Are you wondering, where will I fit in with a degree in Environmental Studies?

Not a very tough question to answer these days when every country in the world is trying to fight pollution and educate people about the dangers of such hazards as atomic waste, nuclear waste, environmental pollutants and industrial wastes.
What are the areas of employment?

You can be part of Planning in areas like Building and Zoning, Land use, Aviation, Recreation, Transportation, Water resources, Air quality, Corporations, Consulting firms, Real estate development companies, Market research firms, NGOs, Banks and Architectural firms. You can have a planning speciality like transportation or air quality and this together with a Master's in Communication and writing skills can easily get you places. It is very important that you develop a strong scientific or technical background. Read up and have a wide knowledge base in say, law, economics, politics and architecture and heritage preservation (a really hot topic today). Be well informed about environmental laws and regulations. Join environmental groups and professional organizations - it will establish your network. You will also gain by becoming active in environmental political organizations.

Another important area of specialization is Solid Waste Management. For this a background in Chemistry, Engineering or Logistics will help. Recycling, Transportation, government committees in Planning, private waste management firms, consulting firms and NGOs are areas in which you could be employed. To make your application attractive, you could choose some unusual material and think of creative means of recycling and reusing it.

You can also think of specializing in Hazardous Waste Management and Water Quality Management. This will involve areas like Quality control, Risk Assessment, Public and Environmental health, Industrial hygiene and related Law. Chemical engineering, Biology or Chemistry could be your subjects. Try and attend public meetings and discussions on these issues. Gain computer expertise. Laboratory experience will certainly help. Try working in a regulatory agency to get experience. Do a course in technical writing. Join local citizen groups on environment conservation. Waste water treatment, groundwater protection and toxicology can be subjects you can choose to specialize in. Focus on a particular technical field. Analytical Chemistry, Biology and Civil or Environmental engineering can be your fields of study if you are interested in this aspect.

Ecotourism is something many women are interested in taking up as a career. You have to equip yourself in areas like communication, fund raising, and also develop both technical and interpersonal skills. Working knowledge of at least one foreign language will certainly help.

General Pointers

• For a lucrative career in this field, you have to be familiar with current environmental laws and regulations.
• Read plenty of journals and related material to keep yourself updated.
• Enrol for volunteer work in this field.
• Network and get to know people in your area of interest.
• Your career focus could be in administration and policy making or in technical areas and research.
• Attend as many seminars, conferences and workshops on the environment.

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