The word “environmental scientist” connotes a job that is quite inaccessible to most people; one that is hard to understand, even impossible for some. But what is actually an environmental scientist? What qualifications and requirements are needed for their job? And what does a day in the life of an environmental scientist consist of?
We are sure that, by getting the answers to these questions, it will be all the easier for us to start feeling that this field of work is actually quite accessible and possible to understand.
What is an Environmental Scientist?
An environmental scientist is a professional who studies the environment and focuses on studying the natural environment and how it reacts to changes in the environment. They study the factors that affect our air, water, soil, and even climate.
Environmental scientists can work for any type of company that deals with the natural world, such as agriculture or mining companies. Environmental scientists also work for governmental bodies like national parks or environmental protection agencies.
Environmental Scientists’ Qualifications And Requirements
In order to officially become an Environmental Scientist, you need a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, Geology, or a related field. In some cases, you might be able to get a job with just a high school diploma if you have on-the-job training.
Environmental scientists usually need to have about seven years of practical experience before they can begin their degree program. They may also need to attend graduate school if they wish to specialize in the field.
The most important qualification is having a lot of patience and persistence because it takes time for researchers to see results from studies conducted on the environment. This is not an easy job because it requires working with people who oppose your views on environmentalism all the time.
Sneak Peek Into a Day in the Life of an Environmental Scientist
Environmental scientists need to be prepared for a variety of tasks and they need to be flexible enough to change with the changing needs of their clients. They also need to work within tight deadlines. They may have to do fieldwork, which involves a lot of manual labor and traveling, and they may have to be knowledgeable about all types of animals and plants.
The day can start with any number of phone calls or emails from an environmental scientist’s boss requesting them to find out the impact that new developments will have on an endangered species. After determining the extent of the problem, they might come up with an alternative solution such as moving the endangered animal away from this development site as opposed to killing it off completely.
Why Is the Work That Environmental Scientists Do Important?
The work of environmental scientists is important because they are the ones who study the natural environment and its impact on human beings. They can also assess the pollution levels in a certain area as well as the effects of climate change.
Environmental scientists work in research and development, policy, education, conservation, and business sectors to promote sustainability. They don’t just study the environment but they also come up with solutions for its problems, which is why their work is so important, not just to the environment and animals, but also to us humans.