If you are studying for – or are thinking of studying for – an environmental science degree, you are probably a person who is concerned about the environment and keen on doing what you can to look after our planet – and the people and plants on it.

We are learning more and more about how what we do is impacting the local and global environment, and with a degree in environmental science, you will be well placed to be a person who can begin to really make a difference to the world.

Many careers are open to you if you have an environmental science degree, and, such is the nature of the world that we now live in, many new environmental science-related careers are emerging all of the time.

Here are seven roles which you might like to consider if you have a degree in environmental science:

1. Water Treatment
Clean and safe water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource around the world and working for a company that helps us to save and treat water means that you can make an extremely valuable contribution.

Septic tanks are a great way to help to deal with wastewater in an environmentally friendly way. According to Tanks for Everything, septic tanks use “natural processes and a basic treatment method that is simple, effective and environmentally friendly”.

Working in water treatment might involve testing water samples, designing wastewater systems, consulting on water treatment or visiting contaminated water sites. It is an important job which has a massive impact on the Earth as well as people, individually.

2. Environmental Engineer
The future of the planet relies on environmental engineering. Environmental engineers are mainly focussed on two aspects – designing, developing, and innovating technology which will help to improve our environment, and maintaining any equipment or machinery which has already been designed and is in use.

Although we might feel that we have solutions to some of the environmental challenges which we are facing in the world at the moment, there are almost always ways that these ‘solutions’ can be improved.

As an environmental engineer, you are at the front of innovations that can help the environment that we live in and our impact on the world.

3. Conservation Scientist
If you have a deep interest in wildlife and conservation, a career as a conservation scientist could be right up your street – or, indeed, track. A conservation scientist would help to understand, analyse and look after wild land such as woods and forests, and wildlife. You would also be integral to conveying messages related to the preservation of the countryside and wildlife to businesses, local communities, children, and the government.

Conservation plays an integral part in the future of the planet and delicate balance of flora and fauna which allows us to live our lives, and we must value and look after it.

4. Environmental Science Teacher
What better way to help to make the world a better place than to inspire the next generation of environmental scientists. Teaching can be done at secondary schools or universities to give today’s children the thirst to go on to study environmental science themselves, and the tools to help them do so.

It is also worth noting that not everyone who you teach will want to go into environmental science. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t help them to develop an interest in the environment and help them to change their actions and attitudes to be kinder to the planet.

5. Sustainability Specialist
As a sustainability specialist, you would use the skills and knowledge that you have acquired whilst studying for your degree to help to improve sustainability in a community or business.

You could work on community projects, helping to plan, run and promote them as well as seeking funding, or you could work for a specific company to improve their internal sustainability through changing practices, attitudes, and incentives.

6. Environmental Researcher
It is difficult to change anything in the world without first having research about why it needs to change. As a researcher, you would collect and analyse data related to specific issues and then present it to people in a coherent way so that they can make decisions about how to react.

Typically, you could be reporting to businesses, local communities or government bodies – often concerning securing funding for new or existing projects.

7. Environmental Lawyer
Although you would also need to qualify as a lawyer, a career in environmental law is an important one – and something that is in high demand. An environmental lawyer would require you to have an in-depth understanding of all issues around environmental law.

You would often work towards changing attitudes to the environment as well as legal policies, representing people in legal disputes and ensuring that right is done by the environment,

If you have a degree in environmental science, you have many career options. And by focussing on the impact that we are having on the planet you can be sure that you also have a career that will make a difference for years to come.

>For upcoming Engineering Placements and Graduate Jobs, please register your interest here.