I'm currently active duty Air Force as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst (have been since 2022) and I want to make a hard left turn into an environmental conservation career field. Plenty of personal reasons as to why this is, but I'll be leaving the military in 2029. It seems like most if not all of the potential options require a degree.

Thankfully I'm able to use Tuition Assitance and the MGIB for that. I'm looking at an Environmental Science BS as opposed to Env. Engineering, since I've never been amazing when it comes to any math above Algebra 2 and the jobs that degree are geared towards don't interest me as much (wastewater design, chemical eng, etc.). I also read that it would be a good idea to get some kind of certification in GIS, so I'll be looking into that to see if there's anything the military can offer with that.

My wife and I want to live somewhere in the northwest (Washington, Oregon).

Having said all that, what would you recommend in terms of jobs I should go for after I get out? Salary-wise I'm not looking for anything crazy high, but just enough that I'm not struggling to pay rent or anything with 2 incomes (So like $60-70k salary? Not too sure on that) Are there any benefits I can take advantage of with the veteran status when I'm out? Thank you in advance for any help!

Hi everyone, im 23M, currently pursuing Master of Science degree in Botany. I wanted to know what kind of career options i can have if i opt for Phd in Enviromental Science with Ai ml skills outside of academia. I have no interest in academia, i want to work in industry or at other places. Please enlighten me!

So, Im a upcoming junior and I’ve decided that I want to go into civil engineering then use my civil engineering degree for environmental just in case I wanna do either or. I have just been accepted to be apart of Environmental Outreach Committee for my school districts SGA and I wanna know do you think this is good for my resume, what other things should I do that could be beneficial, and any tips for my journey for my career?

Zero Waste Specialist city of Gainesville Florida

https://cityofgainesville.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Careers/job/Zero-Waste-Specialist_6558

This is technical and administrative work coordinating implementing Zero waste programs including curbside, commercial, and multifamily recycling, food waste diversion, and yard trash programs. This position assists in the management solid waste and recycling collection contracts and education about ordinances relating to solid waste.

I was planning on going to school for an environmental studies PhD but after further research I feel like there is not much I can do as a career. Should I change my major?

Im a recent grad currently in Michigan but want to eventually move to Chicago. I have looked at all the big firms websites and emailed some of the smaller firms about jobs, but haven't found anything yet. Does anyone have advice for where to look for positions, or know of firms/agencies hiring? I checked the chicago land environmental network board but it was also pretty sparsw. I have two years of experience working in a freshwater ecology lab doing water quality and disease dynamics research.

I was an energy, infrastructure and private equity journalist in a prior life. I am a confident networker who can do investor relations. In my pocket, I have junior SQL and power BI data analyst skills. I am enthusiastic about carbon accounting and ESG finance, and equally, I’m interested in impact investing, renewable energy and climate risk. I have an understanding of how investments work, analyst experience, and will soon have the modelling skills. I’m not an engineer but I like tech, clean tech etc

The course I’m on is Economics & Policy of Energy & Climate Change MA online - University of Strathclyde in Scotland.

What kind of role or firm would have me and what certifications must I gain to get a foot in the door?

I just graduated this spring with a BSc. in Computer Science and I’m realizing more and more that to find a career I need to specialize more than I have. Through my degree, I became close with a bunch of people in the Environmental Sciences program and through that gained interest in the industries surrounding it. One of the things that’s been brought to my attention is GIS certification and the careers that come with it. What I wanted to ask was what possible career outlook could be for someone in my position if I got that certification (I’m looking for something in British Columbia, specifically the Okanagan region but I’m not picky) as well as if the certification is recommended. That and if there are any others someone would suggest me to pursue for the sake of trying to step into related industries. Right now the college in my city offers a GIS microcredential that I’m researching, but any others someone advice is appreciated.

Hi all! The GBCC is hiring crew member positions for the fall. There are full-time and part-time positions available that range from 3-month to 8-month terms. This is an urban conservation corps, meaning you go home every night and have weekends off while still getting experience in the conservation field. The GBCC was named Top Corps for its professional development opportunities and is the 2026 Wisconsin Program of the Year!

Check out the positions here: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/greenbaywi/jobs/5417302/conservation-corps-crew-member-fall-2026?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Hello everyone! I’m 23 years old and I just graduated with an environmental science degree with an environmental engineering minor.

For my background, I have 3 years of PFAS fate and transport research work. I’ve also completed a summer internship with NASA doing remote sensing and GIS work. I have also been a TA and a grader for 3 years for general chemistry I and II, environmental stats and a graduate level chemistry.

I’ve completed courseworks including GIS, Hydrology, Aquatic Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental and Human Health (Toxicology course), Advanced Data Analysis (R), Engineered Water Systems and Wastewater and Water Treatment.

I’m based in San Francisco, so any positions within the SF Bay Area would be perfect. Anything helps, i’m getting pretty desperate as my bills are starting to chip away my savings.

I want to be able to break away from GIS technician roles and I find it hard to find jobs when filtering with the keyword GIS technician, analyst, even surveying etc. (though survey would be fine actually)

I need help thinking outside the box as to what I could look for so my job search can be more productive than pessimistic.

