What can I do with a major in Environmental Science
Environmental Science focuses on understanding the Earth’s natural systems and how we, as humans, interact with them. The Environmental Science program will provide students with the natural and physical science background needed to understand a multitude of environmental systems, as well as the broad perspective required to appreciate the role of humanity in global environmental change. The program combines conceptual training in the foundation sciences (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences) with practical, hands-on experience.
The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science is a multi-disciplinary major that provides students with comprehensive science-based training as well as one semester of technical instruction at Lethbridge College. Students may also choose to pursue a concentration in Geographical Information Systems.
Students interested in Environmental Science can complete:
- Bachelor of Science (Environmental Science)
The combined degrees leverage synergies with other Bachelor programs and open up additional career opportunities.
Skills
- Ability to Assess Risk
- Attention to Detail
- Communication
- Computer Competency
- Conceptualize & Understand Situations
- Curious & Self-Motivated
- Cultural Awareness
- Data Collection
- Fieldwork Skills
- Independent Thinker
- Laboratory Techniques
- Logical Thinker
- Physically Fit
- Research Skills
- Societal Awareness & Sensitivity
- Work Independently
Work Environment
A career in Environmental Science will provide you with an exciting, thought-provoking role that promotes sustainability. Graduates of this program typically work in industries/organizations such as agribusiness, environment protection agencies, nature conservancies, occupational safety and health administration, environmental research laboratories and testing labs, agricultural or environmental consulting firms, privately owned farms, waste management firms, non-profit organizations, pharmaceutical industries, hazardous waste management firms, treatment plants, utilities and timber companies, marine sport fisheries, zoological parks, national parks, wildlife ranges and preserves, marinas, federal and provincial governmental organizations, universities and research institutes, scientific journals, law firms and market research companies.
Key Areas of Specialization:
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Soil Remediation
- Renewable Resource Management
- Air/Water Quality Research
- Environmental Protection
- Wildlife Research
- Environmental Consultancy
- Irrigation
- Environmental Education/Interpretation
- Fisheries
- Horticulture
- Conservation
- Ecology
Career Possibilities
These jobs are normally intended for new graduates and require 0 to 2 years of experience. It is important to note that many entry level positions require some related experience or demonstrated ability to perform job-related tasks. Even those positions that do not require experience will still prefer an experienced candidate if one is available.
- Animal Care Internship
- Animal Care Technician
- Entry Level Environmental & Regulatory Specialist
- Environmental Remediation Technician
- Environmental Specialist
- Junior Air Quality Engineer/Scientist
- Junior Environmental Technician/Engineer/Scientist
- National Park Services Intern
- Nature Internship
- New Farm Intern
- Water Stewardship Office
These jobs generally require extensive, relevant work experience and/or further education.
- Agricultural Engineer
- Agricultural Scientist
- Agricultural Technician
- Air Pollution Analyst
- Air Quality Engineer
- Air Quality Specialist
- Alternative Energy Specialist
- Aquatic Scientist
- Archaeologist
- Biochemist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Biostatistician
- Climatologist Specialist
- Conservation Officer
- Conservationist
- Director of Conservation
- Earth Scientist
- Ecologist
- Environment & Health Technician
- Environment Educator
- Environmental Activist
- Environmental Advocate
- Environmental Affairs Manager
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Assessment Lead Project Manager
- Environmental Cleanup Technician
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Engineer
- Environmental Film Maker
- Environmental Health Officer
- Environmental Impact Assessment officer
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Policy Manager
- Environmental Sanitarian
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Specialist
- Environmental Technician
- Fish & Wildlife Officer
- Fisheries and Aquatics Specialist Lead Project Manager
- Forester
- Geneticist
- Health Safety Consultant
- Horticulturist
- Industrial Environmental Manager
- Intermediate Environmental Planner
- Intermediate Waste Management Engineer
- Landscape Planting Crew Leader
- Life Scientist
- Meteorologist Analyst
- Microbiologist
- Organic Farming and Gardening Internship
- Organic Grower/Educator
- Park Superintendent
- Policy & Decision Analyst –Environmental Commissioner
- Pollution Control Analyst
- Pollution Control Engineer
- Research Assistant, Architectural Ecology
- Research Technician
- Restoration Coordinator
- Risk Assessment Specialist
- Toxicologist
- University Professor
- Water Quality Specialist
- Water Resource Technician
- Watershed Ecologist
- Wetland Ecologist
On average, people change their careers three to five times in their lifetime. So, no matter what major you choose, you may still be interested in opportunities totally unrelated to your program of study. We encourage you to be open to all possibilities! Your undergraduate degree can be a springboard for other educational pursuits, and your transferable skills and experience can prepare you to work in a multitude of settings.
