u/DirectorParty3671

Hey everyone! I recently graduated with a B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy, and I'm currently applying for entry-level environmental jobs in Southern California.

I'm mainly applying to positions such as Environmental Field Technician, Environmental Scientist, Environmental Technician, Air Quality Technician, and environmental compliance or consulting roles. I'm open to fieldwork, environmental sampling, monitoring, remediation, and restoration-related work.

I'm trying to make myself a stronger candidate because a lot of entry-level postings mention certifications or training as preferred qualifications. I've looked into HAZWOPER, but dont know if its worth buying or waiting for an employer to pay for it.

For those working in environmental consulting, fieldwork, air quality, remediation, or a related field:

• Which certifications or training courses actually helped you get your first environmental job?
• Is 40-hour HAZWOPER worth paying for before getting hired, or do employers usually provide it?
• Are there other affordable certifications that would help me stand out, such as OSHA 10, confined space training, or other environmental safety courses?
• Are there any certifications that look good on paper but aren't worth spending money on without an employer asking for them?
• If you were a recent graduate starting over, what would you prioritize to become more competitive?

I'm trying to be strategic with my money and focus on qualifications that employers genuinely value, rather than collecting certifications that won't make much difference.

Hellooo Everyone,

I recently graduated from UCI with a B.S. in Environmental Science & Policy, and I'm trying to figure out what kinds of entry-level jobs I should be focusing on. I've attached a pic of my resume (Open to feedback on my resume as well).

https://preview.redd.it/q1wbnqlnbcgh1.png?width=1356&format=png&auto=webp&s=cea64103cd158304a56e13eaa41f1cac5dd28244

Some of my experience includes:

• GIS (ArcGIS Online, StoryMaps, spatial analysis)
• Earth System Science coursework (climate, hydrology, geology, ecology, and environmental processes)
• Environmental policy research
• Environmental justice and transportation equity projects
• Air quality/emissions analysis
• An Ocean Foundation field internship (tidepool monitoring and restoration)
• Data analysis, technical writing, and presentations

I'm interested in environmental work that involves things like conservation, restoration, GIS, water resources, coastal or marine work, environmental consulting, or environmental planning. I enjoy a mix of fieldwork and office work, and I'd like to build toward a career with good long-term salary growth but at the same time I keep so many negative things about this career path on this subreddit 😭

Also a thing I'm struggling with is that I feel like I forgot a lot of what I learned in college, and I feel like im overthinking it but idk, also when I read job descriptions they often make me feel underqualified. Is that normal for recent graduates?

Based on my resume, what job titles would you recommend I target? Are there any skills or certifications you think would make me much more competitive over the next 6–12 months?

I'd really appreciate any advice or resume feedback. Thanks everyone!

Hello, I decided to get back into PokemonGo this week after being absent for years. I originally quit after my ex wrongfully transferred all my legendary and other high Combat Power Pokemon :( So Im just trying to grind again, I dont really have anything good now but I would like to add some friends on here since I have 0 and do some potential trades, Im level 35 and would also love to do raids! I believe thats where good catches are but Idr honestly Im kinda a noob again. Pls ADD ME! :) Trainer code is: 242757673232

Hello everyone,

I recently graduated from UC Irvine with a B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy and I'm starting my job search in Southern California (Los Angeles/Orange County).

I've been applying to Environmental Scientist, Environmental Planner, GIS, and Environmental Consulting positions, but a lot of them seem to want 1–3+ years of experience.

Some of my experience includes:

• 80+ hours of coastal fieldwork with Laguna Ocean Foundation (ecological monitoring, environmental data collection, public outreach)
• GIS StoryMap project analyzing environmental inequality in South Los Angeles using ArcGIS Online, ACS, and CalEnviroScreen
• Air quality project using EPA AirToxScreen, NEI, EPA COBRA, and NOAA Gaussian Plume Model
• Environmental Justice policy research and white paper

For those of you who broke into environmental consulting, planning, GIS, or environmental science after graduating:

• What companies or job titles would you recommend for someone trying to break into the field?
• Are there companies in Southern California that hire recent grads more often?
• Is there anything you'd change about my strategy or resume?

