Transcript Document

Market Growth
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According to experts in this professional market, there is reason for optimism based
on a combination of factors--mostly a heightened public concern about environmental
threats along with stepped-up vigilance by environment-monitoring governmental
agencies.
Robert Baillod, professor and head of the department of civil and environmental
engineering at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, says that while
environmental jobs have suffered from a slow economy, the environmental engineers
his department trains continue to have an easier time finding positions than do most
other engineers and scientists.
"A couple of years ago, 100 percent of our graduates found jobs immediately, while
other disciplines may have had 90 percent success at best," Baillod says. "Today, we
still have 70 to 80 percent placed right away, while most other disciplines seem to
have dropped to around 60 to 70 percent. There's a pretty big demand for those with
environmental training."
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvoJScTG
Research
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The demand is a byproduct of the unusual diversity of job opportunities outside of
academia for researchers with environmental training, scientists say. Federal and
state research and regulatory agencies, such as state fish and wildlife agencies, the
Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration, and the Department of Defense, all employ environmental
researchers, as do environmental consulting firms and fuel, chemical, and other
manufacturing companies. A host of other organizations, including nonprofit
environmental groups and international bodies, such as the World Bank, also hire
these scientists.
But many observers caution that though the market for environmental researchers
will probably stay healthier than most, it, too, is subject to economic and political
constraints, which may cause companies and government agencies to redirect the
research focus of current staff rather than taking on new hires. These observers also
point out that the diversity of employers means a diversity of job requirements, which
young scientists would do well to consider before they leap into the field.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvoPtH3F
New types of
research
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Investigators from a variety of disciplines have long pursued environmental topics,
such as the physics and chemistry of atmosphere and oceans, the biology of rare
plant and animal species, and technologies for cleaning up radioactive and chemical
wastes. And while the number of scientists pursuing such research is impossible to
determine precisely, it clearly is in the many thousands, with environmental
researchers making up all or part of the membership of many scientific societies.
Among those are the 6,000-plus-member Ecological Society of America, the 3,000member Society for Conservation Biology, a large portion of the 12,000-member Soil
and Water Conservation Society of America, up to a quarter of the 12,000-member
American Meteorological Society, and varying fractions of many other chemical,
physical, biological, engineering, and even medical science organizations.
Over the past two decades, expanding knowledge in all areas of environmental
research and the advent of computer modeling to study environment systems have
fostered heightened awareness of the interconnections among the atmosphere,
oceans, and biosphere. Researchers have learned that even an engineer focused on
cleaning up a particular chemical at a specific waste site needs an understanding of
the large-scale air, soil, water, plant, and animal systems in the area.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvoUY5mR
Growing Need
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This growing recognition of the need for interdisciplinary work in environmental
research plus mounting public interest in questions of species extinction; air, soil, and
water pollution; and global climate changes are causing a highly diverse group of
researchers to enter environmental science.
"It's a new field that's now moving from a hodgepodge to a very professional and
unique training," says Orie Loucks, a researcher in applied ecosystems studies at
Miami University in Ohio. "Environmental science isn't so much a single research
discipline as an approach to knowledge."
Central to that approach, say Loucks and others, is "a ravenous appetite for
synthesizing knowledge from your own and related disciplines."
But most of the employment possibilities lie outside academia, scientists say. "A large
number of students have an image of being professors at research universities," says
Ronald Pulliam, professor and director of the University of Georgia's Institute of
Ecology in Athens. Pulliam says these expectations are not realistic for most, since
university staffs are not expanding.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvoYLS4e
Private Employment
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However, Pulliam says, "the field does have a large number of jobs for those who
have broad interests in more applied science areas and have done solid work."
According to Pulliam, most of those jobs are in federal and state agencies,
international agencies, and private environmental organizations, with a modest but
escalating number in environmental consulting companies.
