What Is Environmental Science? Environmental Science is science based on natural and Earthly processes and problems. It includes conservation, wildlife management and fisheries biology and management along with forestry and many others. These scientists help protect our natural environment. They identify problems and pollutions to minimize bad health and bad population numbers in environments. Some work in a lab or office, some Environmental Scientists work out in the field collecting data first hand from the ecosystem. Many do both and work full time. For most of these jobs it is highly recommended you at least get your bachelors degree. Although most college websites will tell you most Environmental Science students go on to get their doctorate. This is not always true, and you have to be careful of University and college bias on statistics, they often will lead you to believe handing them more money is always the best option.
Choosing was easy, I enjoy hiking and the outdoors. As a traveler, I have seen many different types of landscape and animals. As a child of the Pacific Northwest, I can not say I would rather be anywhere else. There are many beautiful places in the world to be outdoors. I am biased to say the Northwest is my favorite. Not simply because I grew up here, but because of the vast diversity in landscape and climates. From the Ocean, to the Rainforest, to the Cascades, the Scablands, the glacier lakes and rivers, and beautiful evergreen forests, it is my belief that the Northwest has everything to offer.
My dad was a high school Biology teacher and I have grown up learning about science and nature. In particular about animals. My family got into raising Alpacas as live stock when I was young. A mix of my dads want to utilize the land and my mothers love for animals and respect for South American culture. After selling the herd and divorcing my parents remained within the same country community. My dad had a wooded 5 acre lot, and he was what I would definitely consider a bird expert. He know hundred of different species of birds and could tell you every type of bird that would come to his feeders. Since he passed away I inherited his estate and have decided to go back to school both in his honor and for my own benefit. His death has made me realize how important science is to me and how much the outdoors matches my spirituality and beliefs. My father never hunted but one activity he took very seriously was fishing. I was taught to fish at a young age, and have all my own gear. I don’t enjoy eating fish as much as I like catching them but no one can throw back a beautiful Northwestern Brown Trout. Seasoned right on the grill with grilled potatoes and onion on the side its truly a classic Northwestern dish, one I was raised on.
All these factors and more influenced my personal decision. There was more than that however, I had seen a figure on Environmental Science degrees that said jobs would increase 25% in the next decade. After some researching and looking at facts it was apparent in this economy I can’t afford to go to school and not come out and get a job, and not just a minimum wage job but a real one that will help me pay bills and reduce school debt. Here is some information I found out about Environmental Science.
While looking at the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, I discovered that actual figures for this job. The average pay based upon the 2010 census is $61,700 per year and $29.66 an hour. The growth of the job outlook is predicted to be 19% through 2020. This is considered an average growth by the bureau. Out of the handful of University sites I have come across during my search most of them put this number above 20%, hence the number I had first heard. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does mention that the number of increase in jobs might be lower than what actually occurs due to the growing demand higher populations are having on our environment, and the cultural awareness of ecological hazards are making this field expand more rapidly than expected.
Also the school I was able to look into has a double major program for Biology and Environmental Science. Which means I can get a teaching job if I go get certified for education. This is essential because Biology is now a state requirement for high school graduation. In the state of Washington they have just passed a statewide curriculum for science, that includes biology as a must have to receive a high school diploma. This means science elective classes, like Environmental Science are being cut all over schools, as students no longer have a choice between the two. Biology is the basis of a lot of environmental science, and is a building block to other sciences. Everyone should take Biology, but be encourage to expand and try new sciences and experiment with science. To teach science however, you almost always need a degree in what you are teaching and in a few years Environmental Sciences might be left for the college bound students.
To anyone looking at different careers in science, I encourage you to continue in science. There simply are not enough young scientists in the world. As an ending I will leave you with this inspirational video I found on TED Talks website. The video speaker is E. O. Wilson. The speech entitled Advice to Young Scientists.
Sources:
United States Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. New England: , 2010. Web. http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm.
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