by Elizabeth Buckner
With both business and government becoming concerned about human impact on the environment, there are growing options for environmental scientists. A college programs in environmental science or natural resources conservation could be your ticket to this exciting and environmentally friendly career.
Environmental scientists work to protect the environment by preserving natural resources and identifying and disposing of pollutants that affect people, wildlife, and their environments. Their duties range from collecting field samples and conducting research to advising companies on best practices. Many environmental scientists choose to focus on a specific area of environmental science such as, forestry, natural resources conservation or wildlife and wild lands.
The median annual wage of conservation scientists was $59,310 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,050, and the top 10 percent earned more than $89,440.
The median annual wage of biological technicians was $39,020 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,930, and the top 10 percent earned more than $62,890.According to the US Department of Labor, while a bachelor's degree is often sufficient for entry-level positions, environmental scientists increasingly need a master's degree. A college program in environmental science should cover the general sciences, biology, chemistry and geology while also focusing on data analysis and physical geography.
So what are you waiting for? A college program in environmental science or natural resources conservation and research could be your ticket to this exciting outdoors career!