Green Fields of Study
The variety of jobs available in the environmental field range from those requiring bachelor's degrees and above to those that provide on-the-job training. Environmental careers can involve highly technical desk jobs or active work out in the field. When looking for a job, consider what you want to do and how you want to spend your time. Do you want to interact with the public or to be outside? Is designing environmental systems for landfills, water-treatment plants, or even manufacturing facilities more up your alley? The field is awash with job opportunities — so much so that deciding on a career will likely be more difficult than landing a job.
Choosing a Major
Choosing a major goes hand in hand with choosing a career. Although some students may decide on a major without a thorough understanding of the jobs available, others will decide what job they want and determine what degree is needed to get there. Some professions can be achieved with a variety of degrees, but others require very specific degrees and training. For example, conservation specialists may have a degree in biology or environmental science. On the other hand, an engineer needs to have a degree in engineering. Also, some degrees provide stepping stones to other careers. A person with an engineering degree can work as a regulator, and that may lead to a career in politics down the road. Not everyone entering a university knows exactly what career path he or she will follow, but students can analyze their interests, passions, and talents to decide on a career path.
Picking a University
Choosing a university to attend should be based on the area of study. When considering a university or college, look at all the programs the school offers and what kind of jobs graduates find. If you plan on earning a master's or doctorate, take into account how well the undergraduate program has prepared past graduates. Make sure the program is accredited; this may directly impact your job opportunities, advanced degrees, and any certification or licensure you need.
The Environmental Education Directory at www.enviroeducation.com has a searchable database for numerous fields of environmental study. The database includes a list of learning institutions from colleges and universities to more specialized centers such as the Audubon Expedition Institute run through Lesley University. If you are interested in graduate school, look at www.gradschools.com for lists of programs and universities leading to advanced degrees in environmental fields.
College or university degrees aren't the only way to get started in the environmental field. The Wilderness Awareness School in Duvall, Washington, provides courses of study in nature awareness, tracking and mammal studies, and even wilderness survival. Many colleges and other institutions offer classes on campus and through distance learning.
Beyond obtaining a degree, you may want to consider how the university or learning institution you plan to attend operates when it comes to environmental responsibility. Universities and colleges function as microcosms of larger communities, with planning departments that must consider the same issues as cities and towns. A benefit for universities is that they have access to researchers and professionals in innovative fields that can influence campuses to test and utilize environmentally friendly and sustainable practices.
The EPA works with universities and other organizations to purchase electricity from sustainable resources as part of its Green Power Partnership. In January 2007, the EPA reported that New York University, the University of California at Santa Cruz, Western Washington University, and the University of Central Oklahoma each purchased 100 percent of their electricity from sustainable resources.
Universities and colleges rely on master plans that identify different operations — including transportation, waste generation and handling, and heating and cooling — and specify how they will be implemented. By incorporating environmental stewardship in preparing a master plan, these schools not only set examples but provide hands-on experience for students to take with them after they graduate.
Master plans may incorporate sustainable considerations as the university ages and expands, constructing new buildings and refurbishing older ones. When building new facilities, does the school administration encourage energy-efficient design? Is the equipment used by the administration, faculty, staff, and students energy-efficient?
You may want to find out how waste is handled at the universities that interest you and if recycling programs are in place. Many schools of higher learning maintain their own incinerators, particularly if biomedical wastes are generated. If this is the case, ask if the university operates the incinerator as a cogeneration plan, providing electricity and hot water for the campus, and if the air emissions meet required standards.
How can I determine how environmentally friendly colleges and universities are?
If you are interested in a particular institution, go to its Web site and search for information on its environmental stewardship. If you don't have any one college or university in mind, check out Princeton Review's Colleges with a Conscience, a broad reference book that highlights select institutions for their social awareness, including their commitment to the environment.
Another aspect you may want to consider is transportation. Many campuses provide shuttle services from off-campus locations. Switching to hybrid or biodiesel can increase the benefits of these shuttle services. Also, universities purchase many cars to be used by faculty and staff. When buying cars, does the university consider energy efficiency? Universities should purchase fuel-efficient or hybrid cars and discourage excessive driving.
