If you’re passionate about pursuing careers in environmental protection and you’re still in high school, consider speaking with your guidance counselor. Discuss your career ambitions and ask whether you can add any relevant courses that may help you prepare for your future. All types of science and math courses may prove useful, particularly classes such as ecology, biology, chemistry and environmental science. Consider taking a communications course as well — strong verbal and written communication skills will be an asset for you.
After high school, you will need to plan on earning a baccalaureate environmental science degree, such as a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with an Emphasis in Environmental Chemistry degree. Depending on the school you choose, this type of program should lean heavily on science competencies, but also offer a look at environmental law and risk assessments. During or after college, it can also be beneficial to apply to an internship.
Aspiring environmental protection specialists can also enhance their job qualifications by pursuing a professional certification. Professional certifications are available from various professional organizations, such as the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management and the Ecological Society of America.
After high school, the first step in the process of pursuing careers in environmental protection is to earn your bachelor’s degree. While working toward your environmental science degree, you’ll explore the assessment, remediation and management of environmental pollutants, as well as the effects of pollutants on ecosystems and their inhabitants, including humans. You’ll also gain fundamental competencies in scientific principles and skills.
Although the specific curriculum will vary from one school and program to the next, you can generally expect to study topics such as the following:
- Biological concepts, including cellular components and functions, relationships and life cycles of organisms
- The roles and interplay of the Earth’s systems, and their importance for human life
- Modern environmental management and sustainability practices
- The concepts, data sources and methodologies that can be applied to human health risk assessment, environmental hazard identification, exposure assessment and risk communication
- Environmental protection laws that cover areas such as air and water quality, toxic and hazardous substances, endangered species and the management of wetlands and coastal areas
- Qualitative, quantitative and instrumental analyses of samples
You may be required to complete a capstone course during your senior year. A capstone course is an opportunity to demonstrate your acquired skills and knowledge, and possibly to pursue a topic that you are particularly passionate about. It will also give you some practice in communicating your findings via an oral presentation and/or written report.
It’s strongly recommended that you pursue internship opportunities, either during college or immediately after graduation. An internship will enable you to practice real-world skills and become familiar with the sophisticated software that environmental protection specialists use. For instance, professionals need to know how to use sophisticated software to create computer models, and they need to know how to use Geographic Information Systems (GISs). Plus, you’ll gain professional connections and can request letters of recommendation.
If you’re curious whether an environmental protection specialist needs a graduate environmental science degree, ultimately the decision is up to you. While it’s not necessary to earn a master’s degree in environmental science to land an entry-level job in this field, it may be necessary for advancement. Not all environmental protection specialists have a master’s degree, and it’s even less common to have a doctoral degree.
A professional certification might not be a strict requirement for employment (depending on the employer), however, earning one is recommended. Becoming certified may help you pursue advancement opportunities, and it demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence.
The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) offers various certifications for environmental protection specialists and other professionals who need to handle hazardous materials safely. You might also pursue a certification from the Ecological Society of America (ESA). The certification you may qualify for depends on your years of experience.
For instance, you may qualify to pursue an Ecologist in Training certification after earning your bachelor’s degree, before gaining professional work experience. After gaining at least one year of full-time work experience, you might pursue the Associate Ecologist certification. Higher levels of certification require additional work experience and/or a graduate degree.4