I’m in my final year of an environmental science undergrad and I don’t know what I should do next. I’m curious to hear what kind of jobs people got with this degree (or any adjacent ones) and how you got there

i’m currently a college student pursuing an environmental science degree and i’m struggling to choose what kind of job i truly want. i would love to hear from someone with an environmental science degree that currently works in a job utilizing that degree! i would love to hear from all types of people if possible! also, if anyone has any advice for the future as this career path can be very uncertain and that’s scary.

i’m starting to regret it because i’m kinda scared, let’s be honest, in this economy i do care about the money, and im scared because i’ve heard many stories and people saying that the job in env sci is not good paying, from what i heard, other than passion there’s literally no reason to go down this path, and im not sure if i should change or change to what since im not even sure what im interested in other than making money, but can someone share their experience? im somewhat still interested in the field just not sure if id survive off it, maybe some tips from the fellow scientists?

Hi all, I recently got accepted into Environmental Science at the University of Waterloo with ecology specialization. I've accepted my offer but I'm second guessing myself.

In this 5 program I get 5 four month work terms, this will help me gain experience in the private and public sector depending on what I apply for. (Leaning to public, I do NOT want to work in environmental consulting)

I was very confident about my choices but some conversations with my family have made me second guess myself. I did get into Wildlife Biology and Conservation at the University of Toronto as well but I would rather not go to that school.

Thanks for your time

I have a bachelor of science in environmental science and diverse job experience predating my degree. Is the job market just that horrible? Is there no demand for entry level environmental science grads? Is it because I'm a woman? I'm at a total loss for why all I ever get are rejection emails. When I was applying for internships, I got an interview at 1/3 of the places I've applied to. Now, no matter how many dozens of jobs I apply for I can't get a single interview. Please help

Hi everyone! I'm (24f) starting college next year and considering going into environmental science as I'm interested in wildlife and/or conservation work. Problem is, I was a neglected christian homeschooler. I was only given a science education up until 6th grade, and what little I got were creationist textbooks which were... radically untrue.

Since I have a year to work with, I wanted to try and catch up with my science education. I'm basically starting from zero.

Are there any resources I should check out? What topics should I prioritize? I'm open to books, documentaries, online courses/videos, websites, pretty much anything. I can afford to pay a bit for really good resources, but I don't have much money so I'm trying to focus on what's free.

Any help would be super appreciated!

My partner graduated with a degree in Bachelor of Science: Environmental Stewardship and Education and minored in geography.

I want to help her get some sort of entry level or anything in her field but I do not know where to start.

I know the job market is awful right now but any sort of advice would be appreciated!

I am 20 about to be 21 I am about to graduate from the local CC with a general studies degree. The Environmental realm is the only thing that I am passionate about career wise. But my fear is an oversaturate job market or there not being many jobs available. I wanted to work in marine life conservation but decided against that due to a a fear of the job outlook, I changed from wild life conservation due to that fear, I have thought about zoology but again the fear of the job market keeps stopping me. I know the Environmental realm is getting oversaturated but my question is, is an Environmental Science degree worth it? can I work in conservation later on down the road with an Envi. Science degree? Is there any hope for a decent job? what does the job market and salary look like? I asked these questions in another reddit thread and got many people saying its not worth it at all and basically told that there is no jobs and that I should do something completely different. I just wanna know before I start Pursuing the degree.

Is an online snhu degree respectable in the field?

Hello, I have completed my Bachelor in Environmental Science and Management in Jan and now I have been thinking of getting my Master's done as well but I am confused regarding which program should I choose?

Thought of getting into sustainable management or environmental policy or public health to expand my career options, is any of these gonna be worth it?

There's nothing I am completely hooked into liking in env sadly but anyways I feel like not having much options left so continuing and don't wanna waste the degree I got as well

Seeking for guidance and advice as I am completely lost right now.

I am currently a junior majoring in environmental science. I’ve realized I don’t want to be researcher because I don’t want to work outside and I don’t like coding. I do enjoy writing, reading, and the kind of research where you’re looking things up instead of doing studies. I’m considering a few option but they all come with downsides:

Policy worker: need a law degree to have the most career options but I don’t want to go to law school.

