The University of Maryland Environmental Sciences & Policy major graduates have been successful in many different post-graduation fields. Environmental science is the science of the interactions between the physical, chemical and biological components of the environment, including their effects on all types of organisms but more often refers to human impact on the environment.
Using information from the University of Maryland graduation survey, we have compiled information about ENSP majors, such as where they work or go to graduate school post-graduation. Check out the topics below to learn more about planning for your career!
Review additional resources on the Feller Center's webpage.
Explore Career Paths
Start Planning
Related Work Titles
- Agricultural Scientist Ecologist
- Agricultural Technician
- Air/Water Quality Manager
- Air Pollution Analyst
- Architect
- Author
- Biochemist
- Biologist
- Biomedical Engineer
- Biotechnologist
- Chemical Technician
- Chemist
- City Planner
- Civil Engineer
- Conservation Agent
- Conservation Analyst EPA Inspector
- Conservationist
- Consumer Safety Inspector
- Earth Scientist
- Engineering Technician
- Environmental Analyst
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Engineering
- Environmental Health Spec.
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Lobbyist
- Environmental Nurse
- Environmental Physician
- Environmental Planner
- Environmental Scientist
- EPA Statistician
- Fisheries Conservationist
- Forester
- Forest Ranger
- Fundraiser
- Geographer
- Geologist
- Geophysicist
- Hazardous Waste Manager
- Hydrologist
- Industrial Hygienist
- Journalist
- Management Consultant
- Meteorologist
- Microbiologist
- Natural Resource Spec.
- Occupational Safety Spec.
- Oceanographer
- Ocean Technician
- Outdoor Trip Leader
- Park Ranger
- Pharmacy Technician
- Photographer
- Project Manager
- Public Health Veterinarian
- Range Manager
- Resource Economist
- Seismologist
- Soil Conservation Tech.
- Teacher
- Urban and Regional Planner
- Water/Wastewater Plant Operator
- Wildlife Manager
- Zoologist
- And many more!
Environmental Sci & Pol-Land Use
- LandDesign,Inc.- Designer
- Thought Delivery Systems, Inc- GIS Team Member
- Maryland Environmental Service- Environmental Specialist
- Teaching
- Journalism
- Tourism
- Law Regulation
- Compliance
- Hydrogeology
- Quality Control
- Risk Assessment
- Environmental Engineering
- Public and Environmental Health
- Industrial Hygiene
- Law
- Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Chemical Engineering
- Planning
- Compliance
- Biology
- Ecology
- Planning
- Geographic Information Systems
- Preserve Management
- Law
- Natural Resource Management
- Soil Conservation
- Land Acquisition
- Administration and Management
- Law Enforcement
- Recreation Planning
- Natural Resource Management
- Research
- Site Operations and Maintenance
- Ecotourism
- Direct Mail Merchandising
Anthropology, with its emphasis on the comparative study of humankind past and present, is well positioned to address the relationships between humans and the environment in the search for sustainable solutions to these challenges and uncertainties. This concentration provides students a firm grounding in anthropology, with additional coursework in the natural and social sciences, and prepares them to assist diverse communities, locally and internationally, as they adapt and transform in response to environmental change now and in the future. Read more.
Sample Job Titles
- Aae, Raft Guide
- Anne Arundel County OIT, GIS Analyst
- Change the Chamber, Fellow
- Clarks Elioak Farm, Farmer
- Environmental Finance Center, Project Assistant
- FGS Global, Communications Associate
- Lockheed Martin Systems, Engineer Associate
- Montgomery County, PA, Digital Media Coordinator
- Myrtle Woods Farm, LLC, Agricultural Assistant
- National Wildlife Federation, Water and Coastal Policy Fellow
- Opal Creek Ancient Forest Center, Outdoor School Guide
- Sayres and Associates, Corp Analyst
- Seconds Smoothies, Co-Owner
- The Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Business Process Improvement Consultant
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Program Analyst
Helpful Links for Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC): Who we are, Volunteer opportunities, Research Around the Globe,
Start Exploring Career Titles
Use the sample job and internship titles (mentioned above) to start exploring career paths. The links below provide a short overview of the positions. Review more career areas related to this major as well as tips to succeed.
- Career Exploration Toolkit, self-paced activities to provide greater career clarification
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, a career title dictionary
- O*NET Online, the nation's primary source of occupational information
- FOCUS2, explore career paths using self-assessment questionnaires
- Terrapins Connect, talk with professionals working in the field through UMD’s alumni network
- Federal positions by major, research career titles with the federal government related to your major
- Vault Career Guides, browse 100’s of industry guides to gain inside tips: Environmental Science and Conservation Jobs
Employer Spotlight: Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Resources: Career Planning
Need help finding a starting place for planning for your career? Below are a variety of online resources for careers in the Environmental fields.
- The Environmental News Network
- Environmental Health, UMD Industry 101
- Careers That Care
- Envirolink
- Cultural Resources
- Careers in Geographical Sciences- advice from alumni
- About.com: Environmental Resources
- Vault's Guide to Alternative Energy Jobs
- UMD Careers in Public Policy Panel
- 80+ Environmental Consulting Firms
Sustainability:
- Top 10 sustainability consulting firms
- Sustainability Careers start exploring job titles
- UMD Sustainability Career Panel
For students making career choices, this guide offers a wealth of helpful information and resources. Read about more career options on FirstHand's Industry Guides.
