From Guest Blogger Brooke Chaplain: Where Can a Degree in Environmental Studies Take You?

Environmental studies is a multifaceted degree path, generally available as either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Science (B.S.), depending on your preferred direction of study. With an environmental studies undergraduate degree, graduates can choose work in a multitude of growing job fields, including geological sciences, anthropology, public policy and administration, environmental planning or consulting, natural resource management, or even environmental law. Numerous universities from the well regarded University of California at Santa Barbara to UC Clermont College offer both a B.A. and a B.S. degree.

Bachelor of Arts
With a more human-driven focus, a B.A. in environmental studies is a stepping stone for many jobs in the public and private sector. Studying the interactions of people, cultures, and the climate can prepare a graduate for work in many job markets. Potential jobs that an environmental studies B.A. degree holder can obtain include public policy and administration, city planning, environmental planning, waste management, and regional planning. This degree is also a common stepping stone for those interested in environmental law, which is a very fast growing industry.

Bachelor of Science
A more scientific approach characterizes the B.S. in environmental studies. This degree generally requires a greater concentration of scientific classes including biology, mathematics, geology, and chemistry. The successful completion of a B.S. degree in environmental studies can lead to scientific or policy jobs in a wide array of industries, including environmental consulting and remediation, forestry and rangeland management, field biology, and even archaeology or paleontology. Each of these industries is growing rapidly as our population creates more impacts on the environment.

Available Jobs
A search for results including an environmental studies degree on a popular job website returned over 2,000 results from jobs across the United States. Specific jobs that are currently available for students with an environmental studies degree include Resource Efficiency Manager, Environmental Technician, Site Assessment and Remediation, Water Resource Specialist, and Facilities Planner. The listed salaries for these jobs range from $45,000 to $72,000 per year at an entry level position.

A degree in environmental studies can open a broad array of potential career choices, and is an excellent choice for a student interested in helping preserve the environment and shape the world for future generations. The wide array of available job opportunities for a graduate with either a B.A. or B.S. in environmental studies makes this degree choice an excellent one for the 21st century and beyond.