Welcome to the Environmental Science & Geoscience Career Community!
Explore career paths, gain industry insights, and discover opportunities that align with your passion for the environment & our earth!
Start Here: What Can I Do With My Degree?
With an environmental science degree, you can pursue careers in environmental consulting, wildlife biology, conservation, and corporate sustainability. Your day-to-day could involve fieldwork collecting air and water samples, analyzing data in labs, or office roles involving policy, geographic information systems (GIS), and regulatory compliance.
A geoscience degree opens doors to diverse careers in environmental consulting, geotechnical engineering, natural resources, and government regulation. Graduates use skills like data analysis, field sampling, and spatial mapping (GIS) in industries tackling climate change, resource management, and infrastructure development.
Where Will Your Environmental Science Degree Take You?
The top three career areas for environmental science majors are Environmental Consulting, Corporate Sustainability, and Government & Conservation. These fields allow you to apply the multidisciplinary background of an environmental science degree to solve pressing ecological, regulatory, and business challenges.
Check out the common job titles & specific industries areas to get started!
Environmental Consulting & Data Careers
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Remediation Specialist
Geospatial (GIS) Analyst
NEPA/Impact Assessment Specialist
Remote Sensing Tech/Analyst
Private Sector Industries To Explore
Environmental Consulting Firms (ex. AECOM)
Renewable Energy Companies (ex. NextERA Energy)
Engineering & Design Firms (ex. TetraTech)
Corporate Sustainability Careers
Sustainability Analyst
ESG Analyst
Supply Chain Sustainability Specialist
Sustainability Specialist
Non-Profit Industries to Explore
Conservation & Advocacy Organizations (ex. Sierra Club)
Educational Outreach Centers (ex. The Nature Foundation)
Community Resilience Organizations (Ex. Climate Resilience Fellows)
Government & Conservation Careers
Environmental Protection Specialist
Conservation Scientist
Water Resource Specialist
Jr. Hydrologist
Floodplain/Stormwater Tech
Environmental Policy Analyst
State & Local Government Industries to Explore
Local or State Planning Management Departments
Local or State Public Health Departments
Local or State Resource Management (ex. State Departments of Natural Resources DNRS)
Where Will Your Geoscience Degree Take You?
The top three career areas for geoscience majors are Energy & Natural Resources, Geotechnical Mapping & Environmental Consulting, and Government Research & Public Policy. These sectors rely heavily on understanding Earth systems to extract critical materials, safely design infrastructure, and manage natural resources.
Check out the common job titles & specific industries areas to get started!
Energy & Natural Resources Careers Careers
Jr. Exploration Geologist
GIS Technician
Geospatial (GIS) Analyst
Geophysical Sensing Specialist
Remote Sensing Tech/Analyst
Private Sector Industries To Explore
Environmental Consulting Firms (ex. AECOM)
Renewable Energy Companies (ex. NextERA Energy)
Engineering & Design Firms (ex. TetraTech)
Geotechnical Mapping & Environmental Consulting Careers
Staff Geologist/Environmental Consultant
Geotechnical Engineering Tech
Jr. Geospatial Analyst
Hydrogeologic Technician
Non-Profit Industries to Explore
Conservation & Advocacy Organizations (ex. Sierra Club)
Educational Outreach Centers (ex. The Nature Foundation)
Community Resilience Organizations (Ex. Climate Resilience Fellows)
Government Research & Public Policy Careers
Geographer/Cartographic Tech
Natural Hazard Mapping Specialist
Conservation GIS Analyst
Jr. Environmental Planner
Floodplain/Stormwater Tech
Environmental Policy Analyst
State & Local Government Industries to Explore
Local or State Planning Management Departments
Local or State Public Health Departments
Local or State Resource Management (ex. State Departments of Natural Resources DNRS)
Digging In: Finding Ways To Gain Experience Through Volunteer Projects
Discover & explore hands-on volunteer projects and opportunities that prepare you for careers in geoscience!
Federal Agencies: The USGS, Volunteer.gov, and The National Park Service offer numerous volunteer opportunities, including Citizen Science programs and partnerships. The USGS’s National Map Corps is a great place to start, as it allows you to contribute from anywhere with an internet connection.
Citizen Science Programs: Engage in citizen science projects by helping with data collection, monitoring, or outreach related to geological studies.
Local Organizations: Reach out to local geological societies, museums, universities, and non-profit organizations in your area for volunteer opportunities. You can also search online for community projects focused on earth sciences.
Geological Society of America (GSA): GSA provides various volunteer opportunities, including service on committees and councils.
Museums: Museums often have volunteer programs for fossil preparation or other geological exhibits.
Universities: Many universities have geology departments that offer volunteer or internship opportunities for students and those interested in the field.
National Parks: The NPS’s Volunteers-In-Parks program offers opportunities to help protect and preserve parks, which may include geological sites.
Volunteer Platforms: Use platforms like VolunteerMatch to find specific volunteer positions.
To volunteer as a new environmental scientist to gain hands on experience for future job or internship openings, consider joining citizen science programs, participating in cleanups or reforestation efforts, or volunteering with organizations focused on environmental advocacy or research. Also, consider local opportunities like volunteering at a park, wildlife refuge, or farm, or with advocacy groups:
Citizen Science Programs: Engage in research projects by collecting data, analyzing samples, or assisting with monitoring efforts
Environmental Advocacy Groups: Support organizations like Sierra Club or Earthwatch to work on campaigns and advocacy.
Local Parks and Refuges: Help with trail maintenance, habitat restoration, or educational initiatives at local parks or wildlife refuges.
Research Opportunities: Contact universities with environmental science departments or research labs to seek volunteer positions.
Reforestation and Conservation Projects: Participate in planting trees, restoring wetlands, or other conservation efforts.
Cleanups and Public Lands Protection: Volunteer with organizations like TreePeople or participate in beach cleanups to help protect public spaces.
National Organizations: Consider volunteering with organizations like Earth.Org, Earthwatch, or Greenpeace.
Government Agencies: Explore volunteer opportunities with agencies like NOAA, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, or the National Park Service.
Marine Conservation: Volunteer with marine conservation organizations to study and protect marine ecosystems.
Specialized Programs: Look into programs like the Scientists in Parks program or other specialized volunteer opportunities.
Additional Career Tools Just For You
Discover ArcGIS at SNHU with Esri
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) allow researchers, students, and professionals to visualize and analyze spatial data — helping us understand relationships, patterns, and trends across the globe.
SNHU provides free access to Esri’s ArcGIS platform under our institutional license!
What Can I Do With This Major? features 100 major profiles with information on common jobs and career paths, types of employers that hire in the field, and strategies to maximize opportunities. Scroll to the bottom of each profile for links to professional associations, occupational outlook information, and job search resources.