- Agronomist
- Building Inspector
- Business Development Manager
- Career Development Professional
- Chemical Laboratory Analyst
- City Planner
- Communication Specialist
- Community Planner
- Computer Programmer
- Data Miner
- Eco Tour Specialist
- Economist
- Environmental Lawyer
- Exhibit Director
- Farm Manager
- Farmer Market Manager
- Foreign Service Officer
- Forensic Scientist
- Forester
- Geo-database Product Engineer
- Geochemist
- Geographer
- Geographic Data Analyst
- GIS Technician
- GIS Sales Specialist
- Human Resources Professional
- Immigration Officer
- Insurance Claim Adjuster
- Intelligence Agent
- International Business Representative
- Land Use Planner
- Licensed Surveyor
- Lobbyist
- Manager/Owner of Surveying Business
- Merchandising Representative
- Mining Engineering Technician
- Office Manager
- Park Planner
- Photojournalist
- Police Officer
- Private Investigator
- Project Manager
- Property Manager
- Public Consultant
- Public Relation Representative
- Reporter
- Statistician
- Technical Assistant
- Technical Writer
- Tour Director
- Urban Planner
- Volunteer Coordinator
- Webmaster
- Wildlife Manager
- Writer/Author/Editor
Useful Resources
- Environmental Services Association of Alberta http://www.esaa.org
- Environment and Climate Change Canada http://www.ec.gc.ca
- Canadian Environmental Network http://rcen.ca/
- Canadian Environment Assessment Agency https://www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency.html
- Canadian Environmental http://www.canadianenvironmental.com/
- Alberta Conservation Association http://www.ab-conservation.com/
- Society of Toxicology of Canada (STC) http://www.stcweb.ca
- Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment https://www.ccme.ca/
- Canadian Environmental Certification Approvals Board http://www.cecab.org
- Eco Canada –Environmental Careers Organization http://www.eco.ca/
- Earth Sciences Canada http://earthsciencescanada.com/careers/
- Environmental & Science Engineering Magazine http://www.esemag.com/
- World Environment Center http://www.wec.org/
- Canadian Environmental Law Association http://www.cela.ca
- American Association for the Advancement of Science http://www.aaas.org/
- National Association of Environmental Professionals http://www.naep.org/
- The Canadian Ecology Centre http://www.canadianecology.ca/
- Ecology Society of America http://www.esa.org/
- Commonwealth Forestry Association http://www.cfa-international.org
Add Value to Your Degree
The more you do to differentiate yourself, the more likely you are to succeed in building a fulfilling career path for yourself. It takes more than just attending classes to stand out amongst other students and new graduates. Become an explorer! Try new things, challenge yourself, build unique skills, and connect with diverse people.
Use the ideas listed below to help you brainstorm experiences to add value to your degree. For more ideas on experiential opportunities at the University of Lethbridge, view the Student Experience Transcript.
Making connections with others is one of the best ways to learn about the world of work and gain access to career-building opportunities. Making meaningful connections with people is often called building a network. Building these connections can give you access to jobs before they are posted, or to jobs that are not publicly posted. Employers like to hire people they have already built relationships with, and are more likely to hire people who have been recommended by trusted colleagues and friends.
Start building your network by attending Career Fairs and other on-campus recruitment events found on the Career Services Events page within the Career Bridge portal. Get introduced to career professionals in a welcoming and approachable way through uLethbridge Connect at Ten Thousand Coffees. Consider joining a professional association to help you find opportunities to meet experienced professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
d professionals in your field, find training opportunities, be paired with a mentor, or get involved in committees or other volunteer positions.
Co-operative Education allows you to earn income through real-world work experience that is related to your academic studies. Completing a co-op work term provides you with an opportunity to build your skills in a practical work setting, network with employers, and increase your marketability after graduation.
Co-operative education is available to undergraduate and graduate-level students within a variety of programs in the Faculty of Arts & Science, Dhillon School of Business, Faculty of Fine Arts, and Faculty of Health Sciences. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how co-op works here.
The Applied Studies program offers you the opportunity to earn academic credit for learning gained through employment or volunteer experiences. Placements provide skill development and experiential learning related to your studies by integrating principles learned in the classroom with practical situations encountered on the job.
Participating in clubs and running for student government are great ways to build employability skills, learn how to work with others, and demonstrate your leadership abilities.
The University of Lethbridge Students’ Union is committed to building a rewarding and enriching experience for undergraduate students. They have positions for Executive Council members and General Assembly members, as well as an extensive list of ratified clubs, offering opportunities to get involved in areas of interest and in leadership positions.
The Graduate Students’ Association’s mandate is to identify and advocate for graduate student needs. They have GSA Executive positions, GSA Council positions, and a mentorship program for incoming students.
The University of Lethbridge provides many different opportunities to gain research experience in addition to the required courses in your degree program.
An independent study is a chance for you to design your own research project for course credit under the supervision of a professor of your choice. Course work usually requires independent library research and/or field work and/or a major term paper. For more information, meet with an Academic Advisor and the Department or Faculty member under whom you wish to pursue an Independent Study.
You can also opt to complete an Undergraduate Thesis Course. This will allow you to earn an “Honours Thesis” designation on your degree and is a great springboard into graduate studies and professional programs. Fourth-year standing and a cumulative GPA of 3.30 is required to complete an Honours Thesis; it is also helpful to have previous research experience like Independent Studies. For more information, contact the Department or Faculty member under whom you with to pursue your Honours Thesis.
The Office of Research and Innovation Services has a wealth of information on additional research opportunities for students, including Student Funding, Student Research Positions, AGILITY, and events. The School of Graduate Studies has information on Research Opportunities/Graduate Student Positions and GA/Co-op/Internship Opportunities. If you are interested in building your research portfolio, do not miss out on these opportunities!
International experience builds valuable employability skills like adaptability, multi-cultural awareness, and the initiative to take on new challenges. Gain an international perspective by participating in Education Abroad opportunities like semester exchanges, study tours, field studies, work-study tours, internships, and more. Learn about international careers and resources through MyWorldAbroad (available within the Career Bridge portal).
Volunteerism is an excellent way to demonstrate your current skills, build new skills, and grow your network. If you are not sure where to get started, connect with UVolunteer, the University of Lethbridge’s partnership with Volunteer Lethbridge. If you already volunteer, UVolunteer can provide you with a framework to organize and document your volunteer work. If you are not sure how or where to get involved, UVolunteer can help you find volunteer opportunities that meet your needs and the needs of your community. Also consider volunteering with a local Board, Commission, or Committee.