I'd really appreciate any advice from people who've been through this🙏🙏. Thank you!!!

I just graduated from Uni and I'm looking for a reliable daily driver that I can keep for a long time. I live in Los Angeles and plan to do occasional road trips in the future. Fuel economy is important, which is why I'm looking at hybrids.

Current finalists:

2025 Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue

• 4,311 miles
• 1 owner
• No accidents
• Clean CARFAX
• Remaining factory warranty
• Listed at $20,990 before taxes/fees

2025 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

• 15,427 miles
• 1 owner
• No accidents
• Clean CARFAX
• Listed at $24,924 (dealer fees included)

A few things:

• We are financing and don't want to do a very expensive down payment and want to pay like 400-600 a month.
• My parents trust Toyota more than Hyundai because friends keep telling them Hyundai isn't reliable.
• The Hyundai dealer initially added about $3,190 in dealer add-ons, but said they could remove them.
• I plan to keep the car for many years.

Which would you buy and why? Is the Corolla worth paying several thousand dollars more for, or is the Elantra Hybrid the better value?

Hello! I'm new to this subreddit and figured I'd ask for some advice.

I recently graduated from university, and my parents want to help me get my first car. Up until now, I've mainly been driving my older sibling's 2009 Toyota Corolla whenever she didn't need it. I've gotten pretty comfortable with sedans, but I've also driven a Honda CR-V and liked it as well.

I'm looking for something reliable with good fuel economy, preferably a hybrid, since I'd like to keep fuel and ownership costs low. My parents would like to keep the payment around $300/month, and our budget is around $15,000. I know that probably means buying used, but I'd like something that's still relatively modern and well-maintained, not a beat-up car with a ton of miles. I live in the Los Angeles area if that makes a difference.

What cars would you recommend? I'm open to sedans, hatchbacks, or small SUVs. Also, are there any good websites I should be using besides CarGurus and Cars.com?

Thanks in advance! 🙏

Got scammed trying to buy UCI graduation tickets and wanted to see what you all think about my chances of recovering the money. 😔😞

I found someone claiming to be a UCI student selling graduation tickets. They sent me what appeared to be a screenshot of their virtual student ID and said "Here is my pass just to be more comfortable, you can report me to the cops if i mess up😭😭" When I tried paying, they kept giving me different payment recipients.

Payments attempted:

• Zelle: $40
• Zelle: $30
• Zelle: $30
• Apple Cash: $30

After each payment supposedly “failed,” I received text messages claiming the money was refunded and would return in 24–48 hours. The texts came from a phone number that turned out to be disconnected when I called it.

The biggest red flag: I emailed the actual UCI student whose identity was being used, and she replied saying she was not selling tickets and was not the person I had been talking to and she also got scammed and lost $125.

After this I immediately called my bank and filed claims with Bank of America for the three Zelle transfers. The bank told me I have to wait for the Apple Cash payment to fully process before disputing that one.

I have screenshots of:

• Conversations with the scammer
• Payment confirmations
• The fake refund texts
• The email from the real student confirming it wasn’t her

Total amount lost is about $130. Im a broke uni student bruh I dont even got money like that and was just trying to get my family tickets so they can see me graduate😭😢 Its so messed up, I haven't told anyone apart from my gf and I'm scared to tell my parents what happened since I feel like I should've know better, I was just desperate and in a hurry. I feel so stupid for this lmao, I'm 21 and got scammed fr, I'm usually smart about this stuff but let my guard down. Also yes I just created this account to post on here hoping I can get some help or advice.

Has anyone dealt with something similar involving Zelle or Apple Cash impersonation scams? What are my chances of recovering any of the money?

https://preview.redd.it/6h3q1jhql44h1.jpg?width=827&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04e5c7da6490a5eb0628ee6ea8d742eae2d92dd3