2 answers
Isabella
Student
3
Questions
Asked
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What educational requirements are needed when applying for a job as an conservation scientist?
I am interested in studying environmental studies or science in college and I was wondering what classes I may need to take in order to be qualified for a career as a conservation scientist or in a sustainable-focused work environment.
#science #college #sustainability #conservation
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2 answers
Simon Bird
Environmental Educator & Undergraduate Advisor
8
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Simon’s Answer
Hi Isabella,
I teach environmental studies and environmental conservation from an ecological perspective. Very generally, a solid foundation in natural science, some quantitative and critical skills, a touch of computer programming experience, awareness of and basic literacy in economics, political science, sociology, and related fields, and sound English language skills (particularly in terms of technical writing) will all help in terms of preparation in college. You also want to develop applied and practical experience, and problem-solving ability that has some connection to your future career path so engaging in research, pursuing internship opportunities with connection to conservation, joining and leading relevant student organizations, and developing a sound understanding of your own motivation for that career path will all help too. Conservation and sustainability go well beyond my own area of focus, however, so you may want to explore the more humanities-focused side if that is a better fit for you. The good news is that whatever you choose to major in, your future career can focus on sustainability in some capacity; the challenge is that these inter- and multidisciplinary fields have many different options and choices for you as a student.
For most students, it takes some time to work out which path might suit them best, but as long as you choose experiences that will help you understand your own interests and passions. Keep asking yourself questions such as what are you doing, why are you doing it, what have you learned from that, and what can you do next to build on that experience? Continual self-assessment and reflection will help you as you explore further both in the classroom and outside of it.
Hope that's useful!
I teach environmental studies and environmental conservation from an ecological perspective. Very generally, a solid foundation in natural science, some quantitative and critical skills, a touch of computer programming experience, awareness of and basic literacy in economics, political science, sociology, and related fields, and sound English language skills (particularly in terms of technical writing) will all help in terms of preparation in college. You also want to develop applied and practical experience, and problem-solving ability that has some connection to your future career path so engaging in research, pursuing internship opportunities with connection to conservation, joining and leading relevant student organizations, and developing a sound understanding of your own motivation for that career path will all help too. Conservation and sustainability go well beyond my own area of focus, however, so you may want to explore the more humanities-focused side if that is a better fit for you. The good news is that whatever you choose to major in, your future career can focus on sustainability in some capacity; the challenge is that these inter- and multidisciplinary fields have many different options and choices for you as a student.
For most students, it takes some time to work out which path might suit them best, but as long as you choose experiences that will help you understand your own interests and passions. Keep asking yourself questions such as what are you doing, why are you doing it, what have you learned from that, and what can you do next to build on that experience? Continual self-assessment and reflection will help you as you explore further both in the classroom and outside of it.
Hope that's useful!
Thank you so much! This is extremely helpful. I will definitely look into developing more of these skills and setting myself up for a more well-rounded experience.
Isabella
Glad it was helpful. If more specific questions come up related to this, please feel free to add them to this thread!
Simon Bird
Teng Teng
Sales
1
Answer
Macau
Updated
Teng’s Answer
Hi, dear. Environmental studies can be a couples of career you can choose. Depend on your what interest and strength you have passionate in it.
If you have passion on science, physical, chemistry, or even in biology, all of that can develop in the job that you try to be. Like you have talent in biology, actually you can apply your talent in ecology, and find more information related to the kind of fields. Or you have passion in how to preserve the environment. you can know more how to cultivate different kind of trees and flowers and try different ways to protect them in somewhere they cannot even exist, like forester. One more example. If you have passion in the earth that you love, you can discover more information related soil mechanism.
Sustainable environment must be the future and a whole-life career. Even be a civil engineer, you still can work on green building to delicate to environment. So the first step you need to do is discover your own passion and strength, then try more in different kind of aspect lecture in your college life.
All in all, it would be a little bit difficult to illustrate all the details in a brief introduction, but I ensure that you can find your way when you study more about this subject.
If you have passion on science, physical, chemistry, or even in biology, all of that can develop in the job that you try to be. Like you have talent in biology, actually you can apply your talent in ecology, and find more information related to the kind of fields. Or you have passion in how to preserve the environment. you can know more how to cultivate different kind of trees and flowers and try different ways to protect them in somewhere they cannot even exist, like forester. One more example. If you have passion in the earth that you love, you can discover more information related soil mechanism.
Sustainable environment must be the future and a whole-life career. Even be a civil engineer, you still can work on green building to delicate to environment. So the first step you need to do is discover your own passion and strength, then try more in different kind of aspect lecture in your college life.
All in all, it would be a little bit difficult to illustrate all the details in a brief introduction, but I ensure that you can find your way when you study more about this subject.
Thank you so much! Your advice was so helpful and I will continue to learn about all the ways I can use my knowledge and career to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Isabella