What Can I Do With an Environmental Science Degree?

Environmental science is the study of how the natural world works, how we interact with it and how we can preserve it. If you want to solve real-world environmental problems and promote a sustainable planet, the study of environmental science may be for you.

A true interdisciplinary major, a degree in environmental science includes the study of ecology, biology, chemistry and geology, according to Dr. Michele Goldsmith, a professor of environmental and physical sciences at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) with a PhD in Biological Anthropology.

In addition to traditional coursework, Goldsmith noted that an inquiry approach to learning is emphasized, as are experiential experiences and internships. This combination of scientific knowledge and hands-on training allows you to customize your career and work to inspire change on a local and global scale in the way that best suits your interests and abilities.

Is Environmental Science a Good Major?

If you want to make a positive impact on our world and develop sustainable practices, a career in environmental science could be a very good option for you. This degree offers a strong foundation for a career as a scientist. It’s also a major that includes building leadership and collaboration skills.

One of the biggest benefits of a degree in environmental science is its multidisciplinary nature. By incorporating the study of science with coursework in data analysis, research strategies and field methods and technologies, you can take your career in any direction you wish.

“An environmental science degree is so versatile that the sky is the limit to what students can do with it,” said Dr. Kelly Thrippleton-Hunter, an adjunct faculty of science at SNHU. In addition to teaching at SNHU, Thrippleton-Hunter serves as a health risk assessor at the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). She holds a PhD as well in environmental toxicology.

Jesse Williams '24, who earned a bachelor's in environmental science at SNHU, agreed that his program was wide-ranging in focus. "Environmental science is a very broad degree," he said after traveling from Georgia to New Hampshire to attend his commencement.

The course curriculum at SNHU allowed him to learn about a variety of topics, including those that relate to the work he did at a tree removal company. "I learned a lot about soil and conservation," he said.

Having served in the Army and being a first-generation student, Williams was drawn to SNHU to pursue his degree due to the support available. "I had a lot of help with my degree," he said.

Just a few of the options available to people with a degree in environmental science include jobs monitoring fish, wildlife and ecosystems, conducting economic analyses of natural resources or becoming a park ranger or game warden, according to Thrippleton-Hunter.

“The field continues to grow, so career opportunities and options will only continue to expand,” she said.*

What Key Skills Are Needed for Success in Environmental Science?

There are several skills that lend themselves well to an environmental science career. One of those skills is a systems-thinking perspective. Because the natural environment is comprised of intricate systems, being a systems thinker is essential, according to Tyra Davey, an associate dean of science at SNHU.

Davey, who earned an MS in Atmospheric Science, has also served as a faculty member at SNHU and knows the importance of building key skills in the classroom. “It’s also important to be eager to learn and have a growth mindset,” she said.

An innate curiosity will help you discover the area of the environment that you’re most passionate about so you can begin designing your career.

Davey recommends talking to as many professionals in the field as you can to learn what it’s like to work in environmental science and how they got to where they are today. “This field is full of positive people who are eager to share what they’ve learned and will help you find your niche,” she said.

Having previously served as a STEM and outreach coordinator at Girls Inc., Davey built some of her experience in ground-based and airborne field campaigns, including a NASA program that studied air quality over California. Now in academia, she also volunteers as a SKYWARN^® Storm Spotter, helping keep local communities safe by reporting severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Communication skills are particularly helpful in STEM fields because of the need to connect with the community and collaborate with others across all aspects of science. A willingness to ask questions and be inquisitive is just one way those communication skills will be useful.

“If you find yourself taking a critical look at the world around you, asking why or how about a lot of things, this could be a great field for you,” Davey said.

What Jobs Can I Get With an Environmental Science Degree?

If you're ready to look at the world in an inquisitive manner, then you may be ready to pursue a degree in environmental science. “That curiosity will open a host of professional opportunities to you,” said Goldsmith, who previously served as a scientist-in-residence at Emerson College and has honed her knowledge of the field through her prior work as a Fulbright Scholar in the Congo and as a National Geographic researcher.

Opportunities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), such as:

• Climate change analyst. This role could include educational outreach and grant writing in addition to studying the ecosystem.
• Environmental health and safety specialist. It could also include studying the various ways environmental factors can affect public health. This role could also have an educational outreach component.
• Industrial ecologist. This is a role that studies the effects of industry on the environment. This role could involve analysis, research and collaboration with industry members.

According to BLS, careers such as environmental scientist or specialist, including those mentioned above, typically require a bachelor’s degree and have a median salary of $78,980 per year.*

Careers in environmental science span from teaching and research roles to positions in conservation to natural resource management and more.

According to Thrippleton-Hunter, there are many options to consider with a degree in environmental science, depending on your particular strengths and interests. She said:

• If you're technology-minded, you might consider careers in monitoring fish, wildlife, ecosystems or natural resources in real time using remote sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) data.
• If you enjoy math, a career conducting economic analyses to understand the use and disposal of natural resources could be a good fit for you.
• If you enjoy nature and the outdoors, a career as an environmental scientist, park ranger or game warden may be a good option.

According to Goldsmith, additional career options to consider include:

• Atmospheric scientist and meteorologist: With a median salary of $92,860 per year, according to BLS, this role includes the study, reporting and forecasting of the atmosphere, climate and weather.* While a research career typically needs a graduate degree, there are many opportunities requiring only a bachelor’s degree according to BLS.
  
  
• Conservation scientist and natural resource manager: With a median salary of $68,750 per year, according to BLS, the role of a conservation scientist includes working in the area of natural resources conservation or park and forestry management.* Careers exist in the nonprofit, private and government sectors.
  
  
• Environmental science and protection technicians: With a median salary of $50,660 per year, according to BLS, this role includes opportunities in consulting, laboratories and the enforcement of government regulations.* While an associate degree is the typical entry-level requirement for jobs in this field, a bachelor’s degree in environmental science can expand your career options, BLS reported.

And, of course, no discussion of environmental science would be complete without mentioning the importance of careers in climate change, which often fall under the umbrella of atmospheric scientists.

“With our continued focus on the quality of air and drinking water, on the impact of climate change and on sustainable agriculture and green energy, the market in these areas is set to grow,” Thrippleton-Hunter said.

As you explore the many avenues available to you within the field of environmental science, remember that many people in the profession have not had a linear career. “You’ll find that your career winds and curves, and maybe you’ll end up in a place you thought you’d never see yourself, but with the right mentors and our supportive scientific community, you can end up with your dream job,” Davey said.

The field of environmental science is growing precisely because there is a great need for this critical work. “It’s never been more important that we have highly skilled environmental professionals who are passionately advocating for the health of our planet,” Davey said.

A degree in environmental science is great training for a potentially impactful career. It's also the springboard to determine whether you're meant for a career that is hands-on with fingers in the dirt, that involves research in a laboratory or that's meant to educate the public about how they, too, can get involved with saving the planet.

Whether you choose to work in addressing climate change, become a research biologist or work in natural resource management, you have the potential to build a career that helps others move forward in keeping the planet, and each other, healthy and well.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

A former higher education administrator, Dr. Marie Morganelli is a career educator and writer. She has taught and tutored composition, literature, and writing at all levels from middle school through graduate school. With two graduate degrees in English language and literature, her focus — whether teaching or writing — is in helping to raise the voices of others through the power of storytelling. Connect with her on LinkedIn.