How to get into Environmental Science Skills and Interests Successful environmental scientists tend to share some or all of the following characteristics. But don’t worry if you don’t have them all - a combination of a few will do! • Keen interest in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Biology and geography or other earth science subjects. • Good at communicating ideas and theories • Enjoy being methodical and accurate with attention to detail • Like to work with figures and analysing data • An interest in craft, design and technology • Good technical knowledge • Concern for the countryside, wildlife, conservation and the environment • Like practical work being outdoors and involved in nature • Adaptable and flexible • Having an enquiring and logical mind • Enjoy working independently • A reading knowledge of a foreign language, German or Russian would be a boon, as these are countries where a lot of environmental research is done, or needs to be done. Routes into Environmental Science Of course a great place to see how environmental scientists got where they are is on Science Year’s own fabulous Meet Your Match Database in the Next Steps section. If you drop down to Ecology in the scientists by subject search option you can read exactly how the real things got through their career paths. We have also rounded up a quick summery for you below. AT SCHOOL Keep up with your sciences, maths and geography or geology if you are interested in the earth sciences. So long as you maintain an interest in these subjects (and good grades!) you’ll be heading in the right direction – remember you have no need to specialise at school, you can go on to do a whole degree in a single science subject and still have plenty of time to specialise in an aspect of environmental science as a post graduate. Or use your school science grades to do a degree in general environmental science. FURTHER EDUCATION Colleges offer courses leading to the following qualifications: • A’levels • Btec • National Diploma • Access Course • HNC (Higher National Certificate) • HND (Higher National Diploma) • BSc (Batchelor of Science degree) • MSc (Master of Science post graduate qualification) • PhD (Doctor of Philosophy – the highest post graduate qualification in Sciences or Arts subjects) If you are considering undertaking further studies in this area there are at least 1000 courses available in the UK at Degree level. However if you decide to go on to higher education there may be more mileage in doing a combined course to widen scope for yourself later, or in studying a related subject, such as geology, which could lead to training in the environmental aspect of the job, or to a specialist postgraduate course – see below. POSTGRADUATE QUALIFICATIONS Environmental science is often selected as a postgraduate specialism (when you are doing your first degree at university or college you ‘re known as an undergraduate, after you have gained this degree you are a graduate, if you choose to go on to study a subject in even more depth, you become a "postgraduate" student). So some people take a first degree in a traditional subject and then move into environmental work. Getting hands on experience Practical, hands-on experience will broaden your understanding of the field - and it always goes down well with future employers. So if you’re thinking of studying for this area of work, it may be worth looking for a course that offers a placement year so you can get work experience while you’re a student. You could also consider doing some voluntary work in a relevant area before applying for paid work. Here are some possibilities: • environmental laboratories • offices of environmental organisations • education institutions where environmental research is carried out • research centres • off-shore installation • local authority environmental health and noise pollution centres • weather centres • construction sites (learn about the architectural environmental issues in major buildings or private homes.) Arranging any voluntary work has to be done via negotiation with the employer. You may have heard of Raleigh International. They develop young people (including Prince William!) aged 17 – 25 through demanding community and environmental projects in the UK and around the world. They undertake about 11 international expeditions per year and they have voluntary projects throughout the year in the UK. The website for Raleigh International is www.raleigh.org.uk Go back