r/environmental_science

I’m in my final year of an environmental science undergrad and I don’t know what I should do next. I’m curious to hear what kind of jobs people got with this degree (or any adjacent ones) and how you got there

I have a bachelors in env sciences with a specialization in policy n economics. I probably want to do a masters in env policy&politics as well.

I was wondering what career paths there are for this?

I’ve been feeling pretty discouraged lately and wanted to hear from people who are actually working in geology, environmental consulting, mining, hydrogeology, GIS, or related fields in Canada.
A bit about me:
BSc in Geology and MSc in Geology from India.
Recently completed graduate certificates in Environmental Project Management and Sustainable Business Management in Toronto.
Did an online certificate on Climate action for GIS
Worked at HRD Diamond Lab as Machine Operator and was offered research assistant position but I came to Canada instead in search of better opportunities.
I’ve studied GIS throughout my bachelor’s, master’s, and graduate certificates, but I don’t have professional GIS experience outside of coursework.
Since moving to Canada, I’ve mostly worked customer service and hospitality jobs (Starbucks, dining supervisor, etc.) to support myself while studying.
I’ve been applying for geology, environmental, sustainability, GIS, and project coordination roles around the GTA with very little success.
What worries me most is that the longer I’m away from geology, the more I feel like I’m becoming less employable. It’s becoming a cycle where employers want experience, but I can’t seem to get that first opportunity.

For those who have successfully entered the industry in Ontario:
How did you get your first geology or GIS?
Are there certifications, software, or projects that employers actually care about?
Has anyone else broken into the field after spending a few years working outside their industry?
I’m located in Toronto and I’m open to relocating elsewhere in Canada if that’s realistically where the opportunities are.
I’m genuinely passionate about geology and environmental work, and I don’t want to give up on the field. I just feel like I’m standing at a crossroads and would really appreciate honest advice from people who’ve been through it.

Hello Reddit! I am Daniel Rath, a soil scientist at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council). My work explores how carbon and nitrogen cycles through soil as well as agriculture’s impacts on soil and soil biodiversity.

We just released a report, The Nitrogen Pollution Crisis, that highlights how pollution from fertilizer overuse exposes millions of Americans to unsafe drinking water, pollutes our rivers and lakes leading to harmful algal blooms that kill or sicken fish and wildlife, and costs the U.S. more than $59 billion annually.

The dirt beneath our feet is more than just “dirt,” it’s alive! It holds some of the most complex living ecosystems on the planet that fuel our agricultural system, filter our water and store carbon, all of which are crucial to life on this planet.

I will be here on June 30th 2026 at 3:00 PM EST (19 UT) to answer your questions about nitrogen pollution, the science behind healthy soil, sustainable farming practices, and anything else on soil!

Username: u/nrdcsoilteam

EDIT: Note slight time change to match with image.

https://preview.redd.it/5md2g8kjddah1.jpg?width=2316&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=96e60ba05ea6459df0a2ebb7fb7b650a0003fe99

I just graduated high school and had my college orientation, talking to the profs to the environmental science department I was a little intimidated. I’m genuinely passionate and interested in geology, natural resources, hydrology and wildlands conservations to name a few topics. My main issue is I wouldn’t consider myself very good at math, I know basic chemistry but I also wouldn’t consider myself good at that at any means. I’ve always done well on the hands on part like labs but I’m just worried I’m getting myself into something I’m not prepared for.

hi! I'm a high school student and my passion has always been about helping the earth and protecting the environment, and my school has nature-related clubs related to camping, hiking, etc, but nothing that focuses on sustainability or helping the environment itself.

I really want to start a club that would target this, but I'm stuck on actual activities I could plan that would be realistic. I was thinking trash cleanups, hiking (which might not work bc of the school already has that), community beautification (planting trees, flowers, etc)

but I don't have many original or impactful deas that would actually get people to join and then stay.

any thoughts? recomendations? ideas?

Hi everyone,

I'm a recent MSc Botany graduate from the University of British Columbia and am actively looking for an entry-level opportunity in environmental consulting in the Lower Mainland.

My background includes: GIS and spatial analysis (QGIS, R, MaxEnt, InVEST), Ecological research and habitat assessment, Technical report writing and environmental data analysis, Understanding of BC environmental legislation through graduate research, Five years of professional experience coordinating market field operations, logistics, and multidisciplinary teams in my previous role

I'm particularly interested in roles such as: Environmental Technician/Field Biologist/ Environmental Scientist (Junior)/Biological Technician/ Environmental Monitor/ Climate/Sustainability scientist.

I'm immediately available to start and am happy to work in the field, office, or a hybrid setting.

If anyone knows of companies hiring, upcoming openings, or has suggestions for firms that are looking for early-career environmental professionals, I would greatly appreciate any leads. Even introductions or advice would mean a lot.

