r/Environmental_Careers

I’m coming from a government background doing mostly field based work, and I was recently hired onto a consulting firm doing permitting. 

I’m a little overwhelmed with learning all of the norms and expectations, but don’t want to come off as too junior to my peers (I mean, they are aware I’m new to this but I feel embarrassingly lost). Moreover I’d like to come into this role capable of working independently and not require handholding.

If this reaches any consultants, please pm me as I would love to ask some basic questions! Nothing specific, just basic need-to-knows that I wasn’t able to find in online resources.  TIA (:

I'm weighing an offer for a senior level planning and permitting position with one of those big consulting firms. I've actively avoided the consulting industry until now but with the job market being what it is, I don't have many options.

My biggest concern is the hours. I've heard 50/60 hour weeks aren't uncommon, but I have young kids and it's important for me to spend as much time with them as I can while they're still small. I'm also morally opposed to unpaid overtime. If the firm is billing your hours, they should be paying you.

If you work in consulting, can you talk about your experiences? Is there constant pressure from management? Do you work a 40 hour week or do you feel obligated to work more? Do you actually like your job? Is there anything else I should keep in mind while making this decision?

Hello! I have a degree in Environmental Science with a minor in Forestry, as well as a Sustainability Certificate. I am currently working in the EHS sector for a large manufacturing company and have progressed into a Safety Manager role. I originally started as an Environmental co-op, then moved into a corporate role as an Environmental Specialist, and am now in my current position to gain broader experience.

I would like to transition back into an environmental-focused role—my long-term goal is to become an Environmental Compliance Manager. After doing some research, it seems that I need, at a minimum, my REP (Registered Environmental Professional). To be eligible, candidates must hold a graduate degree in an environmentally related field.

My question is: What Environmental Master’s degree should I pursue to build the strongest background and experience for a career in Environmental Compliance? I would greatly appreciate your insights!

Hey everyone!

I’m about to enter my final year of college for my B.S. in Wildlife Biology and Conservation (21F) and I’ve been feeling both excited and honestly a little nervous about what comes next.

This field has been my passion since I was a kid—and not just because I love animals. I genuinely love everything about the outdoors, ecology, and conservation work (even the messy, unglamorous parts). I enjoy lab work, fieldwork, networking—all of it.

I’ve worked really hard to get to this point. I currently have a 3.5 GPA and have put myself through college completely independently, without moral or financial support from my family. It hasn’t been a straight path—I’ve had a lot of pivots and challenges—but I’ve pushed through and built as much experience as I can.

So far I’ve:

• Volunteered 250+ hours across 5 organizations
• Done entomology lab work at a botanical garden
• Worked in outdoor education
• Gained experience with my state conservation agency (naturalist work, herpetological animal care, job shadowing, attended conservation conferences)
• Conducted avian field research with the World Bird Sanctuary for over a year
• Worked at a state park since last October
• Done conservation data entry for a nonprofit
• Participated in stream monitoring (chemical + biological)

I also recently accepted a paid wildlife biologist internship with Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever (and had to choose between that, a community conservation internship, and a biodiversity research internship at WashU).

After graduation, I’m planning to get a GIS certificate to expand my skill set—especially for remote work or environmental consulting—and I’m also Wilderness First Aid certified with years of solo backpacking/outdoor experience.

Even with all of this, I’m still VERY nervous about landing a full-time job after graduation, which wont be until August 2027. I do plan to pursue a master’s eventually (after getting some work experience), and I understand this field isn’t high-paying. I’ve accepted that and planned my life accordingly, and I know I may need to take less-than-ideal jobs at first to build my career.

I’d really appreciate any advice, encouragement, or personal experiences from others in this field.

Also—if I don’t land a job right away after graduating, what kinds of work would you recommend doing in the meantime that would still build relevant experience or look good on a resume?

Thanks so much in advance :)

I have done my bachelors in india from Delhi university and it was a 3 year masters

And almost have one year of experience

I was thinking of doing masters from abroad but my only condition is I want the job in there only, I want to earn in the currency pls can anyone suggest me I am tired of talking people and them saying that it does not have any scope

Hello everyone,

As you know the job market is tough right now. I stumbled upon this internship while scrolling through Instagram (crazy). However, it is a county job that pay $17 an hr and the cap hour is 750. That mean, once I max out the hour, I either be unemployed or maybe get hired (big maybe Yike). Plus the commute is about 40-50 mins going there.

If you are in my position, where currently you are in a development program and you are about to time out of the program in 5 months, would you accept this internship?

Thank you for any input!

I’m a 3rd student doing my BS Environmental Science degree, I can’t seem find why I chose this degree and I don’t have any interest to continue but I have already done 3yrs and I’m not sure if I should change (I always wanted to do medicine but I couldn’t get in and just chose this field randomly thinking it would have good scope in the future). I have always in interested in psychology and I think I would be good at that. The only reason I seem to want to continue in Environmental Science field is maybe I would earn a good amount, then it wouldn’t matter but honestly from all that I have seen I can say that the pay isn’t good and work life balance isn’t pretty as well, and with AI developing so quickly finding entry level jobs in this field will be next to impossible, so will I be making a good choice in quitting in field?

Hi guys, I’m looking for some career advice about re-entering the environmental field after working in a different industry for a while.

I graduated with an ecology degree three years ago and worked a conservation internship right after. The contract ended, and I was hit with unemployment for a while. After a few months of job searching, I ended up getting a job at an insurance company, where I’m still working as an administrator.

I’ve been thinking about going back to an environmental career but I’m wondering if I left the field for too long? I feel like a new grad would have better chances with entry level positions.

I’m mostly interested in environmental compliance. With only an ecology background, I know I’ll have to do some extra learning, but would taking college courses be enough, or is it better to do a grad program?

Appreciate any advice.

Seeking advice because I am experiencing decision paralysis . Apologies in advance this is rambling nothingness. I am 24 about to turn 25 for context. I feel like if I don't start the grad journey soon, I wont want to walk away from a stable job in the future. If I am to take the leap, I reckon it should be now?

I currently have a job in my field and recently received a a 40% promotion. there is some weird uncomfortable and frankly upsetting work politics at my current job. That said, I am paid decently and my bosses have indicated I would be stepping up into more of a coordinating role and mentorship role etc. I can continue helping to build the program.

I also got into a funded grad program 20k stipened, 10k summer job with partner institution, again very much in my field. ( the botanic space).

I have absolutely no idea what to do. I have the option to defer the grad program for a year but am realizing it may not be necessary for me to advance in my career especially if I get another year of experience under my belt. (about 4 years). If I defer thought, in theory, I could save money for a year, and put it away in retirement funds etc.

I applied because 1. I wanted to do research, I wanted to challenge myself, I wanted to be taken seriously, I wanted to get paid better after the fact etc(I was under the impression that I was stuck at my pre-promotion pay sans masters). I wanted at one point to be a research associate affiliated with a university extension or botanic garden. . . I would of course need a PhD for that but I am afraid to commit to the time. I still think this is my dream job. . . but I could also see an alternative universe where I was happy not actually doing research but more science communications or something adjacent. IDFK.

that said... I might as well bite the bullet and maybe just jump into this program but. . . . . idk. IDK really what a masters will do for be to be honest? If I go into the program I will do the most to maximize what I get out of it but oh my gosh.

I love my job currently but don't love the city I live in . . . and I am also really over the work politics and what not. Really over it. My heart hurts most days I go to work.

Accepting would mean moving across the country... which I am nervous about but okay with... I would likely be able to get a job post grad in my home state because I would be working with a botanic institution and they are all pretty well connected. Plus, I have a good network here already. . .

I don't know. Accepting any and all thoughts.

Title! As a current junior, I'm planning on applying to colleges with an environmental engineering/environmental science major, but recently I've become jaded with how (from my perspective, don't mean to offend anyone) this major doesn't help the environment as much as I personally would want to. Thus, I'm considering switching majors in college to something more niche, such as marine biology conservation science, with perhaps a minor in economics. I have this mentor-figure who goes around my country starting conservation activities (habitat zoning for this species, converting locals to eco-tourism, etc), and I was wondering if it's possible for this to be a full time job? Sounds like a dream, traveling to new places, meeting new people, and helping save animals...Of course, I'd likely need to be funded by an NGO of some sort. Thoughts/Advice?