What Is an Entry Level Environmental Science and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Entry-level environmental science jobs include working in biology, geology, chemistry, education, public relations, public policy, or consulting. Your specific duties differ depending on whether you have a research job or a position in analysis or public relations, which typically requires more extensive writing and a broader knowledge of public policy, ecological law, and environmental regulations. In a research position, your responsibilities include handling sample and data collection, performing land surveys, conducting assessments of wildlife habitat and wetlands, testing and analyzing samples, and helping with studies that recommend further research or policy changes. Environmental science researchers may work at an academic or research institution, while other environmental science professionals may work for a non-profit or in private industry or government.

The qualifications to get an entry-level environmental science job include at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject such as biological sciences, geology, chemistry, or statistics. Summer internships and volunteer positions can help you gain valuable field knowledge and improve your job prospects. If you are interested in working on the policy side of environmental science, you should also have demonstrated written communication skills and a good grasp of federal and state laws and regulations. Other essential skills for getting an entry-level environmental science job include excellent critical thinking, technical, and organizational abilities, as well as attention to detail.