Environment

The growing focus on environmental issues such as global warming and climate change has led to a considerable expansion in environment-related jobs. Industries, businesses and government have increasingly recognised the importance of incorporating environmental perspectives into the development of policy and practice, resulting in a high demand for environmental knowledge and expertise.

Environmental careers are often multidisciplinary in nature which makes them rewarding and interesting. The range of career options in both the public and private sectors is broad and not restricted to a specific area.

The work

The Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) considers science and environment occupations to include: environment and agricultural scientists, forestry and soil professionals, geologists and geophysicists and park rangers.

Environmental careers in the public sector are generally focused in the areas of environmental management, research, regulation and policy development. In the private sector there are many opportunities for environmental specialists. Private companies, especially those involved with petrol, oil and mining, must incorporate sustainable practices (social, economic and environmental) into all levels of their operation.

Graduates interested in a career in the environment sector should take into account the following lifestyle factors:

  • Extensive ‘outdoors’ work is a feature for some occupations.
  • Regular travel, often to remote locations, can be an ongoing aspect in some occupations and fields.
  • For those passionate about environmental issues, work in this sector can be hugely rewarding.
What you need

It is possible for graduates from virtually any degree background to gain work in the environment field, however a strong science background is usually expected.

As the field continues to expand it is likely that an Environmental Science degree, or generalist degree with Environmental major, will become a basic requirement. Some of the degree courses that can lead to a career in the environment sector include:

  • Arts or Science (with Environmental Studies component)
  • Environmental Science
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Agriculture/Agricultural Science
  • Journalism
  • Ecotourism
  • Environmental Law

Many degree courses relevant to environmental careers are interdisciplinary and will include units in Environmental Planning, Policy and Management in conjunction with studies in one of the Biological Sciences.

Money matters

The 2006 Australian Graduate Survey showed that 50 per cent of bachelor graduates working as Environmental or Agricultural Scientists earned $38,000-$46,000. For bachelor graduates from Environmental Studies, 50 per cent of those working at a managerial, professional or associate professional level earned $38,000-$48,000. See www.gradsonline.com.au for current salary information.

Significant stats
  • Approximately 85 per cent of employees in science and environment occupations were working full-time in 2006.
  • Future job growth for environmental and agricultural scientists and forestry and soil professionals is expected to be strong.
  • Unemployment in key environmental professions was below average at February 2007, with job growth of nearly 20 per cent for environmental and agricultural scientists over the five years to 2007.

Source: except where indicated, figures from “Australian Jobs 2007”, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.