Who's an Environmental Scientist?
Pollution and global warming have raised a lot of concern in recent times. We need individuals who are aware and determined to contribute towards a healthy planet. If you want to play a role in fighting environmental damage, then environmental scientist is the right career option for you. An environmental scientist studies the science of natural resources and the impact of human activity on the environment. As an environmental scientist, you’ll conduct scientific research to prevent and solve environmental issues caused by human activities, such as pollution, industrial waste, climate change, public health issues among other major issues.
What will you do?
Where will you work?
How do you get there?
What skills would you need?
Technical Skills
Technical skills refer to the specific knowledge and abilities required to perform particular tasks, often related to technology, engineering, computer science, or specialized fields. These skills encompass a wide range of competencies, including proficiency in software applications, programming languages, data analysis tools, and technical writing. Mastering technical skills allows individuals to effectively utilise tools and technologies relevant to their job roles. Strong technical skills will enable professionals to troubleshoot issues, implement solutions, and contribute to innovation within their organisations. build this skill
Research
Research is the systematic process of collecting, analysing, and interpreting information to increase understanding of a particular topic or issue. It involves identifying a question or problem, gathering relevant data, and evaluating sources to draw meaningful conclusions. Research can take various forms, including qualitative studies (which explore perceptions and experiences) and quantitative studies (which focus on numerical data and statistics). Strong research skills will enable you to find reliable information, assess the credibility of sources, and synthesise findings to support decision-making or further exploration. This skill is crucial in many fields, such as academia, business, healthcare, and technology, where informed decisions rely on thorough investigation and analysis. build this skill
Scientific Skills
Scientific skills encompass a range of abilities that enable individuals to conduct scientific research, understand scientific concepts, and apply scientific reasoning. Having strong scientific skills is crucial in fields such as healthcare, environmental science, engineering, and research, as they underpin the ability to innovate and solve complex problems. They also foster a deeper understanding of how scientific principles impact everyday life. build this skill
Communication Skills
Communication skills are the ability to clearly express ideas, information, and feelings, both verbally and in writing, so others can easily understand. This includes listening effectively, using the right tone, and being aware of non-verbal cues like body language. These skills help you explain your thoughts clearly, build relationships, and work better in teams. Good communication is important in almost every job, from customer service to leadership roles, because it ensures that tasks are understood and done correctly, and it helps prevent misunderstandings. build this skill
Attention to Detail
Attention to detail means being careful and noticing small things that others might miss. It involves checking your work carefully for mistakes, following instructions exactly, and making sure everything is done correctly. This skill helps you do accurate work and avoid errors. In jobs, attention to detail is important for tasks like writing reports, managing data, or following safety rules. build this skill
Critical thinking
Marketing strategies involve a lot of trial and error. You will come up with a lot of ideas that sound great on paper. When you analyse them, you might learn that they can’t be executed as per the budget. You should be able to look at an idea practically and see if it will serve its purpose.
build this skillHow do you make it to the top ranks?
Intern
You can work under the supervision of a reputed environmental scientist in an organisation or private laboratory to strengthen your abilities for a successful career in the field.
Junior Environmental Scientist
You can start your career as a junior or assistant scientist after obtaining the necessary qualifications. Your major role would be to contribute to the research and assist the senior environmental scientist in carrying out projects.
Mid-level Environmental Scientist
After attaining the necessary knowledge, you can secure the position of a research scientist. As a research scientist, you’ll be responsible for doing research and supervising junior scientists.
Senior Environmental Scientist / Researcher
After 8-10 years of experience, you may be promoted to the position of a senior environmental scientist. As a senior environmental scientist, you’ll have more duties, such as lab administration, and monitoring and supervising your team’s performance.
The colleges in India that offer degrees in environmental science are located in almost every state. You can pursue a B.Sc/M.Sc in Environmental Science from top colleges/universities like Amity University (Kolkata), Savitribai Phule Pune University (Pune), Fergusson College (Pune), Delhi University (Delhi), Ramnarain Ruia College of Science and Arts (Mumbai), B.K. Birla College (Mumbai), etc. For a B.sc in environmental science, admissions in most colleges are based on merit, so scoring well in 10+2 is desirable. M.sc colleges have entrance exams for admissions like JNUEE for Jawaharlal Nehru University, BHU UET for Banaras Hindu University, DUET for Delhi University. The fee for these courses ranges from INR 20,000 to INR 3 lakhs.
Protection of the environment plays an integral role in every business and industrial venture. Under such circumstances, an environmental scientist is highly sought after in various sectors urban planning, corporate firms and agencies, mines and refineries, government PSUs, NGOs, etc.
You can pursue a degree in environmental science from universities like Stanford University (United States), Yale University (United States), Harvard University (United States), University of Oxford (United Kingdom), University of Toronto (Canada), Duke University (United States), among others, who offer undergraduate and postgraduate courses in environmental science. Apart from qualifying exams like TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, SAT, etc., colleges will have different criteria regarding the knowledge of the field. The fee ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 45,000.
In foreign countries, environmental scientists have an immensely vast scope. From consultancy and research to impact assessment and environmental activism, they are paid handsomely in all these fields.
How much would you get paid?
As an Environmental Scientist, your salary broadly depends on the area of your employment, the organisation you’re working with and your experience in the field. The pay scale for this job ranges from INR 20,000 monthly for an entry-level environmental scientist to INR 1 lakh monthly and above for an experienced environmental scientist.
What are your career options?
Environmental Science Educator
As an Environmental Science Educator, you will typically teach courses in environmental science. You will also carry out research and develop educational programmes and resources for students in a school or university. To specialise in this field, you must possess excellent communication and leadership skills.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental consultants are professionals who help public and private industries with analysis and insight on a variety of environmental issues such as waste management, water and air pollution, and soil contamination. This assists the industry in avoiding potential fines and allows the companies to implement sustainable practices in the workplace.
For instance, as an environmental consultant, you will advise your clients on how to better use and dispose of hazardous materials or help them assess the impact of a construction project on the environment.
Marine Biologist
Marine biology is one of the subsets of environmental science in which you study marine organisms and observe any changes to the bodies of water, such as oceans and wetlands. As a marine biologist, you will conduct research and perform tests on marine inhabits exposed to pollutants or marine hazards. For pursuing this particular profession, you might have to specialise in marine biology at the master’s level.
Wildlife Biologist
A wildlife biologist is an expert who studies the behaviour of animals and other wildlife. As a wildlife biologist, you’ll study how each animal interacts with its natural environment and how the environment affects its survival. A deep love of animals and wildlife is required for a career as a wildlife biologist. Apart from this, a major in zoology or wildlife biology from the undergraduate will also help in establishing a career as a wildlife biologist.
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