While the significant and ongoing changes brought on by the digital revolution and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to major interest in tech and service-focused careers, perhaps just as important is the explosive growth of “green” jobs. As sustainability becomes a top priority across industries, environmental management is emerging as one of the most promising fields for early-career professionals. Ongoing public awareness, government and private sector interest, and investment in environmental science roles have led to an almost 40% increase in environmentally focused jobs globally. Organizations in the public and private sector are consistently hiring new team members to track, analyze and propose new, environmentally-sound programs.
If you’re looking for a rewarding career that not only has lots of growth potential but offers you a chance to help organizations and the world develop more sustainable practices, consider environmental management. In addition to being in-demand, environmental management skills are sought after in many industries, particularly the energy sector, agriculture and supply chain logistics. Here’s why so many are considering a job in environmental management, and what you can expect in the early stages of this career:
Why Do People Become Environmental Managers?
Regardless of industry, environmental managers are sought after for their analytical abilities and qualifications. The integration of sustainability into organizational planning and best practice is relatively new, but broader public awareness of risks to our environment and the importance of changing harmful practices has created a growing interest in green careers.
The rise of “green jobs” has also been so significant that many view acquiring these skills as a practical step into a sustainable career. The median salary for an environmental manager is above the national average, which speaks to the growing demand for qualified professionals as well as the level of investment organizations are willing to make.
What Education is Required for an Environmental Manager?
Given the highly analytical nature of the work and the high number of scientific and organizational practices in play, most organizations expect environmental managers to have a degree relevant to their work. Common majors include environmental science, environmental management, biology, chemistry or sustainability studies. Some roles may also favor candidates with coursework or experience in policy, statistics or technology.
As a relatively new discipline, the exact expectations of what an environmental management major should learn may change from region to region and industry to industry. Here are some of the broad topic areas you will typically cover during your studies:
Environmental Science
In these courses you will focus on the “hard” sciences such as chemistry and biology and learn to apply them to the environment. There may also be significant fieldwork, such as studying a local watershed, ecological preserve, or other site of interaction between people and their environment. This work will also devote significant time to understanding the risks of our current infrastructure and energy sector, as well as the impact of environmental disasters and pollution.
Policy and Law
You will also learn about state, national and international efforts to improve sustainability and preserve the environment, both through policy and funding as well as legal consequences and frameworks for pollution mitigation and prevention. As many of these efforts are ongoing and thus subject to change, you’ll also learn about the typical ways these policies are enacted as well as the degrees of success or failure past legal and political efforts have had.
Statistics and Technology
As an environmental manager, you’ll work with tools to measure, track, and analyze the environmental impact of your organization. You’ll also learn how to conduct long-term analysis, develop organizational impact reports, and assess the successes and shortcomings of sustainability best practices. Your technological literacy will also be improved as you learn how to assess and incorporate new technologies and sustainability products into your organization.
What Experience is Required to Become an Environmental Manager?
Before landing a full-time role, many aspiring environmental managers build experience through internships, research assistantships or fieldwork programs. These opportunities are often available through universities, nonprofits, consulting firms or government agencies. Through these early opportunities to gain experience, duties typically involve collecting and analyzing environmental data and assisting in preparing compliance reports. Duties may also include monitoring pollution levels or sustainability metrics and supporting community outreach or educational initiatives.
Hands-on experience is crucial for developing both your technical knowledge and professional network. Entry-level positions in environmental management vary depending on your area of interest and the sector.
Common Job Titles for Recent Graduates:
- Compliance Assistant
- Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Coordinator
- Environmental Technician
- Junior Environmental Consultant
- Sustainability Analyst
What Would the Early Years in Your Career Look Like?
Your first few years in environmental management are typically focused on building credibility, technical expertise and industry knowledge. You may work closely with senior environmental professionals to monitor environmental impact and report findings. You may also assist in designing or evaluating sustainability programs.
Depending on your employer, you could work in an office, labs or out in the field. Industries such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, logistics, government and consulting offer especially strong entry points for environmental professionals.
With a few years of experience, many environmental managers choose to specialize — whether in renewable energy, waste management, environmental policy or corporate sustainability. Others pursue certifications or graduate degrees to move into leadership or consulting roles.
The median salary for environmental managers tends to be above the national average, depending on location, and job growth is expected to continue as sustainability becomes more integrated into corporate and governmental strategies.
Start Your Environmental Management Journey at Columbia Southern University
Columbia Southern University’s environmental management degree programs are designed to work for everyone, offering you unparalleled flexibility.
Whether you are looking to start your first career or making a change, you can develop essential sustainability skills at a pace that works for you, setting you up to start a rewarding new career in a rapidly growing industry. If you’re curious to learn more about what CSU can offer, visit our degree programs page.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
Columbia Southern University does not guarantee that students or those who pursue these careers will earn the specific salaries listed.