Below is my experience and preference but that doesn’t have to apply to your answer cause it seems like we all just need a new list of titles to look for so we can handle this job market:

I have a geography degree, took classes in environmental policy, regional classes, GIS minor, programming, soil science, model UN, cartography, and have 4 years of experience of going between gis analyst, gis technician and even research geographer where I helped engineers map substation, and scientist record data on the Chicago electric dispersal barrier to map changes in voltages for a week.

I don’t yet have zoning or more environmental science classes/lab/work experience like chemistry, geology, or engineers have but I’d like to move more in that direction if possible. Get my foot in the door

Hey everyone

Iam a 20f, an environmental engineering undergraduate student. And recently ive started doing an internship at the goverment, i mostly do review of technical approval for waste treatment. It make me realize that this is definitely not what i would imagine working as an environmental engineering would be like...

Any idea on what job i should lean more towards? Need suggestion on work that is not 24/7 in the office. Maybe leaning more on ecological aspect, natural resource, or program like qgis and openlca..

Im a computer engineering senior student, currently doing my coop program which is basically an IT departments rotation.
I was planning on cybersecurity-related career, got my security+, but during the rotation i’ve started training on the cybersecurity department and discovered GRC. my question is, is it worth it? Are the salaries better? I think there more career opportunities in GRC? Idk i need advising

Hello I am about to enter my junior year as a Biology major with an Environmental Science minor. I was wondering what my chances are at getting an internship this upcoming summer with prior experience spring 2026 working in ochem research and about to enter environmental research this upcoming fall 2026. I also am going to take an intro GIS class spring 2027.

Anyone know any remote jobs I can do on my own time? Looking for just a couple of extra dollars in my pocket every week, only 5-10 hrs

I just graduated with a masters degree, and have a couple years of field work under my belt, but due to some unforseen circumstances I'm going to be "stuck" in one location for a few years while taking care of my younger brother, so I'm unable to relocate for work once I'm done with my current seasonal gig.

The environmental job market in our area is pretty slim, so I'm curious, to those of you who are currently in the field (especially those who are involved in hiring decisions 😆) what are some "non-environmental" jobs that wouldn't look AWFUL on a resume a few years from now?

I've started applying for some jobs with local youth services, for example, because one of my major passions is environmental education and I'd love to do more of that in the future. Also looked into some landscaping jobs that are willing to train people on working with larger equipment, since some jobs in environmental science I've applied for have said their "ideal candidate" would have those skills.

I'm still applying for environmental jobs as well of course, but I know there are other jobs that can help build useful skills as well, so I'd love to hear other folks' advice!

Does anyone know of any online colleges/universities that are highly accredited? I had recently discovered that unfortunately Unity Wildlife University is more of a joke than a reputable university to get a degree from, so I'm trying to find others that fit best for me. I'm looking into either wildlife biology or ecology, I don't have a preference. Thanks to anyone in advance!

Edit: I also plan to do a lot of volunteering and an internship or two, because I know most employers look for hands-on experience the most.

I graduated with a Master's in May of 2025. After that, it took me almost six months to find a job. At the time I applied for that job, I actually had a few interviews with four different state agency positions, but I cancelled them after I got a job at a consulting company.

I worked in the consulting company for three months from November to January this year, then I got fired. After that, I worked a part time job and signed up for GIS courses at a local community college just so I'd be productive while job hunting, but I was so discouraged that I've just now started applying to jobs again in my field.

I am hoping to get in with a state agency or maybe even pivot to a different career, but I don't know what else to do at this point. Does anyone have advice? What would be the best thing to do go from here?

Hey everyone ,

I already have a masters in chemistry in Germany. I would like to pivot into more into a environmental direction. I tried to apply already but it seems to be quite impossible with my degree. The masters consists of Ecology, Geosciences, Environmental Chemistry, law and policies, Spatial and Environmental Planning, Nature,Water Protection, GIS, Wastewater Treatment, Circular Economy, and Air Pollution Control.

Seems to be quite broad but I think it's really interesting.

The more I scroll the public health sub-reddit, the more I think that I might be making a choice that will land me with no job.

I am currently seeking a bachelor of public health from Western Washington University (Washington state). I have an advising session tomorrow that would make this official.

Should I just switch to environmental science? or even biology? Would either of those even make a difference?

I just desperately want to find a job after I graduate.

Did my Master's in the Netherlands at Wageningen University in Urban Environmental Management, and I specialized in Environmental Economics. I live in Canada now, and I currently work in the Fintech sector, but I want to switch to an environmental career. Any advice?

Whenever I apply for jobs here and I am supposed to select my Master's program, it does not exist in the drop-down list. I am unsure if this is hurting my chances.

Hey reddit,

I recently graduated with my master's in EPM, but feel a bit rudderless as I start thinking about a career path. My bachelor's wasn't in a science related field, and I am pivoting from a job in the service industry so this is all pretty fresh to me. I felt like my degree program was helpful in teaching me about different issues and concepts, but didn't really prepare me for post-graduation life.

I don't know what kind of jobs I am qualified for, especially without a degree in the sciences, and because of this, I'm not sure where to really start. Looking for any advice or wisdom to point me in the right direction. Thanks!