Environmental Sciences as career option
Ranjan K Baruah *
The entire world is concerned about change in weather pattern or in simple concern about climate change. The natural environment has degraded and new challenges have arisen in front of us and all living organism. We must think about solution and take action if we want to preserve and conserve our nature and planet earth. One of the areas of study which could help us in brining solution is studying environmental science.
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary academic field that integrates physical, biological and information sciences (including ecology, biology, physics, chemistry, plant science, zoology, oceanography, soil science, geology and physical geography, atmospheric science, etc) to the study of the environment, and the solution of environmental problems.
Environmental science emerged from the fields of natural history and medicine during the Enlightenment. Today it provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.
Students can become environmental scientist after completing courses related to environmental science. Environmental scientists conduct research to identify, control, or eliminate sources of pollutants or hazards affecting the environment or public health.
Environmental scientists also develop plans to prevent, control, or fix environmental problems like air pollution, water pollution or any other pollution. They may also on other areas apart from pollution. Many colleges and universities in India and abroad offer courses related to environmental sciences or related subjects.
Several institutes and colleges in India, these days offer both Undergraduate and Post-graduate programs in Environ-mental Science. One can go for B.Sc or a B.E degree in Environmental Science. The minimum qualification required for this is 12th standard with Science subjects. The course duration is of three years. After gradation one may go for the masters courses which is for two years and later interested and selected may got for Ph D .
Some Environmental Science Institutes in India are Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), School of Environmental Sciences, New Delhi; University of Delhi, New Delhi; GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, Uttar Pradesh; University of Mysore, Mysore; University of Pune, Pune, Gauhati University, etc .
There are deemed universities and research institutes in India and abroad which offer diplomas and advance diploma and certificate programme. All those who are interested to become environmental educator may join short term courses.
Jobs vary from place to place. Aspirants may join government sectors like different government research institutes, policy making organisations like ministries, etc. Many join teaching and become teachers and professors and schools and colleges.
Some joins media houses as there are focuses on environmental journalism in all over the world. One of the best career options which have been explored by many students studying environmental sciences is joining different nongovernmental organisations which are focussed on conservation and environmental activities.
Apart from working in own places of areas one may also explore international organisations for jobs and placement. Few international organisations which take people from environmental sciences include Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), etc. Student may also participate in youth activities organised by international organisations like UNEP every year or every alternate year.
Apart from mere qualification one must have skills to be employed globally or in own places. Strong communication skills apart from writing skills and other skills are always important for getting placement. As global community is concerned about climate change and its impact so it brings more opportunity for the students studying environmental sciences.
* Ranjan K Baruah wrote this article for The Sangai Express
Ranjan K Baruah is a career mentor and can be reached at at bkranjan(AT)gmail(DOT)com for any career related queries
This article was posted on April 22, 2019.
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