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Tag: SCIENCE CAREERS

  • STEM Career Profile: Environmental Engineer

    STEM Career Profile: Environmental Engineer

    Do you like researching, testing and then finding solutions to things? Do you care about lakes, forests, air pollution and just the environment in general? These things could make you a great career and, truthfully, a lot of money! A STEM career (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) in the field of environmental engineering is extremely rewarding and perfect for the person who wants to continuously be challenged in meaningful ways.

    As an environmental engineer you may deal with issues surrounding public health, recycling, waste disposal as well as issues related to water and air pollution control. This is a career for the science lover and the problem solver. Not only will you need to create solutions to environmental problems, but also work with existing solutions to make them even better. This means that you have your entire career to get better. Not only does your job make the world look better, but it keeps people healthier. As an environmental engineer you will analyze specific data, design municipal water supplies, prevent environmental catastrophes by designing regulations, perform quality checks, and correct and control malfunctioning equipment and research.

    Most environmental engineers work in architectural management or scientific and technical consulting firms; but there are also places for environmental engineers in state government or federal and local government offices. So what kind of education do you need? As a minimal, you will need a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in either environmental engineering, civil or chemical engineering. It does not hurt to get a Master’s degree for maximum salary potential, but not always necessary. The most important thing is to get yourself in to internships or cooperative engineering programs. Rack up that credit and experience- for once you do, the possibilities are endless and your wages will climb. A typical salary for an environmental engineer is between $57,000 and $95,00. This career promises to be satisfying on a personal, political and environmental level- go for it!

  • STEM Career Profile: Climate Change Analyst

    STEM Career Profile: Climate Change Analyst

    The world’s climate has become a major topic of discussion in recent years. As temperatures change and the impacts are felt, it has become a deeply divisive and problematic issue. Yet it is not all doom and gloom. There are many people working hard to better understand this phenomenon and how humans can best respond to it. If you find yourself drawn to the subject, you might want to consider becoming a climate change analyst.

    This field requires a strong understanding of both science and policy. On one hand, you may focus more on the former, in which you would be collecting data and analyzing it. On the other hand, you may be drawn more to the political side of the matter, and in that case you would be creating policies related to Earth’s climate. Be prepared to analyze everything from the atmosphere and the oceans, to the ice up north and the greenhouse gases in metropolitan areas, and beyond. If this complicated data intrigues you, the scientific approach may be for you. If you would rather focus on implementing those results, the world of policy making may be your calling.

    Climate change analysts spend much of their time at a computer to analyze data and prepare their research. Yet you may also be out and about analyzing the rising sea levels or measuring the use of fossil fuels. Further work and analysis may be required in a lab.

    In order to do all of that, you will need at minimum a bachelor’s degree. Many in the field pursue master’s degrees or a Ph.D. in order to find better jobs. For your studies, consider subjects such as geology, geochemistry, physics, geophysics, and meteorology. Jobs in the field typically do not require certification, but it can be helpful to join professional groups to help your career. One example is the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. You can expect to make an average salary of $47 000 per year in Canada as a specialist in climate change. With experience and post-graduate education, that can increase to an average range of $68 000 to $72 000 annually.

    Your research and findings can help Canadians find ways to reduce their impact on the environment. Perhaps your research will lead to methods of reducing or eventually eliminating the use of fossil fuels. It could lead to discoveries in renewable energy that would allow for greater use of solar power or other safer energy sources. Your reports are part of a collaborative effort that can make its way to the Minister of the Environment. This can lead to monumental changes in laws and policies that affect everyone.

    The climate has become one of the major issues of the 21st century. It may be an urgent issue, but it is far from a hopeless cause. More and more action is being taken to ensure a positive future for humanity. This means there are more and more job opportunities for those aspiring to be climate change analysts.

    Sources

    Eco Canada. Climate Change Specialist. http://www.eco.ca/career-profiles/climate-change-specialist/

    Sokanu. What does a Climate Change Analyst do? https://www.sokanu.com/careers/climate-change-analyst/

  • I Love Nature…Can I Make That Into a Career?

    I Love Nature…Can I Make That Into a Career?

    Do you find yourself dreading having to be kept inside for hours at a time? Are you the one looking at bugs and rocks in the park while the other kids are on the playground? Does your Christmas list consist of ways to get around nature or study it? An early love of nature can lead to wide variety of outdoorsy and exciting careers; here are a few to get you thinking:

    Geologist

    Are you strong in sciences and math? If you love rocks and volcanoes, or perhaps have always been curious about the ocean floor—you might like geology! As a geologist, you would study the different materials that make up the earth. In order to study these things, companies who hire you will often send you traveling.

    Nature Photographer

    Do you love both art and nature? Nature photography is meticulous and exciting work involving either animals or plants. Take a look at the movie Planet Earth or read National Geographic to see the work of some of the world’s top nature photographers. Most of these artists are freelancers, and all of them focus on capturing images of what many of us have never seen.

    Conservation Scientist

    Conservation science means forestry. Trees and forest life are some of the earth’s coolest things to see, and as a conservation scientist you would be involved in protecting the land and taking care of its natural resources. It would be your job to help landowners and governments make the right decisions on how to protect our earth’s precious land and natural resources.

    Farmer

    Farmers who are particularly focused on food or raw materials make a living by growing field crops or working in orchards or vineyards. It is very hands-on work and requires a love of the outdoors and putting in that extra effort to make your product grow and be the best of its kind.

    Park Ranger

    As a park ranger it would be your job to protect and watch over park and forest area. Park rangers patrol the grounds and make sure visitors are following safety rules and that they do not disturb the natural environment. They are basically sheriffs of the woods.

    Botanist

    A botanist studies plants, from algae to mosses to flowering plants. Plants are so important because they convert sunlight into energy that we can eat and use for fuel. And most importantly, they release the oxygen we breathe! As a botanist, you would study plants to figure out how all of this works. Botanists research on how to power vehicles, clean up contaminated areas, make crops grow better and create medicines.

    Landscaper

    Raking, mowing, planting and digging…all these things to create art out of plants space. Do you love making things beautiful? Then this is the job for you.

    Archaeologist

    Want to be Indiana Jones? Archaeologists get to investigate and preserve physical proof and clues of ancient cultures. This is how we comprehend and learn more about our links to the past.

    *BONUS

    Tree planting is a great way to make money for college. Reforestation is extremely important—especially in British Columbia, which produces large quantities of lumber—and involves hard work and a sense of importance.