Environmental Scientists are the watchers of our wilds. Work to help improve humanity's understanding of the environment, how to protect it, and our place in it. Identify, investigate, and eliminate sources of pollution and hazards to protect the environment and public health. Help us understand, and study questions about our natural ecosystems, as well as advise others in the best way to interact with them. If you care about the environment, and enjoy science, be sure to check out this career!
Make a Difference
A Typical Day
- Provide scientific or technical guidance, or oversight to governmental agencies, environmental programs, industry, or the public.
- Review and implement environmental technical standards, guidelines, policies, and formal regulations.
- Collect and analyze data, and write reports environmental data.
- Communicate scientific or technical information.
- Provide advice on proper standards and regulations
- Prepare charts or graphs from data samples on the environmental relevance of the data.
Recommended Credentials
Bachelor's Degree
Education & Training
Regional employers often hire graduates of these programs.
Northwest Lower Michigan
Northwestern Michigan College:
Elsewhere in Michigan
School of Natural Resources and the Environment
— Lake Superior State University
Environmental & Sustainability Studies
— Western Michigan University
Earth, Environmental, & Geographic Sciences
— Northern Michigan University
Explore This Career
Try it before you buy it!
Look into volunteer groups in your area! The Inland Seas Education Association and Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy both offer excellent opportunities for people of all ages.
The Local Advantage Learning Pathway
Pathway 1
Enroll in North Ed Career Tech's Agriscience & Natural Resources program
Join SEEDS EcoCorps and be paid to learn eco skills and pathways to eco careers starting at age 16!
Pathway 2
Consider attending NMC for a 2-year program in Science, Freshwater Studies, or Environmental Science.
Join SEEDS EcoCorps and be paid to learn eco skills and pathways, including some that articulate to NMC programs!
Pathway 3
Transfer to a 4-year school. The following has articulation agreements with NMC:
Sample Employers in Our Region
Click the logos below to learn more.
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TIP
Contact one of these companies and ask for an informational interview, to see if you can job shadow, or to find out if they hire interns.
Sample Job Titles...
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
- Environmental Programs Specialist
- Environmental Protection Specialist
Hear It From The Pros
10-Year Job Growth Projections
Employed Regionally
Wage Range & Median 10-County Region
Annual Hires Regionally
Other Regional Career Resources
Learn more about Environmental Scientists at O*NET Online.