Chemical, fuel, and manufacturing corporations also employ environmental scientists
and engineers to develop technologies to treat wastes and emissions and,
increasingly, to create new products and production processes that are
environmentally safe during manufacture and use.
But while interest in environmental research is intensifying throughout these
industries, observers of the field say that focus is unlikely to translate into a great
number of industry environmental research jobs in the near future. Many industry
officials say their R&D divisions will grow slowly or not at all in the near future, but
John Carberry, director of research and development for Wilmington, Del.-based E.I.
Du Pont de Nemours & Co., points out that some aspects of corporate restructuring
may provide new opportunities for environmental scientists outside corporate labs.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvoceacX
Consultants
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Companies do need to do more environmental research, industry officials say, and
many companies are redirecting some of their traditional environmental tasks, such
as waste treatment and cleanup, to environmental consulting and engineering firms.
That move, says Carberry, is designed to free up internal scientists to concentrate on
the environmental aspects of product development and process improvement.
University scientists across the U.S. report that environmental science and
engineering consulting firms are hiring more of their Ph.D. graduates. Consulting
companies are providing "a continuing rapid expansion in opportunities" for those with
environmental training, says Miami University's Loucks. And, to the surprise of some,
Loucks says, consulting firm jobs often provide scientists with excellent opportunities
to build their research reputations.
"These people have to publish three or four [peer-review-quality] papers a year,"
Loucks says. Companies that hire environmental consultants are usually seeking to
change or clarify a government regulation that covers a broad question and for which
scant or no previous data exist, Loucks explains.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvohsqeY
Growth
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"Getting something reviewed [by a regulatory agency] is a function of the credibility of
research the consultant can bring to bear. So highly specialized consulting companies
are recruiting the best young environmental researchers," Loucks says.
Not only consulting firms but also many private environmental organizations such as
the World Wildlife Fund in Washington, D.C., and the Arlington, Va.-based Nature
Conservancy are expanding their research staffs, scientists say.
Such groups are looking for scientists "with real-world problem- solving skills, field
experience, communication skills, leadership, and cross-disciplinary interests," says
Susan Jacobson, director of the conservation education and resource management
program at the University of Florida in Gainesville, who polled environmental
organizations on their hiring needs on behalf of a university consortium developing
environmental programs.
The Nature Conservancy's director of biological management, Robert Unnasch, says
his organization is "definitely still in a growth phase. We do expect to bring in new
Ph.D.-level staff."
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvonKhun
Perfect Match
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The Nature Conservancy is an environmental organization whose objective is to
locate key areas of land where plant and animal species need protection, acquire that
land, and then protect and maintain it.
Unnasch points out that his team of researchers pursues the basic work of managing
the conservancy's lands. But his interest extends to potential hires with practical
problem-solving interests, field experience, and detailed knowledge of one traditional
scientific field along with an interdisciplinary approach, similar to that of other
environmental organizations.
"We receive applications from people who got their Ph.D.'s in problem-based
research. But when we ask them, `What do you know about plants, about insects?'
the answer is often, `Nothing,'" Unnasch says. "Their training is in identifying
interesting research questions, and that's inappropriate for us. We're on our hands
and knees getting our fingernails dirty. We have insect questions, not general forest
questions like `What are the fractal dimensions of forest fragments?'"
Government Agencies
Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1PvotQp7h
Public Sector Growth
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Federal and state governments as well as international organizations have employed
environmental researchers in increasing numbers over the past two decades. And
university environmental science departments report that state environmental
agencies are currently stepping up recruitment on their campuses. Many federal
officials say that interest in environmental questions is on the rise in their agencies,
though current budget concerns and the uncertainties of life under a new presidential
administration make them reluctant to predict how many researchers the government
will hire over the next few years.
A spokesman for the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, D.C., for
example, says that environmental questions are "a significant and increasingly
important component" of that organization's research and cites examples such as
studying the physics and chemistry of droplets to minimize environmental damage
from fuel spills and developing remote sensors to detect changes in the ozone layer.
