Amid rising concerns about global warming and sustainability, environmental scientists are modern-day heroes--and thanks to our poor stewardship of the planet, they can look forward to a 25 percent increase in employment through 2016. Increased government funding and broader environmental regulations are fueling unprecedented demand for environmental scientists. Hydrologists are in particular demand, to remediate contaminated ground water and implement flood control measures.

 

 

 

Career Training in Environmental Science

A bachelor's degree in earth science offers sufficient preparation for many entry-level positions. But employers increasingly seek applicants with a master's degree in environmental science, hydrology, or a related discipline. Bachelor's degree programs cover data analysis and physical geography, with a focus on pollution control and water resources or ecosystem protection. Master's degrees permit greater specialization in areas such as hydrology, hazardous waste management, environmental legislation, chemistry, fluid mechanics, and geologic data collection.