Thank you!

I'm pursuing a BSc in ES and minoring in GIS, along with some volunteering and planning on doing internships, to try and make my degree as marketable as possible after I graduate. It's a pretty blunt question, but is there anything else you guys would recommend to stand out in this job market?

Graduated in 2014, wetland internship plus $80k in debt but i can’t get into this field, more ecological based. I can go get a $100k salary for a clinical role somehow (with my experience). I’m trying to get into environmental now but my experience is 10 years ago and i still can’t get in. I have major pharma experience and i thought this could help me get in, nope.

Should i give up completely? It’s not about money, this is my dream career. Now I’m late 30’s, who would bother to hire me.

https://preview.redd.it/r419d501glah1.png?width=1080&format=png&auto=webp&s=95c9134631f9b9ba1cba85e32c41b6ea8581b058

I am happy to share a recently published paper in PNAS in which I participated as a co-author:

The global diversity and decline of glacier animals

This collaborative work provides a global synthesis of the animal diversity associated with glacier environments. One of its main messages is simple but powerful: glaciers are not empty frozen landscapes. They are living ecosystems that host a unique and still underappreciated fauna.

The study reports at least 152 animal species from glacier environments, across 14 classes and 7 phyla, including 73 species known only from glacial habitats. Among these organisms are rotifers, tardigrades, springtails, nematodes, insects, annelids, and other small invertebrates living in habitats such as cryoconite holes, surface ice, snow/firn, meltwater channels, supraglacial debris, and glacier mice.

For me, it is especially meaningful that this paper helps bring more visibility to small invertebrates, including rotifers, in biodiversity research, conservation, and science communication. These organisms are often overlooked, yet they are part of the biological identity of glacier ecosystems.

The paper also highlights an important conservation concern: as glaciers retreat, many glacier specialists may face severe habitat loss during this century.

I am grateful to the leading authors and all collaborators for the extensive work behind this study, and I am glad to have contributed to this collective effort.
Paper in PNAS: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2514455123
Paper in ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/407109925_The_global_diversity_and_decline_of_glacier_animals

Hello all,

Made a Reddit so I could get some advice. I have been working a crisis hotline for 3 years and have been pursuing my social work degree. I also work with a specialty court as a peer support and lead group therapy in jail. I hate my job. I went for a Bachelors in Social Work thinking I’d like it. Planning on an MSW in the long run. I have 3 semesters left of my BSW. I have been going to college on and off for 14 years. I just need a degree for now. What I wanted to do finally was to pursue a degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences. But then I got a job here and they got my set up for success and a masters level position eventually. I also have a substance abuse prevention certification and a certified drug and alcohol counselor certification. I am a recovering drug addict and alcoholic with Borderline Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Bipolar Disorder. I have had one (nearly two as of late) mental breakdowns and ended up in the hospital for drugs and mental health and spent time in rehab and the psychiatric hospital as a result of this job after 5 years of recovery and stable mental health due to this job. I don’t think I’m cut proper for it. I think I need to complete my Bachelors in Social Work and then transfer to an online masters program not requiring a bachelors in Science such as Virginia Tech’s non-thesis Masters in Natural Resources but I want to as much as I can to have a decent amount of field work in my career and I feel more of a biology degree would be necessary. Anyway advice would be appreciated whether it means being set back 2-3 semesters or any input on a BSW to Masters in Natural Resources or similar degree. I’m quitting my job at the end of July and found another job in the social work field that is less demanding but also work from home. I just want to work in environmental science or similar degree. I don’t want to be a DNR officer. Thank you.

Hey y'all

I'm a 3rd year college student and I have to write a research paper based on

Climate and sustainability Economics

Can y'all help me choose topics please?

Hi, every bit of advice is welcome. I am currently in my last year of UNI at a top 110 Global university in the world. My GPA comes to around 3.00. I am currently doing a BSC of Envirometal science with a concentration. of biotechnology, these are the acknowledgements of our program Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Committee of Heads of Environmental Sciences (CHES) in the UK.

I wanted to know if I should get a master's in my field of environmental science or get it in environmental engineering

Thank you for the help

We’re trying to figure out the best conferences to go to and wanted to see which ones people attend?

Specifically for environmental compliance

Hey, just asking around to see if anyone has tips and tricks for landing entry-level environmental science-related jobs, especially for a South Floridian.

The issue I run into is that while I got an internship for my GIS minor, I've been working a steady job once at Party City before its closing and now at Publix, as both earned me more money while I was studying. I'd heard it's best to acquire seasonal jobs and internships to have the best chance at landing one of these positions, but those were hard to come by during my time at college, and often I needed something more steady to stay afloat.

Now I'm 24, going on 25 this year, and I don't want to get too old before at least getting my foot in the door, and I heard it only gets harder the longer you go without real-world experience.