Market Skills Developed: ENSP Major
Skills lead to jobs. Which skills do you possess?
- Assess your skills, abilities, interests, and values and explore how they relate to career options.
- Skills inventory - get started identifying your unique assets.
ENSP majors have skills in…
- Summarize research findings
- Perceive patterns & structures
- Apply concepts
- Apply knowledge creatively
- Use laboratory equipment
- Technical writing
- Written & Oral Reporting
- Analyze data
- Evaluate data and results
- Gather information
- Assess risks
- Computer literacy
- Inform and explain
- Attention to details
- Applying logic to problems
- Utilizing formulas
- Define problems
- Precision and accuracy
Add to your skills with LinkedIn Learning's skill based videos.
Gain Experience
Sample list of opportunities: Start your search with these tips
- ENSP listserv or blog - list openings and advice for undergraduate students
- BSOS Blog - browse links on out of the classroom experiences
- Handshake - check out job and internship openings for off-campus positions for UMD students
- UMD National Scholarships Office - internship opportunities in DC
- Federal agencies- USAJobs lists current internship openings
- Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships- ORISE- STEM Internships and fellowships provide opportunities to conduct authentic research
ENSP Department suggests:
- Environmental Education
- Policy
- Summer Research (REU) Internships
- Marine & Coastal Management and Science Policy & Science Writing
- Earning credit for ENSP386
Prepare to apply: Tips to customize your resume, cover letter, etc.
Federal government internships - links to openings and application tips
Many federal agencies advertise positions on USAJOBs. They code positions related to the environment using the USAJOBs Occupational series below. Use the advance search section on USAJOBS to locate current openings in the series below.
Use the USAJOBs Occupational series: to help with your search in USAJOBs
- Environmental Engineering Series*** ........0819
- Environmental Health Technician Series** .....0698
- Environmental Protection Assistant Series.....0029
- Environmental Protection Specialist Series*.....0028
- Geography Series*....0150
Federal, State, & Local Government Career Paths
- Federal Government Jobs, list of federal government agencies and their hiring websites
- State and Local Government on the Net, directory provides websites of state agencies, city & county governments
- State of Maryland, position openings in Maryland
- Student jobs, with the federal government
- FirstHand Career Guide to Government Jobs
Political internships are no longer just for political science majors; the experience would benefit students within all majors. It is an excellent networking opportunity as well as hard evidence on a resume that the student can work in a fast paced environment. Students also build communication, written, and interpersonal skills.
Guide to Political Jobs and Internships
Sample Internship Opportunities
- White House Internships: Approximately 100 interns are chosen each spring, summer, and fall to participate in this program. The assignments given to an intern on any given day could include: conducting research, managing incoming inquiries, attending meetings, writing memos, and staffing events.
- Senate Personal office: Representative’s offices usually have 8-10 employees. Interns work on a variety of projects, usually feels more intimate or cramped. Reach out by state.
- Senate Committees: Most of the legislative action occurs in committees. Review the committees and express interest to the respective Senators.
- Leadership office: Republicans and Democrats of the House and Senate elect leaders to set agendas, organize parties, etc. that receives a separate staff. Very competitive to obtain an internship, because there is only a hand full of offices like this and the leaders are high profile.
You can also sign up for biweekly email alerts of available internships in the House of Representatives.
Review departmental listserv or blog - list openings and advice for undergraduate students
Start your research on campus:
- Research in ENSP
- Faculty Advisors in ENSP
- Undergraduate Research Opportunities in ENSP
- Research option on campus
Featured options:
Knowing what organizations or agencies interest you can help make the internship or job search easier. Check out some Environmental organizations below and explore their mission, their area of work and current openings.
Organizations
American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
Metropolitan Washington Council of Government
National Commission on Energy Policy
National Conference of State Legislatures
Pew Center on Global Climate Change
UN-HABITAT, United Nations Human Settlements Programme
Government Organizations
Maryland Department of Agriculture
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland Department of the Environment
Maryland Emergency Management Administration
Maryland Energy Administration
Maryland Public Services Commission
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
BSOS Students Gain Experience Through:
Build Connections
After researching career paths, consider talking with people working in your field of interest to gain inside information. The links below provide sample events where you may be able to meet professionals in your field of interest. Use these opportunities to learn more about your field of interest, establish new networking contacts, and informational interviews.
- Career Events for BSOS students
- University Career Center Event Calendar
- Terrapins Connect, is an online platform that allows students’ virtual access to UMD alumni who have volunteered to share industry specific information and as well as conduct resume reviews, among other things.
- Use LinkedIn to Locate Alumni & Recruiters
- Intern for a Day, matches students with professionals working in a field of interest to shadow for the day or offer informational interviews- offered in the fall and spring
- Get contact information: Employer & Industry notes for BSOS majors
Join a Professional Associations: provides training, information, and great resources for students and professionals. Examples:
