Careers by Major - Environment

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Careers for graduates

There are many different career options available for Environment graduates. Below is a sample of types of positions that Environment graduates have gone on to.

Note: This is not an exhaustive list as there are many other careers available. Many positions require additional education or experience.

  • Environmental Epidemiologist*
  • Ecologist*
  • Environmental Auditor
  • Environmental Health Officer*
  • Water Quality Inspector
  • Environmental Quality Analyst
  • Environmental Risk Assessor
  • Water Treatment Plant Operator*
  • Environmental Consultant*
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Chemist
  • Air Quality Specialist
  • Soil Scientist
  • Urban Planner
  • Park Naturalist
  • Conservation Officer
  • Environmental Activist/Lobbyist
  • Fundraiser, Environmental Org's. *
  • GIS Analyst*
  • Remediation Specialist
  • Environmental Marketing Specialist*
  • Public Relations Specialist*
  • Recycling Manager
  • Hazardous Waste Material Manager
  • Waste and Water Resource Specialist
  • Eco-tourism Planner
  • Environmental Engineer*
  • Teacher/Professor*
  • Forester*
  • Botanist*
  • Environmental Reporter
  • Editor, Science Magazine*

Note: career profiles for many of the above jobs are available in the Career Centre. Those marked with an asterisk(*) can be viewed using Career Cruising, a Cdn. electronic career guide available in the Centre

Who employs environment graduates?

In Mississauga:

  • AstraZeneca
  • City of Mississauga
  • Cognis Canada Corporation
  • Glaxo Wellcome Canada
  • Golder Associates Ltd.
  • Hanson Brick
  • Maxxam Analytics Inc.
  • Novartis Consumer Health Canada Inc.
  • Pelmorex Inc.
  • PPG Canada Inc.
  • Purolator Courier Ltd.
  • Samuel Son & Co. Limited
  • and many others...

In Toronto:

  • ACE INA Insurance
  • AG Simpson Company Limited
  • Bayer Inc.
  • CCL Industries Inc.
  • CH2M Hill Canada Ltd.
  • City of Toronto
  • Environics Research Group Ltd.
  • ESL Korea
  • Genpharm Inc.
  • Giffels Associate Limited
  • Hydro One Inc.
  • Imperial Oil Ltd.
  • and many others...

Skills developed by environment majors

Research Skills:

  • Collect and preserve field organisms
  • Dissecting preserved specimens
  • Conduct journal research
  • Read and comprehend scientific journals
  • Evaluate the validity of research articles, scientific websites, etc.
  • Utilize logical reasoning to interpret results/data derived from scientific experimentation

Technical Skills:

  • Use computer programs including excel and PowerPoint to manipulate and display data
  • Accurately follow laboratory protocols with attention to detail
  • Maintain laboratory equipment
  • Comply with quality control procedures while conducting experiments
  • Demonstrate an understanding of safety regulations

Quantitative Skills:

  • Analyzing data for trends
  • Applying statistical packages to data to test for significance

Written Communication Skills:

  •  Document observations from experiments
  •  Organize research ideas and information into comprehensive reports
  •  Support scientific findings by writing literature reviews of journal articles
  •  Create graphs to visually represent data

Oral Communication Skills:

  • Use various visual aids including overhead projectors, computers and posters to conduct oral presentations on research findings
  • Interact professionally with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, technicians, students and professors
  • Adapt vocabulary to suite a wide variety of audiences including the general public and senior scientists

Organizational Skills:

  • Managed time effectively to balance demands of work, academic and social life
  • Successfully managed multiple priorities during peak times during the academic year

Sample job listings for graduating students/recent graduates

Below is a sample of the types of positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre for graduating students or recent graduates. To access full-time opportunities (for up to two years after graduation), you must first attend an orientation. Drop by or call us at 905-828-5451 for more information.

