Environmental & Marine Science Careers
Environmental and marine science studies the interactions between the living world and its environment. It is a multi-disciplinary field, combining aspects of many disciplines, such as biology, geography, ecological economics, chemistry, environmental history, and sociology.
Here is a sampling of current positions held by environmental and marine science alumni:
- Ecologist or Restoration Ecologist
- Wildlife Biologist
- Fisheries Biologist
- Environmental Educator
- Marine Biologist
- Botanist
- Soil Scientist
- Forester
- Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist
- Landscape Designer
About the Coursework
Courses in environmental and marine science are designed to provide knowledge in areas of social structures, available natural resources, market forces, biodiversity status, landscape quality, cultural value, habitat and natural resource sustainability, and policy decisions.
Core courses equip all majors to analyze environmental issues from biological, economic and social/political points of view. All of these tools are necessary for addressing questions of human ecology. When students declare the environmental and marine science major, they will, with their academic adviser, choose an area of concentration that reflects their interests and career goals. Concentration options include ecology, and earth and climate science.
Possible courses include:
- General Ecology
- Entomology
- Genetics
- Agroecology
- Botany of Seed Plants
- Forest Resources
- Land Management
- Natural Resources Policy Seminar
For a full list of requirements and courses, refer to the course catalog.
A master’s degree program in environmental education is also available at Goshen College.
Possible Career Paths
Graduates in environmental and marine science may work in a wide variety of areas, such as sustainable agriculture, conservation biology, water/air quality analysis, environmental education, recovery of threatened or endangered species, and as consultants for local, regional, or national parties interested in sustainable development.
Potential employers include church and community agencies, local, state and federal government, private advocacy, stewardship and land trust organizations.
The list below provides several career options, but it is not exhaustive. Please note that some positions require additional education.
Careers in Environmental Science – Looking for a career in environmental science? This website covers numerous options for you to discover.
- Agricultural Scientist
- Air Pollution Analyst
- Biochemist
- Camp Administrator
- Chemical Technician
- City Planner
- Civil Engineer
- Conservation Analyst
- Conservationist
- Consumer Safety Inspector
- Earth Scientist
- Eco Architect
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Educator
- Environmental Journalist
- Environmental Lobbyist
- EPA Inspector
- Fisheries Conservationist
- Forester
- Geographer
- Geophysicist
- Hazardous Waste Manager
- Hydrologist
- Industrial Hygienist
- Meteorologist
- Naturalist
- Oceanographer
- Organic Farmer
- Outdoor Trip Leader
- Park Ranger
- Photographer
- Professor
- Public Health Advocate
- Resource Economist
- Seismologist
- Soil Conservation Technician
- Teacher
- Water/Wastewater Plant Operator
- Urban Conservationist
- Urban & Regional Planner
- Wildlife Manager
- Zoologist
Additional Resources
- EnvironmentalScience.org – Looking for a career in environmental science? This website covers numerous options for you to discover.
- MarineCareers.net – Looking for a marine science career?
- Ecology as a Career from the Ecological Society of America
- Conservation Career Ideas from Conservation International
- Careers in Forestry and Natural Resources from the National Science Foundation, or
- A very thorough guide to a Career in Forestry from Fire Science Online
- Careers in the Geosciences from the American Geological Institute
- Green Energy Career Guide
- From the Occupational Outlook Handbook: