Environmental Science: Sustainable Land & Water Management Emphasis

The Sustainable Land and Water Management concentration in the Environmental Science major familiarizes students with scientific, agricultural, and environmental issues surrounding landscape-level processes in environmental science. Students in this concentration investigate human-caused deforestation and desertification; ecological restoration; water, soil and air pollution; and global change; and they may work as researchers, environmental policy advisers or advocates, or land or water managers. This concentration is also excellent preparation for graduate studies in landscape architecture, geography, geology, arid lands resource science, or environmental law. Some of the job titles listed below may require an advanced degree.

Potential Career Areas:

  • Sustainability promotion
  • Natural resources management
  • Research
  • Policy design/analysis
  • Regulation/enforcement
  • Outreach
  • Education
  • Public relations

 

Sample Employers:

  • Colleges and universities
  • Research institutes
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Government agencies
  • Park and forest services
  • Farms
  • Businesses
  • Real estate developers
  • Alternative energy companies
  • Consulting firms
  • Media outlets

 

Sample Job Titles and National Salary Ranges:

Job Title

Salary Range

Sustainability Specialist $33,800 - $62,400
Environmental Protection Specialist $26,600 - $41,400
Soil/Water Conservationist $36,000 - $59,300
Water Resources Manager $67,300 - $116,000
Land Trust Manager $35,190 - $86,910
Environmental Activist $18,000 - $47,000
Environmental Compliance Inspector $34,500 - $58,700
Environmental Restoration Planner $37,900 - $61,700
Industrial Ecologist $37,900 - $61,700
Public Information Officer $30,600 - $52,100
Alternative Energy Products Sales Representative $36,700 - $73,700
Science Reporter $19,180 - $73,880
Policy Analyst $39,000 - $108,000

 

Sources of Information:  United States Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics (2010); DISCOVER (2011); Facts on File: Ferguson’s Career Guidance Center (2011).