What is a good career path for an environmentally conscience person?

Question

Im in High School and I'm searching through different career's. I'm thinking I would like to do something that allows me to protect natural habitat, but I don't know what job that would entail. I just want to be happy, money is not something im interested in.

Answer 1

agrocks is spot-on. You're going to need to make a living. You're going to need stability to do a decent job in any environmental field, because life happens. Believe me, I know! As an environmentalist, an understanding of general science and critical thinking is huge! Many young scientists over-specialize too early, and turn weird, which prevents them from doing anything but teaching young environmentalists, which perpetuates a cycle.

In dealing with the environment, you're going to have to live in the real world, and not in some idyllic soy-powered white tower. Environmental Law has nothing to do with science, and everything to do with business, and this is shameful and unlikely to change. Land development and conservation is an excellent field to work within, as good young minds are needed. You will need people skills. Conflict Resolution, Scientific Writing classes; communication is just as important as any other effort a scientist makes. Above all, you will need to understand human nature, and how culture effects perceptions of the environment.

I wish you well! We need new talent!

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry about your exact career just yet. Just keep in mind what your interested in, Nature. Once you go to school you will start to learn what really interests you, and that will direct you to a career path. You might end up unhappy if you make your choices in reverse. When choosing a degree program, select a broad major like natural resource management, or environmental studies to get an idea about what your interests you. Then choose a concentration, a more defined major, or a more specific masters program. Here is a list of degrees from the University of Maine, natural sciecnes department.

BS Animal and Veterinary Science
BS Aquaculture
BS Biochemistry
BA/BS Biology
BA/BS Botany
BS Clinical Laboratory Sciences
BA/BS Earth Sciences
BS Ecology & Environmental Sciences
BS Environmental Management & Policy
BS Forest Ecosystem Science & Conservation
BS Forest Operations Science
BS Forestry
BS Marine Science
BS Microbiology
BS Molecular & Cellular Biology
BS Parks, Recreation, & Tourism
BS Resource & Agribusiness Management
BS Sustainable Agriculture
BS Wildlife Ecology
BS Wood Science & Technology
BA/BS Zoology

You can get jobs with the Government or private orgs. The forest service and the BLM have different departments including wildlife monitoring and management. You could try to work for groups like the Nature conservancy or the Rain forest Alliance.

I understand what the others are saying about money, but if you live simply, money truly isn't important. I'm a forester, and compared to most careers that require a 4-year degree, a get paid very little. But I'm very happy.My education was inexpensive. I pay my bills, but I keep them small. If your environmentally conscious, that might not be a hard thing to do.

Answer 3

Well, if you're overworked and yet always struggling to pay your bills, you won't be happy -- so don't rule out the value of money just yet.

The top paying jobs in the environmental industry would include a civil engineer, an environmental engineer, or a geologist. If you want to work for the government (or corporations who need full-time people to help manage their assets), there also are college majors available in environmental resource management, forestry, and wildlife management. Again, all of these careers require a four-year college degree to get started.

In all of these cases, you need to have a strong background in science AND English. Writing skills are especially important since most of what is done in the environmental industry needs to be constantly documented and presented in a manner that is understandable. Take as many science courses as your high school has to offer -- biology, chemistry, and even physics. Mathematics also are important (calculus, trigonometry and, especially, statistics).

Hope this helps! Good luck!

Answer 4

You probably want to keep your options open as much as you can although if you can handle science you should do as much science as you can get away with (also do maths, certain people in the environmental movement sprout bulls*** because they can't do basic maths). Biology, Chemistry and Geology might seem the most important sciences dealing with the environment but don't underestimate Physics (which is what those three are based on).

Most environmental science degrees include quite a bit of the four mentioned sciences so the more you get exposed to them the better.

As for money and happiness, you should be able to get a job that provides enough money for you to be happy if you're willing to work at it, some people manage to become quite rich out of environmental consulting though that probably won't be you.

Answer 5

There are a lot of careers for the environmentally conscious.

Environmental scientist
Environmental management
Environmental engineer
Geologist
Park Ranger
etc.

I think a good plan would be to go to college and major in Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM). That would prepare you for a career in protecting natural habitats.

Answer 6

Environmental law is growing exponentially right now, look into; water rights, endangered species protection and emanate domain to find something you might like.

We need smart young Warriors like you to carry on the fight!

Answer 7

be an environmentalists any kind of it will do all kinds have almost just the same perspectives

Answer 8

check out the world wide communist party