Related to Major
Environmental Science
Faculty of Environment
For more information, visit the School of Environmental Science website.
Explore Your Possibilities
According to Workopolis, almost one third of Canadians have 5 to 10 different jobs in one career, and one in every four has more than 10 different jobs in one career (Workopolis, 2015).
Explore the list of job titles below for ideas about what you could do with your major. Remember your choice of major is not all there is to you, and organizations hire people, not majors.
Some of the occupational titles reflect jobs of SFU Alumni, and others are occupations commonly associated with each major. Jobs that typically require further education are also listed.
Make a list of options you are most curious about, then start exploring the possibilities.
Options commonly associated with the major
- Jr. Environmental Assessment Officer
- Resource Technician
- Field Biologist/Environmental Technician
- Land Authorizations Coordinator
- Environmental Educator
- Geoscientist
- Renewable Energy Designer
- Water or Air Quality Inspector
- Climatologist
- Hydrologist
- Ecologist
- Fish Culturist
Other Possibilities
Job titles beyond the typical options
- Laboratory Technician
- GIS Analyst
- Regulatory Affairs Officer
- Research Assistant in Climate Science & Modelling
- Enviro Policy Analyst
- Food/Grain Inspector
- Energy Auditor
- Science Program Coordinator
- Environmental Communication Specialist
- Environmental Services Coordinator
- Reclamation Specialist
- Urban Farmer
Further Education
Possibilities with additional education or training
- Environmental Scientist
- Environmental Journalist
- Environmental Researcher
- Fish Projection Hydrologist
- University Lecturer
- Senior Hydrogeologist
Fields of Work
There are numerous fields where you could find yourself following your undergraduate degree. For example:
- Arts and Culture
- Environment
- Health
- Manufacturing
- Scientific and Technical
- Telecommunications
What fields interest you? If you are uncertain, take the initiative and start exploring different fields. If your preferred fields turn out to not be what you expected, pause. Technology, climate change, automation, globalization and other factors may impact these fields and offer new or different opportunities.
The North American Industry Classification System gives you an overview of all industries and their subsectors.
WorkBC lets you browse careers, the education expectation, salary ranges, descriptions, and specific information about each job.
Core Skills (Major-Specific)
In the course of your undergraduate degree you’ll develop a wide array of skills. While many of these skills encompass essential skills and 21st-Century skills, you’ll also develop job specific skills. These are the specialized knowledge and skills you’ll gain through your courses and are unique to your discipline.
Content knowledge and technical skills vary widely between occupations and are generally only used in one line of work. The type of skills that you’ll need depend on the scope of the work.
You want to understand what skills you developed and the one’s you want to use, so when someone asks you about your discipline content knowledge and skills you can speak clearly and confidently about them.
+ MAJOR Specific Skills
- Research, analyze data, summarize and report results orally and in writing
- Apply course concepts to real-world environmental problems
- Develop effective science communication skills
- Critically read and comprehend scientific journals, articles, and web-based materials
- Design and implement environmental impact assessment and monitoring
- Interdisciplinary research and knowledge of natural resources and environmental issues
- Use computer programs and statistical applications to manipulate, display, and create data and graphs to visually represent info
- Determine data collection methods for research projects, investigations, and surveys
- Identify solutions to environment and development issues, using planning, analysis, modeling, and new approaches
- Apply technical skills in quantitative methods including techniques of differentiation, mean value theorem, various functions. Limits, and derivatives
- Utilize theoretical and applied aspects of physical hydrogeology and aqueous geochemistry are linked by providing students with hands-on experience using hydrogeological equipment (data loggers, pumps, and chemical sampling equipment), implementing sampling and testing protocols, and using state-of-the-art laboratory analytical facilities.
- Accurately follow laboratory protocols, utilize and maintain lab equipment
- Intercultural communication and problem-solving skills developed from investigating and asking fundamental questions about how people live and interact in different social contexts.
- Comprehensive qualitative research skills, from developing research questions, identifying appropriate research methods and designing projects that address socio-economic issues.
- Quantitative research skills using basic statistical analysis, including designing and interpreting graphs and tables, reading research articles, and evaluating popular coverage of research.
- Ability to translate theory into action from applying knowledge about cultures and societies and using it to inform the arenas of work and activism.
- Critical thinking skills from applying anthropological perspectives to the analysis of social actions, identities, and values as enacted in space and time.
- Interpersonal skills from obtaining information about group dynamics and attitudes, customs, and beliefs about the human condition.
- Written and verbal communication skills, from writing papers and making presentations.
Foundational Skills
You’ll need these skills to perform different tasks and at varying levels of complexity in education and work environments depending on the what further education you pursue and on the nature of the work. The Government of Canada and other organizations such as the World Economic Forum report that these skills are increasing in importance and are highly valued and sought after by employers.
Through each of the different events and experiences in your life (education, work, travel, hobbies and extra-curricular activities) you have developed a diverse range of these skills, probably more than you realize.
Useful Sites
Through extensive research, the Government of Canada along with other agencies have identified and validated key literacy, essential and employability skills. These skills are used in nearly every career and throughout daily life and are instrumental in helping you enter, stay in, and progress in the world of work.
Get involved
There are plenty of opportunities and different ways to get involved in activities, programs and services outside of the classroom to learn and grow. By engaging in student leadership programs, volunteering, paid work, and student clubs and groups, you’ll develop new skills, make connections, and gain experience.
Explore a diverse range of inclusive events, services, and community outreach opportunities for students, staff, alumni and friends of SFU.
Explore on-campus opportunities like workshops and events, as well as volunteer and paid positions.
Want to gain experience and earn money while studying? Consider applying to the co-op program
Apply for on-campus volunteer and paid positions, participate in career and leadership development programs and workshops, and access your Co-Curricular Record.
Not-for-profit network by students for students. Find student unions, clubs and other resources and services.
Related Professional Associations
Professional associations are a valuable resource for occupational research, work search and building connections. They may offer career information, job boards, networking, mentorship, volunteer opportunities and additional resources.
Resources
Take your career exploration one step further by doing your own research. Here are some organizations and resources to get started.