working as guides for wildlife parks and sanctuaries
- In public communication
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Environment journalism
Growing public awareness has generated enthusiasm for environmental protection. People's voices are heard and repeated in the media. Reporting environmental issues such as nuclear tests, construction of dams etc., making of documentaries concerning the environment, production of films on environmental issues are areas environmental journalists have been exploring.
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Environment communicator / educator
An Environment communicator / educator is involved in the communication of environmental messages to audiences through interactive listening, public discussion and debate. Although environmental educators work in a wide range of settings, they all share one objective-to help people appreciate and understand the natural world around them. An interdisciplinary approach will help make connections between environmental issues and the associated social, economic, political, scientific, and technological concerns.
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Eco - Tourism
- Development and preservation of flora and fauna in different parts of the country.
- Education linking tourism and environment protection.
- Study of tribal cultures, folk art forms, artefacts, temples, forest wealth
- Archaeological restoration
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Ecologists
Ecologists are concerned with the interrelationship between the constituents of nature. Ecology is the study of the relations of organisms, or of local ecosystems to their environments. The field is often called environmental biology. Ecologists usually have a life sciences background. Their work often involves pure research in a university or government agency setting.
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Conservationists
Conservationists devote their careers to the protection and judicious use of our natural resources - soil, water, forests, minerals, wildlife and grazing lands. Conservation is closely related to ecology, the major differences being in emphasis. While ecologists are interested in studying and understanding the environment as it is, conservationists are interested in using the environment and its resources in creating a better environment
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Environmental designers
Environmental designers, architects, planners and urban development officials deal with land use and the "built environment".Land management refers to balancing one’s use of land against another to achieve maximum value in keeping with social, economic and environmental considerations.
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Solid waste managers
Solid waste managers and technicians, who support them, deal with reducing overall waste production at thousands of businesses and households. Years ago, "waste management" meant getting garbage to the dump and the incinerator. Today’s managers have an enormous task. They have to collect, sort, separate and sell an ever-growing number of recyclables; assure that toxic materials are kept out of the waste stream and that there is no damage to land, air and water. It is scientific, political, and economic.
Most careers require a background in science. However, those from social sciences also have a role to play with a broad range of skills and aptitudes.
- Undergraduate Courses
However, someone from arts or social science background and with an interest in environment could opt for a combination of courses. For instance, with a course in environmental law and a post graduation in mass communication, you could pursue a career in policy initiatives, advocacy and legal consultancy in environmental issues.
- Postgraduate Courses
- Stay informed on environment-related news
Your career is affected by changes in political development, scientific discoveries, budgets, trends in industry and more. Read up; stay tuned to what’s happening around the world.
- Use alumni information of the college you join
Hunting for the right course and the right college is painstaking. Ask recent graduates what they are doing. Do they find that another course would help fulfil their career option? Make friends who can help you get internships while you are in college. Get to know the latest industry trends through them and what would be the best course suited for a job you are looking for.
- Build and maintain your network
Who you know does matter! A network can make a difference between selected for an interview and being left out. For many the word "network" seems artificial. It’s come to mean getting involved with people with the sole purpose of getting something from them. But, a real network, of course, is not so. It’s a group of people who respect each other and consequently a desire to help one another.
So you don’t miss the news when you have people within reach. Seek opportunities to work with them. Meet them, attend their events, know the issues that are on the headlines. A strong network is not a substitute for skills and meaningful experience. But you may miss a chance to apply for a job if you are not in the circle.
- Volunteer and maximise your career options
Although skills and knowledge gained from professional education and training are important, most employers look for additional skills. Effective written and verbal skills coupled with an interest in outdoor activities will enhance prospects of employment. It is not necessary that you’ll land with a job right after your graduation. But one can understand the scope of opportunities by interacting with organisations working in the field of environment.
Volunteer work is really important to get a foot in the door. There are many organisations that will take volunteers, but people usually don’t advertise. It is important to be proactive and approach an employer - this shows initiative. If you are lucky, there may be a chance of getting through an opening. Else, the skills and experience gathered will reflect in your CV.
- Make a portfolio
A piece of paper listing your previous jobs, internships and qualifications is a plain, conventional resume’ that you can give to your prospective employer. Or you could show the examples of the work you have done in different formats like CDs, paper clippings - all filed well in living colour. It speaks volumes much more than a resume’. That’s a career portfolio.
- Where will you be placed?
Job prospects are limited for an environmental science graduate who is seeking a very structured work specification. It is especially so for people in established professions of engineering or management. But creative persons with a keen sense of market can definitely carve a niche for themselves. This way, your work comes alive and a job is on the way.
- Research agencies, both private and government, hire environmental researchers
- Private companies hire environment safety and protection executives
- Research, documentation and field work in non governmental organisations
- Teaching jobs in universities and schools