Career Options after Environmental Science

What is Environmental Science?

Environmental Science is a Physical Science, and the interdisciplinary study of natural and anthropogenic environmental change. It provides insight into environmental systems and processes to inform and explain environmental change. It also seeks to understand the mechanisms by which environmental change impacts human beings, living creatures and natural systems. It aims to identify, control, and prevent disruption to its systems and species caused by human activity.

What makes Environmental Science at UTSC unique?

Graduates of the Major Program are eligible to receive their Environmental Professional in Training (EPt) designation, which is a developmental certification for emerging environmental professionals: www.eco.ca/accreditation.

Skills of Environmental Science Grads

• Use observations, samples, and specimens to collect data
• Analysis of contaminants and pollutants
• Qualitative and quantitative approaches for environmental impact assessments and audits
• Statistical reasoning and methods
• Climate change modelling and impact assessment
• Techniques of soil examination and analysis
• Design, implementation and reporting of research (laboratory & fieldwork)
• Broad understanding of local, national and international environmental issues
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) for solving problems in the environmental sciences
• Communication of technical data

Entry-Level Jobs for Bachelor Grads

Common employment destinations include:

• Environmental Planner in Environmental Organizations including Engineering Firms
• Natural Resources Education Coordinator in Non-Profit Organizations
• Environmental Scientist in Environmental Management Services
• Environmental Educator
• Environmental Technician/Technologist
• Program Coordinator in Provincial/National Parks
• Field technician Resource Management and Conservation Authorities

The Career Directory

Environmental Science Grads from UTSC have gone on to:

• City of Toronto (Environmental Technician)
• Blackbird Constructors (Environmental Coordinator)
• GFL Environmental (Waste Analyst)

UTSC Environmental Science graduates are working in Research, Education, Project Management and Operations.

Graduate & Professional Studies

Popular further education opportunities include:

• Environmental Science – Master
• Planning – Master
• Environmental Technology – Post-Graduate Diploma
• Environmental Control – Post-Graduate Diploma

Examples of Fields that ‘Fit’ the Skills of Environmental Science Grads

• Environmental Consulting
• Research and Development
• Natural Resource Management
• Renewable Energy
• RemoteSensing
• Agriculture
• Geographic Information Systems
• Government (Municipal, Regional, Provincial, Federal)

Your 4-Year Career Exploration Action Plan

1. Do Your Research

The databases below provide you with details about job prospects, nature of work, educational requirements, working conditions, pay and related career paths:

• ​Career Cruising: Log into cln.utoronto.ca, click on Resources, and click on Career Cruising to be logged in automatically
• O*Net: online.onetcenter.org (U.S. site)

Attend our workshop Discover Your Skills and Career Options, meet with a Career Counsellor, and use our resources to get to know your skills, values, personality and interests.

Use the advice on our tip sheets for gathering information:

• Information Interviews
• Working On-Campus
• Internships
• Volunteering

2. Explore Career Options & Get Experience

Gain exposure to your options in the world of work and make connections while you’re a student via campus events and programs listed on cln.utoronto.ca and ccr.utoronto.ca:

• Extern Job Shadowing
• In the Field
• Explore It! (course-based)
• Partners in Leadership (4th year students)
• iLead, uLead, weLead (Department of Student Life)
• Employer Information Sessions
• Career & Volunteer Fairs
• Departmental Student Association Events

Apply for Work Study jobs in CLN in Fall and Spring! You might also find work via the SCSU.

Find networking opportunities, internship programs and entry-level jobs via websites like TalentEgg and Charity Village.

As an upper year student (14+ credits), attend UTSC’s Get Hired conference and participate in Jobs for Grads.

As a graduate, explore internships and other trainee programs like Career Edge.

3. Build Your Network

Explore professional associations and get involved! Volunteer for their events and get to know people in your industry of interest. These are your future mentors, supervisors and colleagues!

• Environmental & Physical Sciences Student Association
• Ontario Environment Industry Association
• ECO Canada – Environmental Careers Organization of Canada
• Institute of Professional Environmental Practice
• Canadian Water Resources Association
• Connecting Environmental Professionals Toronto
• Environmental Health Association of Ontario
• Nature Conservancy of Canada
• Canadian Environmental Law Association
• Ontario Environmental Network

Please note: This information is a starting point for your further research into career options in this field of study. For more information on this program and course requirements, please visit the Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences website.