He adds that it's likely that "significant opportunities for new environmental
researchers will continue to arise" at NRL.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1Pvoy7rPY
Increasing Research
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Robert Van Hooks, director of the environmental sciences division at the Department
of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Oak Ridge, Tenn., says research
agendas currently being put forward at his and other government laboratories "could
definitely translate into new opportunities for ecologists and others with environmental
training."
In particular, van Hooks sees bright prospects for researchers in environmental risk
assessment and for environmental engineers, of whom he says "there are simply not
enough coming out of schools."
But, says van Hooks, the government job market for environmental researchers is
unpredictable at present since "like every other program in this economy, ours have
to stand in line for funding and hope to be seen as a priority."
Environmental researchers say their field will continue to grow in prominence and
significance. But there's disagreement about the extent to which that growth will
translate into jobs overall.
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other
Disciplines - The Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1Pvp4yZIt
Education
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To some, like Garry Brewer, dean of the school of natural resources and environment at the
University of Michigan, an influx of new jobs and money into environmental research seems
imminent. Brewer, whose school is forming research and educational partnerships with the
university's business and engineering schools, says corporations are now showing a real
commitment to putting money and action into environmental questions. There's "a new
understanding that these questions are important and they aren't going to go away," Brewer says.
But others worry that government and industry concern with getting answers to environmental
questions may not be strong enough to withstand budget pressures and the stubbornness of
researchers who want to protect their established turf. "It's not that government and business
aren't interested. But a lot of businesses have a wait-and-see attitude because there's been erratic
enforcement [of environmental regulations]," says Carl White, senior research associate in biology
at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. "And while the national labs are picking up the
words `environment,' `ecology'... it seems to me they're mostly restructuring with regard to [job]
titles. In the end, you may find out that people are less concerned with real change than with their
own employability." Marcia Clemmitt is a freelance science writer based in Washington, D.C.
Return to top
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Read more: Environmental Science Job Prospects Healthier Than In Other Disciplines - The
Scientist - Magazine of the Life Sciences http://www.thescientist.com/article/display/16051/#ixzz1Pvp97c9x
Engineering
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Environmental engineering is the application of science and engineering principles to improve
the natural environment (air, water, and/or land resources), to provide healthy water, air, and land
for human habitation(house or home) and for other organisms, and to remediate polluted sites. It
involves waste water management and air pollution control, recycling, waste disposal, radiation
protection, industrial hygiene, environmental sustainability, and public health issues as well as a
knowledge of environmental engineering law. It also includes studies on the environmental impact
of proposed construction projects.
Environmental engineers conduct hazardous-waste management studies to evaluate the
significance of such hazards, advise on treatment and containment, and develop regulations to
prevent mishaps. Environmental engineers also design municipal water supply and industrial
wastewater treatment systems[1][2] as well as address local and worldwide environmental issues
such as the effects of acid rain, global warming, ozone depletion, water pollution and air pollution
from automobile exhausts and industrial sources.[3][4][5][6] At many universities, Environmental
Engineering programs follow either the Department of Civil Engineering or The Department of
Chemical Engineering at Engineering faculties. Environmental "civil" engineers focus on
hydrology, water resources management, bioremediation, and water treatment plant design.
Environmental "chemical" engineers, on the other hand, focus on environmental chemistry,
advanced air and water treatment technologies and separation processes.
Additionally, engineers are more frequently obtaining specialized training in law (J.D.) and are
utilizing their technical expertise in the practices of Environmental engineering law.[citation
needed]. About four percent of environmental engineers go on to obtain Board Certification in their
specialty area(s) of environmental engineering (Board Certified Environmental Engineer or BCEE)
{http://www.aaee.net].
