Careers

Exploring an Environmental Career

High School is great time to explore your options in an environmental career. What types of environmental careers are available? Is an environmental career right for you? This Web page has been designed to help students, just like you, learn more about establishing a rewarding career in the environmental field.

Career Descriptions		Take advantage of an environmental career – from Environmental Scientist to Wildlife Officer. Our Career Descriptions give you basic information on some of today’s exciting environmental professions.

Enhancing Education		Discover colleges and universities offering environmental curriculum and learn more about programs that can help you meet your career objectives.

Environmental Career Descriptions

You can take your dedication to the environment a step further by launching a career within the environmental field. Check out the possibilities…

Agronomist: Study the interaction among plants, soils, and the environment in order to develop and implement improvement plans for successfully managing soil and field crop growth without harming the environment. Experience field, office and laboratory work and use sophisticated research tools and techniques. Agriculture, biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics are some of the courses required for a career in Agronomy.

Aquatic Biologist: Conduct studies of fish populations and habitats and prepare technical reports and management plans to effectively improve the value of fishery resources. Research and communications skills are a plus in this field as an Aquatic Biologist may propose or communicate public fisheries management goals and objectives. Interested students should look into aquatic courses such as fishery resource management, limnology, fish diseases, aquaculture, ichthyology, aquatic ecology, fishery science, and fish population dynamics.

Climatologist: Discover how long-term climate trends can affect the earth’s energy usage, food production and survival of endangered species. For example, a Climatologist may study changes in solar radiation, aerosols content or atmospheric Carbon Dioxide levels. If you are interested in this field, consider academic courses in zoology, botany and entomology.

Conservationist: Help protect forests and other natural resources from environmental damage by planting seedlings, surveying and mapping forest areas, or developing improvement programs. A conservationist may specialize in fields such as forest resource management, urban forestry or wood technology. Recommended areas of study include science, mathematics, communications and computer science.

Environmental Scientist: Study the connections between organisms and their environment through outdoor and laboratory research and help manage natural resources better by planning, organizing and implementing programs to restore natural ecosystems. You can use your knowledge and field expertise as a teacher or as a consultant helping industries, government agencies or parks and recreation departments solve environmental problems. Coursework in microbiology, earth sciences, zoology and computer technology training is recommended.

Environmental Economist: Help determine the balance between environmental impacts and economic benefits. Economists may help a company or governmental agency determine the value of a new or continuing project by researching its overall effects and finding balance between natural resources and profit. Research skills and knowledge of advanced computer simulations and modeling are beneficial for this career.

Environmental Engineer: Examine and identify sources of pollution, prepare reports, design and plan for prevention and recommend improvement measures to help control and contain environmental health hazards. For this career option, studies in the field of engineering, chemistry, geology and environmental science should be explored.

Environmental Lawyer: With a degree in Environmental Law, you can explore several career options from providing legal advice on how to comply with environmental regulations to working through the courts to save endangered habitats. Other responsibilities may include drafting or reviewing legal documents to ensuring environmental liabilities are addressed and prosecuting environmental offenders.

Environmental Lobbyist: Represent your company or organization’s environmental interests. A highly competitive industry, lobbyist activities may involve monitoring legislative and executive activities to influence policy, legislation, regulations, or negotiations. Strong written and oral communications skills and knowledge of organizational structure and legislative procedures are necessary.

Environmental Planner: Help communities enjoy the benefits of economic development while protecting the environment. Use your environmental sciences expertise to develop land-use plans and recommend policies to successfully manage the land, conserve natural resources and meet the challenges of economic growth.

Environmental Regulatory Specialist: Gather environmental data for interpretation and help maintain regulatory compliance standards. Working for state and federal environmental protection agencies, a specialist’s duties may include reviewing permits, investigating complaints, gathering and interpreting data, and balancing the goals of environmental protection. To prepare for this career, studies in environmental engineering, biology, chemistry, geology and technical writing are recommended.

Environmental Technician: Technicians often work out in the fields, streams and work sites collecting air, water and soil samples as well as recording botanical and wildlife inventories. This career choice often requires a two-year degree.

Environmental Lab Technician: An Environmental Lab Technician takes research a step further by studying collected samples within a laboratory setting. This career choice often requires a four-year degree and specializes in biology, chemistry, zoology, etc.

Forester: Manage forested lands and natural resources while considering environmental regulations, wildlife habitat conservation and the make-up of soil and bodies of water. Interested students should have an understanding of domestic animal and wildlife behavior as well as knowledge of plants and other living organisms and how they function. Studies in biology, chemistry, and administration can help you prepare for a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry.

GIS (geographic information systems) Specialist: Use today’s computer and digital mapping technology to aid in natural resource conservation such as tracking wildlife, trees, and the migration of pollution, population, weather and more. GIS support programs can often be found within the Environmental Sciences curriculum and may focus on forestry, natural resources, geography and soil science.

Park Ranger or Naturalist: A Park Ranger’s job can include both the duties of a Naturalist and Law Enforcer. A Naturalist often works in a visitor’s center environment, educating people about the environment, giving guided hikes and campfire programs, and monitoring and preserving plants and animals. Park Rangers carry out similar duties of the Naturalist, but may also police parklands, patrol backcountry areas, and provide search and rescue services. A degree in natural science with courses in biology, botany, zoology, ecology and a specialization in parks and recreation is recommended. CPR, Advanced First Aid and Paramedic certifications may be required for a position as a National Park Service Ranger.

