Environmental systems programs continue to increase in popularity. Why are many people choosing to pursue a career in this field? What are the benefits of an environmental systems graduate degree?
Time Outdoors
Some men and women dread the thought of begin stuck inside for hours on end. They want a job that allows them to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the world around them. The individual might spend their time determining how chemicals spread after a spill and how to mitigate the damage while another might conduct biological experiments in the field. Both tasks have the individual interacting with nature before heading back to their lab or office, and these serve as only two of countless examples of how a Ph.D. in Environmental systems graduate programs allows for opportunities outdoors.
Critical Thinking Skills
Pursuing a degree in environmental systems allows a person to build critical thinking skills. They encounter various problems affecting the environment and must explore different solutions to find the best course of action to rectify the situation. When doing so, they examine all angles of the problem and the different solutions to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each. The skills they learn when doing so benefit them in other areas of life.
Improve the Future
Individuals who pursue a degree in environmental systems know the work they do will ensure a better future. They help individuals reconnect with their surroundings and understand the world better. The work they do benefits the environment which helps mankind now and in the future.
For example, an environmental geologist works with officials to determine the proper placement of a landfill to ensure the groundwater supply isn't impacted. If the groundwater supply has already been contaminated, an environmental biotechnologist will be called in to identify the appropriate microbes to remediate the area and employ them. These are only two of countless tasks a person with an environmental systems degree may be asked to take on.
Travel
People who want to travel the world might find they have to limit their adventures due to money concerns. A person who pursues a degree in environmental systems finds they have the opportunity to travel for their work and see places they might otherwise miss. When traveling, these individuals do more than see the world. They also work to mitigate any damage caused by humans. They get the best of both worlds and feel good knowing their work will allow others to enjoy the planet as much as they do.
Promotes Respect for Nature
Individuals working in the environmental systems field help others learn to be kind to humans, animals, and plants. They teach people how to respect the world around them and ensure the survival of all living things. With the love that environmental systems specialists feel for the planet, they can encourage others to treat the world in a respectful way so the things they enjoy will be around for future generations to appreciate.
Expertise that Matters
Environmental issues continue to plague the world today. Climate change remains a major concern for many people, species continue to be declared extinct, and pollution impacts lives across the globe every day. To overcome these challenges, humans will need to make major changes in the way they live, work, and play. To do so, they must be aware of these environmental issues and how they affect their lives. With this information, it becomes easier for people to learn how to adapt to the changes or mitigate them. Environmental scientists communicate with others to provide them with a better understanding of the issues and what needs to be done in the future to overcome the challenges being experienced.
Increased Awareness
One reason many people choose to pursue a degree in environmental systems is they wish to know more about the world around them. For instance, they want to know what happens when they empty the water from their cooler and it flows down the parking lot to a lake. What does this water pick up as it makes the journey to the lake? How will the introduction of the water from the cooler affect the water and life in the lake? Will it have an impact on other parts of the planet?
Environmental scientists use the knowledge they gain in their daily activities to educate others about the impact of humans on the planet. This is of great importance, as knowledge is power. They share how all parts of the Earth work together and how this can be of help in developing solutions that provide humans with the basic items they need to survive and thrive.
Career Options
People who choose to take part in graduate programs in Environmental Systems have multiple career paths to choose from. One person may spend their time at a desk analyzing data collected by individuals in the field. Another person works in the field to collect plant and water samples for analysis, while some individuals working in environmental systems speak with individuals about disaster preparedness. Men and women in the field may also be asked to talk with lawmakers to help develop policy that will impact countless lives in a city, state, country, or hemisphere.
The environmental systems sector continues to grow at an astounding rate. Monster.com reports career options in this field are thriving. As more countries move toward a greener future, these employment opportunities will expand. Clean energy, ecological restoration, and corporate sustainability all have key roles in the future, and environmental systems specialists will be of great importance in studying these areas. Learn more about UC Merced graduate programs and see if this field is right for you.
About UC Merced Graduate Programs
The UC Merced Graduate Division functions to assist students from the first day they arrive on campus until they complete their degree and move into the field with a rewarding career. Staff members help individuals with their grad school applications, fellowship applications, qualifying exam materials, and more. The team remains available to assist students in any way they can as they pursue a graduate degree in their field of choice.