Most jurisdictions also impose licensing and registration requirements.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_engineering
Biologists
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Biological scientists who work in applied research or product development use knowledge gained by basic
research to develop new drugs, treatments, and medical diagnostic tests; increase crop yields; and develop new
biofuels. They usually have less freedom than basic researchers do to choose the emphasis of their research, and
they spend more time working on marketable treatments to meet the business goals of their employers. Biological
scientists doing applied research and product development in private industry may be required to describe their
research plans or results to nonscientists who are in a position to veto or approve their ideas. These scientists
must consider the business effects of their work. Scientists often work in team and interacting with engineers.
Scientists usually conduct research in laboratories using a wide variety of other equipment. Some conduct
experiments involving animals or plants. This is particularly true of botanists, physiologists, and zoologists. Some
biological research also takes place outside the laboratory. For example, a botanist might do field research in
tropical rain forests to see which plants grow there, or an ecologist might study how a forest area recovers after a
fire. Some marine biologists also work outdoors, often on research vessels from which they study fish, plankton, or
other marine organisms.
Swift advances in knowledge of genetics and organic molecules spurred growth in the field of biotechnology,
transforming the industries in which biological scientists work. Biological scientists can now manipulate the genetic
material of animals and plants, attempting to make organisms more productive or resistant to disease. Basic and
applied research on biotechnological processes, such as recombining DNA, has led to the production of important
substances, including human insulin and growth hormone. Many other substances not previously available in large
quantities are now produced by biotechnological means. Some of these substances are useful in treating
diseases.
Those working on various genome (chromosomes with their associated genes) projects isolate genes and
determine their function. This work continues to lead to the discovery of genes associated with specific diseases
and inherited health risks, such as sickle cell anemia. Advances in biotechnology have created research
opportunities in almost all areas of biology, with commercial applications in areas such as medicine, agriculture,
and environmental remediation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biologist
Environmental Law
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Environmental law is a complex and interlocking body of treaties, conventions,
statutes, regulations, and common law that operates to regulate the interaction of
humanity and the natural environment, toward the purpose of reducing the impacts of
human activity. The topic may be divided into two major subjects: (1) pollution control
and remediation,(2) resource conservation and management. Laws dealing with
pollution are often media-limited - i.e., pertain only to a single environmental medium,
such as air, water (whether surface water, groundwater or oceans), soil, etc. - and
control both emissions of pollutants into the medium, as well as liability for exceeding
permitted emissions and responsibility for cleanup. Laws regarding resource
conservation and management generally focus on a single resource - e.g., natural
resources such as forests, mineral deposits or animal species, or more intangible
resources such as especially scenic areas or sites of high archeological value - and
provide guidelines for and limitations on the conservation, disturbance and use of
those resources. These areas are not mutually exclusive - for example, laws
governing water pollution in lakes and rivers may also conserve the recreational value
of such water bodies. Furthermore, many laws that are not exclusively
"environmental" nonetheless include significant environmental components and
integrate environmental policy decisions. Municipal, state and national laws regarding
development, land use and infrastructure are examples.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_law
Ecologists
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actions that affect it, including rainfall, pollution, temperature shifts,
and industrialization. The vision of an ecologist as a bearded,
outdoorsy, mountain-man standing on a pile of litter is based on
about 1 out of 100 of all ecologists. “We’re not all Grizzly Adams!”
wrote one ecological scientist, and she is right; the most accurate
picture of an ecologist would be in a lab coat or poring through
volumes of collected data. Some ecologists work for not-for-profit
environmental groups; others work for large corporations or the
government. Ecologists work with scientific and mathematical
models to analyze and interpret correlations between actions and
effects on the environment, which translates into significant time
looking at data. “You’ve got be able to find the assumptions which
underlie every study or you’re history,” mentioned one ecologist.
• http://www.princetonreview.com/Careers.aspx?cid=55
Wrapping It Up
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Market Growth
Research
New Types of Research
Growing Need
Private Employment
Consultants
Growth
Perfect Match
Public Sector Growth
Increasing Research
Education
Engineering
Biologists
Environmental Law
Ecologists