Environmental Studies
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA, BS and BGS, as well as a graduate certificate and a PSM in Environmental Studies. The Environmental Studies program provides students with the tools they need to investigate environmental phenomena, including anything from soil sampling and freshwater ecology to policy-making and social science.
Environmental Studies Department website
Sample of Related Skills
- Demonstrate a proficient understanding of the ethical and social dimensions of environmental issues, in a manner consistent with the curriculum of their specific major program
- Obtain and use scholarly information related to environmental issues and sustainability
- Synthesize and integrate material in an interdisciplinary team-structured project
- Understand the natural environment and its relationships with human activities
- Acquire practical skills for scientific problem-solving, including familiarity with laboratory and field instrumentation, computer applications, statistical and modeling techniques
- Design and evaluate strategies, technologies, and methods for sustainable management of environmental systems and for the remediation or restoration of degraded environments
Popular Career Paths
Fishery and Wildlife Management: Includes the management, preservation and restoration of fish and/or wildlife habitats, population regulation, disease management, and public education.
Forestry/Park Management: Involves the preservation and sustainable management of park and forest lands as well as urban areas. It also includes the maintenance of the ecological health of our parks as well as the management of park visitors and the monitoring of their impact.
Education and Communication: Involves helping the public gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the natural resources around them. Can include education in a variety of settings, print or broadcast journalism, and advocacy.
Land and Water Conservation/Management: Includes natural resource assessment and management, habitat protection and restoration, preservation of open spaces and natural areas, and protection of cultural resources.
Law: Involves the interpretation and enforcement of the laws in our legal system to minimize, prevent, punish or remedy the actions of individuals which damage or threaten the environment, public health and safety.
Explore More Career Paths
- Echoing Green - provides a springboard for realizing your contribution to solving the world’s biggest problems
- Green Career Guide - information regarding different green career paths
- Environmental Consulting Career Advice - questions and answers related to careers in environmental consulting
- Green Jobs - career information on green jobs from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- MakingtheDifference.org - online job profiles through the federal government in the field of environmental studies
- Green Degrees & Careers - discover environmentally friendly degrees & career options
Jobs to Consider
Places to Seek Employment
|
Environmental Consulting Firms Environmental Research Laboratories Farms/Ranches Federal Government Agencies Groundwater Firms Land Trusts/Preserves |
Law Firms Mining Companies Utility and Timber Companies Non-Profit Environmental Organizations Real Estate Development Companies Research Firms |
State/Local Government Agencies Tourism Agencies and Resorts Museums Wildlife Refuges Zoological Parks and Aquariums
|
View specific employers by state.
Employment Strategies
- Gain direct experience within the areas that interest you most through research projects, independent study, internships, part-time jobs, student organization involvement, or volunteering.
- Register for HireJayhawks.com and subscribe to the Internship Newsletter to receive automated weekly emails with specific internship information.
- Acquire relevant certifications and trainings, such as wilderness first aid, CPR, wilderness survival, leave no trace, etc.
- Network with professionals working in the field and, if possible, find someone in the field who who would be willing to serve as a professional mentor to you.
- Consider getting involved with a student organization at KU related to your area of interest, such as: Air & Waste Management Association, Eco-Justice, Emerging Green Builders, Environs, From Blue to Green: Conserve KU, KU Student Farm, and Potter Lake Project.
- Consider joining a professional organization related to your area of interest in environmental studies, and, if possible, attend local and/or regional conferences to make connections with professionals working in your field.
- Become familiar with the federal government job application process.
- Earn a minor or take additional coursework outside your major when relevant to your career goals.
- Maintain a strong GPA if you are considering pursuing graduate school.
- Develop your resume and tailor it to your area(s) of interest: sample resume (pdf).
Job and Internship Search Resources
- CoolWorks.com - job and internship opportunities in national parks, conservation organizations, state parks, ranches, and ski resorts
- Conservation Job Board - list of jobs related to the environment and biology
- EarthworksJobs.com - job listings for ecology, hydrology, environmental science, GIS, renewable energy, sustainable development, and related fields (includes international job postings)
- Eco.org - job and internship listings for positions related to the environment
- EcoEmploy.com - job postings, directory of environmental employers by state, and other specialized career resources
- Environmental Career.com - job postings, environmental conference and event listings, and resource center
- Environmental Law and Policy Center - employment and internship opportunities with ELPC as well as a job board of additional job and internship listings
- Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks - employment and volunteer opportunities with KDWP
- KU Environmental Studies Department Careers Page - environmental job and internship postings as well as links to additional career resources
- Idealist.org - job, internship, and volunteer listings in non-profit and government agencies
- Internships-USA - internship listings in The Big Green Internship Book
- Society for Ecological Restoration - career center with job, internship, and volunteer position listings
- Student Conservation Association - hands-on conservation internship and other service opportunities with government agencies as well as non-profit organizations / National Park Service Academy
- Sustainable Careers by Green Gestures - list of "green" jobs and internships; search by position or location
- The Nature Conservancy - employment and internship opportunities with TNC
- The Wildlife Society Career Center - job and internship postings in wildlife and fishery management
- USA Jobs - comprehensive database of all full-time, temporary, and internship opportunities with federal government agencies
The quick link for this page is career.ku.edu/environmentalstudies.
Go back to Careers & KU Majors homepage.
