Career Planning

Why study Environmental Science?
Environmental Science graduates with a B.S. will leave with a solid foundation in biological and physical natural sciences and the specialized training necessary for integrated analysis of environmental systems. These graduates seeking direct employment will find their talents needed in environmental and conservation industries, as well as in academia, national laboratories, and clinics. While some students find employment directly after their baccalaureate training, many will continue their education in one of the many excellent graduate programs in environmental science that now exist.
Depending on your college, the CALS Career Services and LAS Career Services assist you with resumes, cover letters, and references; offer tools to provide feedback on formatting and content; and lead mock interviews to prepare you for upcoming interviews.
Career Outlook and Outcomes
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment for environmental scientists is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations. The majority of Environmental Scientists are employed in governmental positions, but the job market in the private sector, more specifically consulting firms, is expected to see the most growth because of public policy demand for new rules and regulations.
Internship & Apprenticeship Credit
Any work experience related to Environmental Science can be used for credit within ISU's Environmental Science program. View the Internship Guidelines and talk to your advisor about EnSci 3900 credit.
Recommended Internship Programs
The following internship programs are well-suited for our students. You can talk to your adviser about these and any additional internship opportunities they may know about.
National Council for Science and the Environment
Iowa DNR Pollution Prevention Intern Program
Additional Environmental-Related Internship Resources
There are several agencies and non-profit organizations that help students find environmental related internships.
- The Student Conservation Association
- Student Jobs in Government
- Environmental Jobs in Environmental Career Opportunities
- American Geological Institute (GeoScience & Public Policy Internships)
- National Institutes of Health
- CampusAccess.ceom
- Chicagoland Environmental Network
- New York City Department of Parks & Rec
- iHipo - International Internships
- Global Vision (International Jobs & Internships)
- Ecological Society of America
- Conservation Job Board
- Go Grad
Environmental Job Listings
Environmental Science Student Services can help connect you with related projects happening at ISU. To help us advertise you to the respective research projects, please fill out the Environmental Science Employment Application and return it to Allison Manz in 103 Bessey Hall.
Then, a good starting point in your career search is CyHire and the Career Services Office in your college.
Other resources for job listings:
- NREM Job Board
- CYBER-SIERRA'S Natural Resources Job Search
- Careers in Sustainability
- Conservation Job Board
- Environmental Career.com
- Environmental Science Degree.org careers
- Environmental Web Directory - Employment
- Environmental Jobs in Environmental Career Opportunities
- Global Vision (International Jobs & Internships)
- NRM jobs (Australia & New Zealand)
- Society of Wetland Scientists Job Listing
- Careerjet.com