15 months after graduating
92% of our environmental science graduates are in work or further study
100% of environmental science graduates in highly skilled work said their degree was a formal requirement or gave them an advantage*
Environmental
managers advise organisations on how to minimise their impact on the
environment and, in some cases, oversee the delivery of impact reduction
strategies. They typically develop and then measure the success of the schemes
for waste management, renewable energy, recycling, pollution reduction and
pollution prevention.
Alternative and
closely related job titles include ‘environmental adviser’, ‘energy manager’,
‘sustainability manager’ and 'energy consultant'. In some organisations, the
role will also be combined with health and safety or corporate social
responsibility (CSR) duties.
As well as working
in environmental or geotechnical roles your in-depth knowledge of environmental
sciences and lab and field work equips you for a career in a whole range
environmental sectors including research, consultancy, education, policy,
planning, compliance and enforcement. There are also opportunities available in
the utilities sector with water companies and waste management companies. Many
graduates join the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment that
helps with gaining experience, networking, training, accreditation
and recognition of excellent practice.
Employers of
environmental science graduates include:
- Local authorities
- Environment Agency
(EA)
- Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
- Environmental
monitoring organisations
- Environmental
consultancies
- Charitable trusts,
such as Natural England and English Heritage
You could also
apply the broader skills developed during your degree to many other
opportunities: it is estimated that although graduate employers often specify a
minimum degree classification as part of their shortlisting, approximately 70%
of graduate employers do not specify that you must have studied a particular
subject to work for them. However, graduate employers do highly prize skills
such as strategic planning, resilience under pressure, creative problem-solving
and commercial awareness which are some of the key skills you can develop
during your course. Therefore, you could use your degree to access work in a
multitude of sectors or industries.
Researching your
career options
With such a wide range of careers open to you as
an Environmental Science graduate, it is important to make sure you
explore and research your options thoroughly so that you can make informed
decisions about your future.
Take a look at the Prospects, TargetJobs and the professional associations websites
for inspiration:
Employment Opportunities
Below is a
snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth environmental science
graduates told us they were doing six months after graduation. For some
graduates, these jobs serve as steppingstone to professional posts by providing
relevant workplace experience.
- Researcher
- Scientific Diver/
Coral reef Surveyor
- Science Technician
- Graduate
Environmental Scientist
- Assistant
Geo-Environmental Consultant
- Data Prep Manager
- Graduate Health
Physicist
- Environmental
Support Officer
- Teaching
Laboratory Technician in Chemistry
- Biogas and Water
recovery plant operator
- Field Ecologist
- Ecologist
- Environmental Officer
- Ranger
- Quality Manager
- Husbandry
Technician
- Graduate
Environmental Consultant Environmental Impact
- Hydrographic Data Technician
- Bioresource
Graduate
- Environmental
Supervisor
- Air Quality Consultant
- Environmental
Technician
- Environmental
Field Technician
- Research Assistant
- Marine Mammals
Observer
- Lab technician
- Laboratory
Technician
- GIS Enquiry
Technician
- Environmental
Reporting Officer
- Graduate
Consultant
- Hydrographic Data
Technician
Employers
*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for 24 UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.