Geoscience Careers

Soil Science

• Government agencies including:
  • US Environmental Protection Agency
  • Natural Resource Conservation Services
  • USDA Forest Service
  • US Department of Health and Human Services
• State farm bureaus
• Environmental research laboratories
• Agricultural or environmental consultant firms
• Privately owned farms and ranches
• Universities

• Maintain knowledge of current environmental issues including policy, conservation, and industry trends.
• Develop acute observational skills.
• Stay current on technology used in natural resource management including software, geographical information systems, and global positioning systems.
• Seek related experience through co-ops, internships, or part-time jobs in area of interest.
• Gain extensive laboratory and research experience to prepare for research positions.
• Participate in related clubs, organizations, and soil judging teams to build contacts and cultivate academic interests.
• Learn about certification programs offered by the Soil Science Society of America including soil science and agronomy.
• Become familiar with the federal job application procedure for government employment.
• Obtain Ph.D. for optimal research and university teaching careers.

Solid Waste Management

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private waste management firms
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

• Develop strong communication skills, both written and oral.
• Develop decision-making and problem-solving skills, diplomacy, and the ability to work under pressure.
• Gain familiarity with current technologies, regulations, and statutes.
• Join community groups or service organizations that focus on environmental awareness; attend public meetings about waste management.
• Become flexible and learn to look at issues from various perspectives.

Hazardous Waste Management

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private companies that generate hazardous waste in production
• Hazardous waste management firms
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

• Consider a double major in hard science or engineering.
• Attend public meetings on hazardous waste issues.
• Gain laboratory experience and computer expertise.
• Complete an internship in a government office or regulatory agency.
• Gain experience with technical writing.
• Get involved with local chapters of citizen watch groups.
• Become familiar with Superfund and its activities.

Air Quality Management

• Federal, state, and local government
• Private industry
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

• Stay up-to-date with federal regulations and both industry and regional standards.
• Additional training in economics and policy is desirable.
• Develop strong oral communication and technical writing skills.
• Learn to work well under pressure and develop negotiation skills.
• Seek volunteer or paid positions within area environmental groups.

Water Quality Management

• Federal, state, and local government
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Treatment plants

• Develop a strong chemistry background by taking additional courses.
• Obtain laboratory skills by assisting faculty with research projects.
• Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and regulations.
• Develop interpersonal, oral communication, and technical writing skills.
• Seek an advanced degree in policy for increased marketability.
• Learn about certification programs offered by the American Institute of Hydrology.
• Learn to use the tools and software associated with watershed modeling.

Land and Water Conservation

• Federal, state, and local government
• Indian nations
• Utilities and timber companies
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations
• Land trust organizations such as The Nature Conservancy or Trust for Public Land

• Gain a solid background in the basic sciences while obtaining a broad-based education.
• Obtain legal, real estate, and financial skills through coursework, internships or part-time jobs.
• Volunteer through the Student Conservation Association (SCA) and hold an office.
• Keep up with new funding sources.
• Consider law school for careers as counsel to environmental organizations.

Fishery and Wildlife Management

• Federal, state, and local government
• Marine sport fisheries
• Utility companies
• Developers
• Timber companies
• Wildlife ranges
• Scientific foundations
• Zoological parks
• Hunting and fishing clubs
• Consulting firms
• Nonprofit organizations

• Develop a broad scientific education.
• Obtain skills in areas such as planning, administration, communications, and negotiation through coursework, internships, or part-time jobs.
• Get experience and skills in computers, statistics and computer modeling.
• Join the Peace Corps as a segue way into federal government positions.
• Learn about the federal job application process.

Parks and Outdoor Recreation

• National Park Service
• Federal agencies
• State, county, or city parks
• Resorts
• Marinas
• Privately owned facilities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Tourism agencies

• Develop a broad-based education that will develop both technical and interpersonal skills.
• Gain expertise in additional areas such as communications, writing, fundraising, negotiation, and computer applications.
• Obtain working knowledge of a foreign language such as Spanish.
• Learn to work well with and communicate with all types of people.
• Participate in travel and recreation programs.
• Join related organizations and seek leadership roles to gain experience planning trips and other programs.

Forestry

• Federal, state, and local government
• Consulting firms
• Timber companies
• Nonprofit organizations

• Obtain skills with computers, statistics, and accounting through coursework, internships or part-time jobs.
• Develop good communication and public relations skills.
• Get a minor or double major in a technical area (soil science, wildlife or surveying) or in an arts and science area (business, economics, political science or computer science).

Environmental Education and Communication

• Federal, state, and local government
• Public and private elementary, middle, and high schools
• Two-year community colleges
• Four-year institutions
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Media
• Nonprofit organizations
• Political Action Committees

• Master public speaking skills.
• Learn certification/licensure requirements for teaching public K-12 schools.
• Develop creative hands-on strategies for teaching/learning.
• Publish articles in newsletters or newspapers.
• Learn environmental laws and regulations.
• Join professional associations and environmental groups as ways to network.
• Become active in environmental political organizations.

Planning

• Federal, state, regional, and local government
• Corporations
• Consulting firms
• Banks
• Real estate development companies
• Law firms
• Architectural firms
• Market research companies
• Colleges and universities
• Nonprofit groups

• Get on planning boards, commissions, and committees.
• Have a planning specialty (transportation, water resources, air quality, etc.).
• Master communication, mediation and writing skills.
• Network in the community and get to know “who’s who” in your specialty area.
• Develop a strong scientific or technical background.
• Diversify your knowledge base. For example, in areas of law, economics, politics, historical preservation, or architecture.

Environmental Law

• Law firms
• Large corporations
• Federal and State government agencies including:
  • US Environmental Protection Agency
  • Department of Justice
  • Attorney General Office
• Nonprofit organizations, e.g. Green Action and Natural Resources Defense Council

• Earn a law degree. Prepare for law school by maintaining a high g.p.a. and studying for the LSAT.
• Build strong recommendations from faculty.
• Work a part-time or summer job in a law firm.
• Develop strong written and oral communication skills.
• Participate in pre-law honor societies, debate teams, or moot court.