How to Become an Environmentalist
If you care deeply about the planet and want to protect it in any way you can, then a career as an environmentalist could empower you to make this your life’s work. With more initiatives today to minimize carbon emissions and safeguard the planet’s precious natural resources, professionals with a background in environmentalism can find work across a wide range of industries.
With a better understanding of what an environmentalist does, career opportunities for environmentalists, and how to become one, you can decide whether this career path may be right for you.
What Is an Environmentalist?
In simplest terms, an environmentalist is a professional who advocates for the protection and conservation of the planet and its natural environment. They may aim to address issues that impact the environment at different levels, ranging from air pollution to global climate change and beyond.
What Environmentalists Do
Because environmentalism is such a broad field, the job duties and responsibilities of an environmentalist can vary greatly depending on the specific role. In general, environmentalists are responsible for conducting research to learn more about different factors that may be affecting the environment.
Based on their research and other studies, environmentalists may recommend policies to reduce environmental impact and improve the world. Throughout environmentalist careers, many of these professionals take on an educator role, where they present their findings and beliefs to spread the word about their research and the initiatives for which they’re advocating.
In some environmentalist roles, these professionals may even be responsible for advising government leaders and other policymakers on changes that should be made or policies that should be passed to better protect the environment.
Potential Industries for Environmentalists
One of the best things about studying environmentalism is that there are many different jobs and industries that you can explore with enough background and education in this field. No matter where your specific interests and strengths lie, there’s a good chance you can find environmentalist jobs that suit you. Some examples of industries that commonly hire environmentalists include:
- Science – Environmental scientists are often hired to conduct relevant research, spread information, and make recommendations to policymakers that will better protect the planet.
- Engineering – Environmental engineers play a critical role in creating safer and healthier places to live by testing the air, water, and other resources for pollution and contaminants. Some of these engineers may also test, operate, and/or maintain equipment that removes pollutants from air and water to improve its quality.
- Law – The field of environmental law is an important one because it’s where many policies and proposals end up becoming law. Specifically, environmental lawyers use existing research to advocate for special regulations to protect the planet and its resources.
Important Skills for Environmentalists
No matter which area of environmentalism you’re most interested in, there are some essential skills you’ll need to have to thrive in this fast-paced career. For starters, environmentalists need to have a strong scientific understanding of the planet and natural sciences (including chemistry and biology) and the many ways in which natural sciences can impact social sciences (and vice versa).
Meanwhile, environmentalists need to be excellent communicators and collaborators. Not only do they often need to be in contact with other environmentalists, but they must be able to clearly share their findings, recommendations, and ideas with the general public and those outside of the field.
These skills, combined with strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, can make for a well-rounded environmentalist.
Environmentalist Careers
So, exactly what kinds of environmentalist careers are available? Whether you’re more interested in the legal side of environmentalism or want to get into the legal aspect of it, there are all kinds of career opportunities you can pursue with the right education and qualifications.
Some examples of specific job titles in environmentalism include:
- Environmental scientists – These professionals carry out research to better understand the environment and humans’ impact on it.
- Environmental policy advisor – These experts analyze potential policies that could affect the environment, making specific recommendations to policymakers and other agencies.
- Climate change consultant – These professionals advise businesses on ways to reduce their own carbon emissions and other strategies to reduce their contribution to global climate change.
- Air quality engineer – An expert who tests air quality and uses engineering strategies to address air quality issues while ensuring compliance with related laws and regulations.
In addition to these common job titles, many environmentalists go on to work as lobbyists, educators, environmental managers, activists, and even environmental lawyers.
How to Become an Environmentalist
If a career in environmentalism sounds like your calling, then there are a few steps you’ll need to take before you can break into this field.
Basic Education Requirements
A solid education in environmentalism can lay the foundation for a successful career. At Unity Environmental University, we’re just as passionate about protecting our planet as you are, which is why we offer a variety of Unity environmental programs to choose from.
From environmental engineering to environmental studies and beyond, completing your degree in a related field can provide you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to thrive in this field.
Work Experience
A little experience can go a long way in applying the concepts you’ve learned in the classroom to real-world scenarios. There are plenty of ways to gain practical experience even while you’re still in school, including opportunities for fieldwork and independent research. You may even be able to land an internship during your degree program, which is a great way to gain relevant experience while filling out your resume.
Advanced Education
Some environmentalists choose to advance their education beyond the undergraduate level with a master’s degree or additional certifications. By advancing your education, you can further hone your knowledge and even specialize in a particular area of the field. With a higher level of relevant education, you may be able to qualify for more advanced environmentalist roles while establishing yourself as a thought leader and enjoying the potential for higher earnings in the process.
Get Started in a Degree Program
Across the globe, environmentalists play a critical role in promoting sustainability, conservation, and awareness of global ecology. Every day, their hard work makes a difference and strives to create a better future for all of Earth’s creatures.
If you’re interested in breaking into an environmentalist career, a solid education is one of the most valuable assets you can have. At Unity Environmental University, we offer a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies designed to prepare students for any number of environmentalist careers by providing students with a holistic understanding of environmental issues. And for added convenience with your busy schedule, this program is one of many offered online.
Learn more about our Environmental Studies program by reaching out to our team, or take the next step in your journey by filling out an online application today.
