What Can I Do With a Major in... Environmental Sciences

Environmental sciences students focus their studies on environmental related issues using social scientific, scientific, and humanistic approaches. While studying environmental science, students will learn basic principles of related subjects such as ecology, law, policy, economics, pollution, and natural resources. Courses in biology, chemistry, physics, geosciences, statistics, and math modeling are also typical areas of study. Abilities to utilize the Internet and other computer resources, as well as the ability to collect, organize, and analyze data are also necessary skills. Students of environmental science should have an interest in improving the balance of natural resources between mankind and the environment. Graduate school is not required but employers increasingly prefer master's degrees. A Ph.D. is required for high-level research or college teaching positions.

General Career Information
 
Sample Job Titles

Entry Level

  • Environmental Technician
  • Fish Hatchery Manager
  • Park Ranger
  • Researcher
  • Teacher

Education + Experience

  • Professor
  • Supervisor
  • Water Quality Specialist

Show All Job Titles

These job titles are not an exhaustive list, but rather, represent the types of positions most widely recruited for.

  • Assistant Field Technician
  • Biologist
  • Contaminate Officer Assistant
  • Environmental Data Analyst
  • Environmental Services Representative
  • Environmental Technician
  • Fish Hatchery Manager
  • Geological Survey Assistant
  • Geological Technician
  • Groundwater Technician
  • Hydrogeological Assistant
  • Hydrologist
  • Lab Assistant
  • Laser Researcher
  • Ocean Research Assistant
  • Organic Lab Research Assistant
  • Park Ranger
  • Professor
  • Researcher
  • Sedimentary Lab Assistant
  • Supervisor
  • Teacher
  • Water Quality Specialist
  • Web Developer
 
Employment Areas
  • Academia
  • Government
  • Private Corporations
  • Non-Profit Organizations
  • Publicly Traded Corporations
 
Job and Internship Listings
Professional Organizations
 
Organizations That Have Hired UI Students and Alumni
  • Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
  • Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge
  • Camp Adventure
  • United States Geological Survey
  • The University of Iowa Museum Studies/Geography Departments
  • Student Conservation Association

This is only a partial list. View a complete list of organizations that recruit UI students and alumni.

 
Additional Resources
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UI Student Organizations

 

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