From Guest Blogger Eileen O’Shanassy: Where Are Environmental Science Degrees Needed the Most?

For many people, their passion is the environment and natural world around them. If you love the outdoors and nature and want to do your part to help conserve the environment for future generations, getting a degree in environmental science, law, or biology might be something you’ve considered. However, how do you use that degree once you have obtained it to make the biggest impact? How do you get a job with these kinds of credentials? Below in this article are some places where people with environmental degrees are needed the most.

The Government

One of the largest employers of people with environmental related degrees is the US government. Different agencies do different things, but one of those tasks is helping to conserve plant life and wildlife in national parks, national forests, national shorelines, federally designated wildlife refuges, and conservation areas. If you want to work directly with nature on a daily basis, entering this sector of public service is an excellent choice. According to statistics, there are 34,075 different protected environments in the United States. That much government controlled property requires a large workforce to help insure plant life and animal habitats in those places remain preserved.

Green Energy Companies

Green energy has been an industry steadily growing at a break neck pace for quite some time. The United States is the leader in the renewable energy market, investing billions a year. China comes in at second place. Whether it is solar power, wind power, hydropower, biomass or geothermal energy, green energy is a growth industry with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. If you wish to help the environment, it may be a good idea to obtain an environmental degree with the goal of working for a renewable energy company. Such positions pay well and are in demand all over the world.

Environmental Consultancy

Even if you do not work directly for a green energy company, you can still work within the business world to advance the causes of conservation, energy efficiency and environmental protectionism. Many companies seek the advice of environmental experts on how to ensure their facilities and products produce the least harm to the environment possible. Environmental consultants are certainly needed in large numbers to help companies conform to government regulations, avoid costly lawsuits, and maintain positive public relations. You can find online degrees from an accredited school that work for many of these kinds of positions.

Overall, there are many great jobs for those who wish to study environmental science. New positions are opening up every day. Consider investigating the programs available at your colleges and universities that can give you the qualifications necessary to work with the environment.