Career in Environmental Science

Our modern world is realizing a growing need for preserving our environment. It is extremely sad to see the deterioration state of Earth, which is why we require professionals to help in addressing this issue. There are multiple careers of environmental science to help in spreading the awareness, research, report, plan and manage environmental concerns.

Occupations in Environmental Science

Occupation – Environmental Scientist

 Introduction:

In the mid-1800’s in the United States, a focus on the environment and its preservation was beginning to emerge. This further helps in the development of new field in science and was called ‘Ecology’ by scientist Ernst Haeckel.

Brief history of occupation – In the 1960’s and 1970’s concerns related to degradation and negative impacts on the environment started growing. Two important books: Man and Nature by George Perkins Marsh and Silent Spring by Rachel Carson, played an important role in the emergence of a new occupation named Environmental Scientist.

 Its importance to society –

• The growing focus on environmental issues, such as climate change, has led to a consider the importance of awareness, research, plan and manage concerns to save our planet from further degradation.
• This occupation is helping us to recognize the importance of incorporating environmental perspectives into our policy and practice for better management.
• Environmental careers are often multidisciplinary in nature, which makes them especially flexible, rewarding and interesting for people.
• The range of career options in the public and private sectors is broad and not restricted to a specific area. Also it is helping to provide employment to people.

 Nature of work (duties):

• Evaluating habitat, wildlife and fisheries needs, and formulating short and long-term management goals and objectives.
• Enforcing laws and regulations to conserve and protect fish and wildlife.
• Carrying out environmental impact assessments for a wide range of development projects.
• Proposing solutions to address negative environmental impact
• Studying the effects of factors, such as environmental change, sources of nutrition and the impacts of humans, on animal and plant life.
• Studying and analyzing pollution, atmospheric conditions, demographic characteristics, ecology, mineral, soil and water samples.
• Developing conservation and management policies for biological resources, such as fish populations and forests
• Implementing policies and organizing activities in designated parks and other areas to conserve and protect natural and cultural heritage
• Providing environmental information and reports.

 Conditions of work: 

• Work environment: Environmental Scientist work in offices, laboratories and fields with different private or public organizations. They might have to travel frequently to present or conduct research work.

• Hours of work: They work full time and often include working hours more than 40 hours in a week. 

• Health and/or accident hazards if any: While out in the field, working near deep water, testing rock or soil on treacherous terrain, or exposure to areas that contain a health hazard might occur. Also in laboratory, Environmental Scientist may have to work around toxic chemicals.

Earnings: The salary per month depends of the institution and organization’s norms. Minimum salary in private sector is Rs. 40,000/- per month and in government sector (Govt. of India) Level 10 Pay Matrix (Rs. 56,100 – Rs.1, 77,500/- per month) is followed as per the salary norms.

Eligibility:

•  Age: In Govt. Sectors, age limit is not exceeding 35 years. Age relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PHS is given as per Govt. of India norms.
• Educational qualifications:

• Special skills/training: Research work/Field work in Master’s course is required.

 Preparation and training for the career: After 10^th, students need to take science stream and start understanding the environmental concerns and public health. In order to get admission in the Bachelor’s Programme, students will have to aim for the required cut off marks (Minimum 60 percentage). Research work and field work reports is needed as a job requirement after completing Masters in Environmental Sciences. Students can pursue Internships in order to understand the job roles as a firsthand experience. This will also add up in their training.

 Scholarship and financial assistance available: Educational loan from different banks is available under the scheme of ‘Vidya Lakshmi’. One can contact National Policy Portal to apply – https://www.vidyalakshmi.co.in/Students/about-us

 Methods of entering the job: Application form needs to be filled with essential degrees attached. Entrance test in conducted to assess the aptitude of the candidates followed by a personal interview.

 Personal attributes required for entry or to be successful: To be successful and satisfied in this career, aspirants must have a deep interest to contribute in helping the environment. Working in this field required traveling and field visits, therefore someone who enjoys exploring different landscape will be more satisfied in this career. At times long hours of work is required to complete the project in hand, a person who is dedicated and can work hard for longer period of time or days will also excel in this career.

  Advancement/promotions: Promotions is an integral part of this career, completing various field projects or additional qualifications such as doctoral degree/MOOC helps in career advancements in terms of earning, higher position in the project and departmental changes as per the qualifications.

 Employment opportunities including self-employment: Generally this career requires an agency/organization/institute or ministry in the work life. Independent researches can be done to explore this field.

  List of educational/training institutions:

National Level Departments/ Organizations

• Industries , distilleries, fertilizer plants, mines, refineries, textile mills etc.
• Social Development
• Research and Development
• Forest and Wildlife Management
• NGOs
• Pollution Control Boards
• Urban Planning
• Water Resources and Agriculture
• Public Institutions and Private Industries and Firms
• Colleges and Universities
• Ministry of Environment and Forests

International Organizations:

These organizations are involved in environmental management, and conservation efforts:

• Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Earth System Governance Project
• Embassies and other Inter-national organization related to environment

Some Environmental Science Institutes In India

• Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh
• Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi
• Delhi College of Engineering, Delhi
• Department of Environmental Biology, Delhi University, Delhi
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi
• Jawahrlal Nehru University (JNU), School of Environmental Sciences, New Delhi
• Purvanchal University, Uttar Pradesh
• University of Delhi, New Delhi
• GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttar Pradesh
• Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut
• Gurukula Kangri Vishwavidyalaya, Hardwar, Uttar Pradesh
• Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Agra, Uttar Pradesh
• Awadh University, Faizabad-224001, Uttar Pradesh
• Guru Jambheshwar University, Hisar, Haryana
• University of Jammu, Jammu, Jammu & Kashmir
• Babasaheb B R Ambedkar University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
• B R Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
• Anna University, Guindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• University of Madras, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Tamil Nadu GD Agricultural University, Coimbatore
• University of Mysore, Mysore
• University of Pune, Pune
• Visvesvarya Technological University, AIT, Chikmagalur.