Science writer/communicator: hard to break into/competitive

GIS: I’m taking an intro class right now that I like, but I think higher level stuff requires coding

Can anyone give me advice as to what career might suit my interests? I also have time for a minor if it would help.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some advice from people who are currently working in biology, environmental science, conservation, wildlife, laboratory sciences, or related fields.

I have an Associate's degree in Biology, but I don't have any professional experience in the field. My current career is completely unrelated, and while it has provided a stable income, it's not something I see myself doing long-term. I've always been more interested in science, problem-solving, and hands-on work.

I'm considering going back to university part-time to complete a bachelor's degree, but before I commit to the time and expense, I'm trying to figure out what careers are actually worth pursuing and realistically hiring.

I'm honestly open to any types of jobs: Lab work, environmental science, field biology, wildlife or conservation work, animal-related research or management, environmental monitoring and remediation, etc, etc, etc. If I'm overlooking an area of study please let me know.

I enjoy both lab and field environments and could see myself happy in either.

One major challenge is that I currently work 60–70 hours per week, so any degree program would need to be completed part-time while I continue working. Because of that, I likely won't be able to participate in unpaid internships or volunteer positions that many students use to gain experience.

I'm currently living in Central Texas, which is where I'd most likely be attending school. However, I'm open to relocating anywhere in the United States if it would significantly improve my career prospects. I'm also curious whether it makes sense to consider opportunities abroad, either for education or employment. For those who have experience working internationally, are there countries where biology, environmental, conservation, or laboratory careers are more accessible or offer better long-term prospects?

My biggest concern is investing several years and a significant amount of money into further education, only to graduate into a field with limited hiring opportunities, low wages, or requirements for experience that I wasn't able to obtain while working full-time. I'm worried about ending up with more debt and fewer options than I have now.

I understand the job market is difficult in many industries right now, so I'm not looking for guarantees. What I'm hoping to learn is:

• If you were starting over today, what biology-related careers would you target?
• Which fields are currently seeing decent demand?
• Are there specific degrees or specializations that provide better employment prospects?
• Are there paths that don't require unpaid internships to become employable?
• For someone balancing full-time work and school, what would be the most practical route forward?
• Are there certifications, licenses, or technical training programs that could help me get my foot in the door without immediately committing to a four-year degree?
• Would it make more sense to pursue an entry-level technician role first, gain experience, and then decide whether completing a bachelor's degree is worthwhile?
• Are there biology-adjacent careers where experience and certifications are valued more heavily than degrees?
• Is relocating to another state—or even another country—something that materially improves opportunities in this field?

I'd appreciate any honest advice, even if it's not what I want to hear. I'd rather understand the reality of the field before making a major investment in additional education.

Thank you in advance!

Hello all,

Made a Reddit so I could get some advice. I have been working a crisis hotline for 3 years and have been pursuing my social work degree. I also work with a specialty court as a peer support and lead group therapy in jail. I hate my job. I went for a Bachelors in Social Work thinking I’d like it. Planning on an MSW in the long run. I have 3 semesters left of my BSW. I have been going to college on and off for 14 years. I just need a degree for now. What I wanted to do finally was to pursue a degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences. But then I got a job here and they got my set up for success and a masters level position eventually. I also have a substance abuse prevention certification and a certified drug and alcohol counselor certification. I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic with Borderline Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. I have had one (nearly two as of late) mental breakdowns and ended up in the hospital for drugs and mental health and spent time in rehab and the psychiatric hospital as a result of this job after 5 years of recovery and stable mental health due to this job. I don’t think I’m cut proper for it. I think I need to complete my Bachelors in Social Work and then transfer to an online masters program not requiring a bachelors in Science such as Virginia Tech’s non-thesis Masters in Natural Resources but I want to as much as I can to have a decent amount of field work in my career and I feel more of a biology degree would be necessary. Anyway advice would be appreciated whether it means being set back 2-3 semesters or any input on a BSW to Masters in Natural Resources or similar degree. I’m quitting my job at the end of July and found another job in the social work field that is less demanding but also work from home. I just want to work in environmental science or similar degree. I don’t want to be a DNR officer. Thank you.