  • Junior Environmental Professional - O’Connor Associates Environmental Inc
  • Environmental Policy Analyst - Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development
  • GIS Specialist - Credit Valley Conservation Authority
  • Park Interpreter - Parks Canada
  • Environmental Consultant - Soil-Eng Limited
  • Environmental Advisor - Energy Probe Research Foundation
  • Project Supervisors - Canada World Youth
  • Renewable Energy Program Coordinator - Falls Brook Centre
  • Junior Emissions Technician - Bodycote Materials Testing
  • Water Treatment Associate - Nex Canada Inc.
  • Regional Nuclear Waste Dialogue Coordinator - Assembly of First Nations
  • Project Ecologist - Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
  • Research Technician - Credit Valley Conservation
  • Naturalization Crew Leader - Credit Valley Conservation Authority
  • Junior Regulatory Analyst - CANTOX Health Sciences International

How to get experience

Start early by seeking relevant summer, part-time and volunteer opportunities that will help you gain experience and develop the skills that employers want. Below is a sample of the types of temporary positions that have recently been posted with the Career Centre. To access the summer, part-time, temporary and volunteer postings, register with the Career Centre Online.

Join the Green Team!
The UTM Green Team is a group of students who care about the environment and volunteer or are employed by the U of T Mississauga Sustainability Coordinator. All paid positions are part of the Work-Study Program. There are a variety of positions for students in all academic programs and for all interests, from making posters, chalking slogans, planting trees or to running campaigns or project support for Green Team staff.

Past Green Team positions have included:

  • Web Site Coordinator & Data Manager
  • Ink Jet Coordinator
  • Sustainable Campus Research Assistant
  • Campus Environmental Audit Assistant
  • Alternative Transportation Coordinator
  • …and many more!

Summer/Part-time 

  • Stewardship Assistant
  • Mississauga Garden Council
  • Fisheries Habitat Technician
  • Credit Valley Conservation
  • Energy Auditor
  • Clean Air Foundation
  • Trainee Student
  • Inco Ltd. Environmental Control Group
  • Enviro-Webmaster
  • EcoSource Mississauga
  • Coordinator/Liaison Officer
  • Earth Day Canada
  • Science Educator
  • Ontario Science Centre

Internships

Work Study - previous postings:

  • Database Designer & Analyst
  • Environment Health Policy Research
  • Environment Assessment and Research
  • Web Site Coordinator & Data Manager
  • Waste Management Policy Analyst
  • UTM Recycling Coordinator
  • Environment Education Research/Liaison
  • Sustainable Campus Research Assistant

Volunteer

  • Program Assistant
  • Citizen’s Environment Watch
  • Learning Module Coordinator
  • Evergreen
  • Copy Writer/Editor
  • Citizens Environment Watch Program
  • Writer/Researcher
  • Earth Day Canada
  • Pride Week Recycling Volunteers EnerACT

Extern Job Shadowing Program - previous placements:

  •  Environmental Planner, Toronto Conservation Authority

Other ways to get involved

Joining on campus clubs and professional associations are a great way of gaining industry information and demonstrating your enthusiasm and dedication to your field of interest. On campus clubs include: Erindale Environmental Association (EEA), the Lets Talk Science Partnership Program and the Outdoors Club.

Professional Associations:

The Ontario Environment Industry Association
A not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to promoting the economic health of environmental businesses. Student members are provided with a forum through which to network with future employers.

Council of Outdoor Educators of Ontario

Environmental Education Ontario

Ontario Society for Environmental Education

Don't forget about U of T Mississauga alumni!

Check out our Alumni Profiles page, to read profiles of UTM alumni who have studied in this area, find out about their career path and how their experiences have affected their career direction.

Resources

Career Centre Library Resources:

  • EnviroEmployment Guidebook
  • Canadian Environmental Directory
  • Canadian Graduate Programs in Environmental Studies 2003/4
  • Ontario Environmental Industries: Hazardous Waste Management Companies
  • Career Cruising
  • Career Information Binders
  • The Canadian Student Employment Guide: Environment Degree
  • Clinical Laboratory Science Careers
  • Careers for Animal Lovers and Other Zoological Types
  • Careers for Nature Lovers and Other Outdoor Types

Web Links:

Career Centre Panel Packages:

The Career Centre Resource Library is located in DV 3094. For more information please visit us, call 905-828-5451 or e-mail: careers.utm@utoronto.ca

What's your next step? Take a look at our Sample Career Plan to see suggested steps that you can take towards developing your career-work search plan. Check our Events Calendar regularly for upcoming career related events (we offer several networking events and panels throughout the year). Watch for our Get Experience Fair (held annually in September), the Graduate and Professional School Fair (held annually in late September or early October), and the Summer Job Fair (held annually in January).