Soil Conservationist: Visit areas with erosion problems, analyze the problem, and help landowners, managers, farmers and ranchers to implement management practices to control erosion. Coursework for this field may include sciences, mathematics, communications and computer technology.

Wildlife Officer: (Also referred to as Game Warden) Enforce state wildlife laws, protect wildlife, help manage game population through tracking and monitoring activities, and develop conservation programs to improve wildlife health and habitat. Officers usually work for a state’s Department of Natural Resources. To explore this profession, a degree program in criminal justice with a specialty in biology, natural resource management, parks and recreation, or environmental science is recommended.

Disclaimer: This is not a complete list of environmental career options and descriptions. Duke Energy encourages you to explore other areas in the environmental field that may be of interest to you.

Sources:
Several sources are from the Internet. Some definitions and descriptions have been combined and/or reworded on some entries to simplify.

http://agecon.ag.ohio-state.edu

http://www.enviroeducation.com/majors-programs/

http://jobprofiles.monster.com

http://www.eco.org

http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu

Enhancing Your Education

Earning a degree in Environmental Science or a related field can be one of the most committed steps you take in helping to maintain and restore the environment around you. Several colleges and universities offer an Environmental Science curriculum with options to enroll or specialize in courses of interest.

Below is a list of some of the academic institutions within our tri-state area of Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. Some academic program descriptions have been outlined to give you a sampling of the curriculum and expectations found in the environmental field.

INDIANA
Ball State University
DePauw University
Earlham College
Goshen College
Hanover College
Indiana University
Marian College
Purdue University
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Saint Joseph’s College

OHIO
Ashland University
Bowling Green State University
College of Mount Saint Joseph
Miami University
Ohio State University
Oberlin College
Ohio Northern University
Ohio Wesleyan University
University of Toledo
Youngstown State University

KENTUCKY
Berea College
Centre College
Eastern Kentucky University
Kentucky Wesleyan College
Georgetown College
Northern Kentucky University
Morehead State University
Midway College
Western Kentucky University

PROGRAM FEATURES

Purdue University, Department of Forestry & Natural Resources – West Lafayette, Indiana
The university offers undergraduate as well as graduate degree programs within the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources focused on six complementary areas: fisheries and aquatic sciences, forest biology, human dimensions, quantitative resources analysis, wildlife science and wood science. The program encourages hands-on experience and is based on a learning, discovery and engagement format.

Purdue University also provides the Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) program to prepare students for an environmental profession within areas of environmental consulting, agriculture, industry, conservation organizations, journalism and education. With the NRES program, students have the options of individualizing their study plan and specializing in Agronomy, Forestry, Geology, Engineering and other departments. For more information, contact Purdue University, Department of Forestry and Natural Resources.

Indiana University, School of Public and Environmental Affairs – Bloomington, Indiana
Within the university’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, students can specialize in a number of environmental arenas – receiving a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science or Public and Environmental Affairs. These degree programs offer a wide range of specialties: conservation biology, ecology, environmental engineering, environmental law, environmental planning, environmental policy, fisheries management, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), hazardous waste management, risk analysis, toxicology and water resources. The programs are geared toward students looking for a profession ranging from an Environmental Scientist to Environmental Lobbyist or Lawyer. For more information, contact Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs.

Ohio State University, College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences – Columbus, Ohio
The university’s School of Natural Resources offers undergraduate, graduate and honors programs in the areas of Environmental Science, Forestry, Fisheries and Wildlife and Human Dimensions in Natural Resources. Each program prepares students for careers that range from Naturalist or Teacher to Environmental Scientist or Engineer and focuses on providing expertise in ecosystem maintenance and natural resources management. For more information, contact the university’s College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences.

University of Toledo – Toledo, Ohio
The University of Toledo offers both Environmental Science and College of Law programs. Receive practical experience and a Bachelor of Science degree through the university’s Department of Earth Ecological and Environmental Sciences. The university’s setting on Lake Erie provides an outdoor laboratory for studying environmental geology and ecology. If you are interested in the environment from a legal perspective, explore the university’s Certificate of Law program, which focuses on environmental law and policy, natural resources law and administrative law. For more information, contact the University of Toledo.

Kentucky Wesleyan College, Environmental Science Program – Owensboro, Kentucky
The Environmental Science Program at Kentucky Wesleyan College is geared for science majors interested in the fields of environmental policy and management, resource planning, environmental chemistry, conservation and applied ecology. The Environmental Science Program is customized for students. Majors in biology, chemistry or physics help prepare students for careers emphasizing environmental technology, while students interested in environmental policy and management can focus on a political science curriculum. For more information, contact Kentucky Wesleyan College.

Northern Kentucky University, Department of Biology, Chemistry, Geology – Highland Heights, Kentucky
Northern Kentucky University’s Environmental Science Program offers research and field experience prepare students for a career aimed at contributing to the solution of current environmental problems. A strong academic curriculum in biology, chemistry, geology, mathematics, and physics guides students toward the successful scientific study of environmental issues from a research and career-oriented perspective. For more information, contact Northern Kentucky University.

Disclaimer: The programs you see here are only examples of some of the colleges and universities that offer environmental programs. Duke Energy does not have any affiliation with these academic institutions or programs. For complete information on environmental programs or academic degrees, contact the individual college or university of your choice.

Sources:
http://www.enviroeducation.com