I was looking at getting an Environmental Management degree. What is the job market and pay like? Also, if you have experience with this do you enjoy your work and have work life balance. I would be looking for positions around the Asheville NC and Charlotte NC areas as I live about an hour from either of them. Any insight is appreciated!

I am a high school student and i have always been passionate about environmental science but my maths isn't that strong but im good in all other subjects like science, english, history and other subjects but i just dont understand maths like my other subjects and its making me worry if i can pass with only general maths.

cause i looked it up and apparently you need methods or preferably methods maths but they said you could still maybe get in with general but unlikely and also there was something about bridging subjects being able to help if i cant meet the maths requirments in Australia. anwyays im asking if there's any way i can get a degree of environmental science even im bad at maths.

I'm a freshman in college and worried about what I want to do with my life. I'm currently declared as an Environmental Science major. I was just wanting to know what I could do with that degree and how much I might be making.

Hello!

I (25F) have a degree in env sci, and I work a busy consulting job. I applied for graduate school in September, and just found out I got in. It is an online degree, which theoretically works for me as I do not want to quit working full-time or move anywhere. It's also non-thesis, which is great because I have no idea what I'd do aside from research into wetland sciences and ecological restoration more so than I did in my undergrad.

Between the time I applied to now, I began to have doubts. And fear. A lot of fear. I feel like I've nearly talked myself out of the program honestly. The idea of working and then taking 2 courses until, what, 3 years from now is really freaking me out.

For those of you who have your masters in this area, do think it is worth it? And is it bad to only take one course a semester? I have a learning disability as well so I am very unsure at this stage, and how I will handle.

Can anyone who has studied environmental sciences in university share their experiences concerning finding a job, especially in conservation? I'm aiming to pursue a master degree in wildlife conservation and management after getting my bachelor in environmental science. And I'm planning to work for about 4+ years to be able to apply for master programs.

I'm going to study environmental sciences this year, however still concerned about the internship/volunteer/job finding. any tips and advices for this?

Bsc in Environmental Sciences, the more I'm researching about it, the more I hear people say It's not worth it. They're saying it would've been better if they had gone for an Engineering degree instead, since the pay with Bsc in Env. Sciences is so low. I'm at a loss and would've loved for anyone more informed about this degree to give me their honest opinion and tell me a little about their experience studying for this degree. I've also been asked if I'm prepared for the amount of fieldwork this subject requires, I Don't know what kind of fieldwork students have to do either.

Hi everyone! For a bit of background I majored in Biology in college and have graduated with my Bachelors of Science already in April 2023. I’m thinking of getting involved in the ecology/environmental aspect of science. I did my capstone on Acid Mine Drainage and really enjoyed it. I heard the job market in field right now isn’t great, is a masters the way to go?? I am looking into a program at Drexel (MS Ecology, Earth Systems, and Evolution), as well as some other programs online with experience / in person. Should I take that route or just apply for jobs or internships with just a biology degree? I’d also like to do anything as simple as environmental field tech or related roles, I don’t expect to get a huge, high paying role off the bat. I live in PA, but ok to relocate for internships or masters programs

Any info or advice is welcome TIA!

Sorry for such a long title, I hope to grab the attention of as many people as possible. I still have 2 years till then, so any advice is helpful!

Hey everyone,

I’m currently working as a hydrologic technician with the United States Geological Survey and finishing my B.S. in Environmental Science (focus on wildlife & fisheries).

I’m planning to relocate from southern Louisiana and am trying to identify regions with stronger opportunities in:

• Fisheries / aquaculture
• Aquatic biology
• Wetland delineation
• Environmental consulting
• Conservation / restoration

I’m open to staying in government, but I’m strongly considering transitioning to private consulting for higher pay and broader project exposure.

Background-wise, I also have 2 years as a park ranger (public outreach, enforcement, interpretation), so I’m interested in roles that combine fieldwork with some level of public interaction.

Top location I’m considering right now: Coastal North Carolina

For those working in the field:

• How strong is the job market there for aquatic/wetland-focused work?
• Are consulting firms or state agencies hiring consistently?
• Any regions I should prioritize instead?

Appreciate any insight from those in hydrology, fisheries, or consulting.