Today there is an immediate need for thousands of new engineers, chemists, geologists, biologists, and environmental planners, but the pool of college graduates from which to choose is small. For the past few years, the majority of college graduates have had to reckon with a grim job market, with the work force in many traditionally strong sectors of the economy remaining stagnant or shrinking. Graduating college students with business and humanity degrees have found themselves without a job or even an interview for many months. This is not the case for students interested in the environmental sciences. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that by the end of the decade, the U.S. economy could absorb four times the number of science graduates presently employed. In fact, the U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) estimates that the federal government will employ 90 percent of all new environmental engineering graduates and 20 percent of the environmental science majors by the year 2000, leaving a huge employment gap for the private sector to fill with only a handful of graduates. In all, the environmental field is one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy, and the continuing shortage of qualified individuals will guarantee those with the proper training lucrative job offers and commensurate salaries in the coming years.
Recent Trends in Environmental Education
Some recent trends in the environmental job sector deserve particular attention. First, a college degree is becoming a standard criteria for employment. This is a solid requirement for young, entry-level applicants and a definite edge for those with established job experience. A four-year bachelor of science degree is becoming the norm for most professional job candidates, while a two-year associate's degree or certificate of training from a community college or vocational institute is the prerequisite for most technical positions. Employers are typically requiring their workers to have a higher level of education than their predecessors in the same position. Further, it is also not unusual for employers to hire a large number of candidates with some form of graduate training. Increasingly, private companies and government agencies are requiring, as a condition of employment, their employees to take continuing environmental education courses. These classes are partially or fully paid for by an employer and often lead to a technical certificate or even a graduate degree. The reason for these rigorous educational standards is quite simple: the complexity of environmental problems and level of technological and organizational sophistication necessary to solve our most pressing environmental problems make those with a post secondary education, and a willingness to keep on learning, the most attractive job candidates.
There is presently a large career advantage for those trained in the basic sciences, and a majority of environmental job descriptions stress some type of specific technical training. The complexity of design and maintenance of mechanical systems, and the technical know-how needed to operate these systems, have made job functions highly specialized. The advantage is that an individual can seek training at a college or technical institute that prepares them for a specific job. Thus, someone interested in water pollution control systems can seek training as a pollution control technician or as a water quality engineer.
While this deployment of human resources will continue for environmental technicians and specialists, it is in a state of change for environmental professionals. The ability to manage projects that transcend science disciplines and the skills necessary to make sound business decisions is becoming essential. Many environmental professionals lack this type of training because they have been boxed in to narrow scientific disciplines. In the New Complete Guide to Environmental Careers, a frustrated state Department of Environmental Protection supervisor commented on this problem, "Our wildlife biologists know wildlife, but they can't talk to our foresters. How, then, can they possibly perform the integrated natural resources management that is being called for?" Also, according to a recruiter for a nationwide environmental recruiting agency, environmental professionals now need a broader base of knowledge because many companies are seeking professionals with a combination of technical and business skills. In response to this trend, it is becoming more common to find fresh college graduates with both an engineering and a master of business administration (MBA) degree. A combination of broad scientific knowledge and administrative skills is beginning to define the ideal environmental professional.
Finally, increasing attention is being paid to prospective professional environmental scientists with solid decision-making and communication skills. These are liberal arts tools, like analytical thinking, writing, speaking, and cooperative abilities. While these are the strengths of most students interested in the humanities, they have historically been a weakness for those trained in the physical sciences. Increasingly, employers are looking for people who have a substantive understanding of technical issues and who can develop creative solutions and, most importantly, relate their thinking to others. The vice president of a large timber firm pointedly addressed this issue in saying, "What separates the forest managers from the technicians is not their knowledge of forestry but their liberal arts skills: They can work with people, they can communicate and they can see and solve problems." There is a definite trend toward seeking professionals with more well-rounded education, and those able to master these skills will surely face the brightest job market.
Sources of Further Information.
Careers for Environmental Types and Others Who Respect the Earth (1993). By Michael Fasulo and Jane Kinney, and published by VGM Career Horizons, National Textbook Co. Describes environmental careers in government, the nonprofit sector, the media, and the greening of the corporate sector.
The New Complete Guide to Environmental Careers (1993). By the Environmental Careers Organization and published by Island Press. An excellent resource for scientific and technical careers. Included is a discussion of both formal and informal educational information.
Careers for Nature Lovers and Other Outdoor Types (1992). By Louise Miller and published by VGM Career Horizons, National Textbook Co. Includes information on careers in the biological sciences, agricultural sciences, land planning, forestry and conservation science, geology, and pollution control and waste management.
Exploring Environmental Careers (1985). By Stanley Jay Shapiro and published by the Rosen Publishing Group. Contains detailed information on scientific and engineering, technical, and skilled craft environmental careers.
