BSc Environmental Science no jobs in this country

Anderidian

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science & yet cannot find any jobs using my degree. Instead I've had to settle for 'sales assistant'. Where in the world can I get a job! I would love to move to Scandinavia but don't have the language- any info on that would be super

aidoh

If there wasn't a freeze on public sector recruitment you could have tried the EPA or Dept. Environment.
Have you thought about postgrad research? It'd be a pretty good way to wait out a recession.

Whitehawk

Anderidian wrote: »

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science & yet cannot find any jobs using my degree. Instead I've had to settle for 'sales assistant'. Where in the world can I get a job! I would love to move to Scandinavia but don't have the language- any info on that would be super

I too have a degree in environmental science and ya no work around for now here in ireland,
you have a few options,

go for a intership with the epa ( and you can clam allowence while you there ) you will get great exp, one of my m8s from my class did that.

Leave ireland as you said,

go back to uni do master or what ever you want, (which is my choice and many others from my class are doing same thing) good environmental one in TCD

if you really cant stand that there are a few fas course that will help in the environmental science area - such as project magment, and then stuff like safe pass that you would need if you where doing work on a site. (this could all be done while doing a intership!!)

Crazyivan 1979

What kind of environmental work are you interested in? Consultancies usually offer a broad range of environmental services (planning, EIA's, EMS's, environmental sampling such as water, stack, occupational or noise) . Now might be the time to throw out a few CV's offering yourself as an intern, this could expose you to a wide area of environmental science. Not many consultancies are taking on full time paid work at the moment, as many of the industries that have taken a hit with the downturn are their clients and this has resulted in a knock on effect to the consultancies.

if you have any other kinds of skills or training you have would be worth pointing out to potential employers, such as website development or quality systems and knowledge of ISO's. Ireland is moving along to making consultancies, labs or anyone producing reports for IPPC licenced sites ISO 17025 complient by 2014. Consultantcies are going to have impliment quality systems to accomplish this and may need extra workers to this end.

In this country, I would say for the moment an internship is the way to go.

El Siglo

Whitehawk wrote: »

Anderidian wrote: »

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science & yet cannot find any jobs using my degree. Instead I've had to settle for 'sales assistant'. Where in the world can I get a job! I would love to move to Scandinavia but don't have the language- any info on that would be super

I too have a degree in environmental science and ya no work around for now here in ireland,
you have a few options,

go for a intership with the epa ( and you can clam allowence while you there ) you will get great exp, one of my m8s from my class did that.

Leave ireland as you said,

go back to uni do master or what ever you want, (which is my choice and many others from my class are doing same thing) good environmental one in TCD

if you really cant stand that there are a few fas course that will help in the environmental science area - such as project magment, and then stuff like safe pass that you would need if you where doing work on a site. (this could all be done while doing a intership!!)

I can vouch for that MSc in Trinity, it's a brilliant course! I can't recommend it enough!

I second also the points on doing an internship, a load of people I know are doing internships of some kind. The US and NZ appear to be very good for this by all accounts.

Tbh, further education or internships are probably your best bet at the moment.

Razleavy

Any time I looked for job availability in Env Sci I always found loads. Had been thinking of going from Civil to Env so used to have a look!

http://www.careerjet.ie/environmental-science-jobs.html

boru05

Whitehawk wrote: »

go back to uni do master or what ever you want, (which is my choice and many others from my class are doing same thing) good environmental one in TCD

El Siglo wrote: »

I can vouch for that MSc in Trinity, it's a brilliant course! I can't recommend it enough!

The TCD MSc is great, but don't do a masters in your primary degree subject. As an example, the TCD masters is essentially identical to the undergraduate BA (Mod) available in TCD.

If you are looking to do a MSc., try and identify what areas of env. sci. interest you and specialise from there rather than just repeating your undergrad.

Whitehawk

boru05 wrote: »

The TCD MSc is great, but don't do a masters in your primary degree subject. As an example, the TCD masters is essentially identical to the undergraduate BA (Mod) available in TCD.

If you are looking to do a MSc., try and identify what areas of env. sci. interest you and specialise from there rather than just repeating your undergrad.

all that depends on where you got you Environmental Science dagree from, i got mine in DCU, and i have to say it can be found lacking in some areas so that masters in TCD is great to over all incress your skills

Shazforgrub

Razleavy wrote: »

Any time I looked for job availability in Env Sci I always found loads. Had been thinking of going from Civil to Env so used to have a look!

http://www.careerjet.ie/environmental-science-jobs.html

Eh, if you look closely at that there is really only 2 jobs there actually looking for an environmental scientist, and although I didn't look in any great detail at them I strongly suspect that they are the same job posted twice!!

There is shag all jobs in environmental science in Ireland, many of the bigger consultancies like WYG, Golder, Malone O'Regan etc have laid off 100s of very experienced staff, so if you're just out of college or whatever you haven't a hope really.

If you check out seek.com.au you will find 100's of jobs for enviros, with new ones posted everyday. I recently moved to Australia after getting a job through the aforementioned site, loving it so far. I had been searching online for jobs in Canada, Australia and Asia just out of curiousity, and I put out my c.v. to a few different places on the off chance something my come up. I got offered an interview within a few weeks of putting c.v.s out, if you are considered moving over here to work feel free to p.m. me any questions.

modmuffin

http://www.noonan.ie/careers/environmental-inspector


Environmental Inspector

Environmental Service Provider is looking for reliable, highly motivated individuals with a degree in Environmental Science (or equivalent qualification) to fill the position of Environmental Inspector.

Specification:

This role involves conducting environmental inspections on behalf of the local authority. This position will include such tasks as inspecting, advising and training the commercial/hospitality sector to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The inspector may also be required to represent the regulatory authority in legal proceedings.

This role will be based in the Dublin area. Due to the nature of the role, flexibility is required with regard to working hours.

Role Criteria

The candidates must demonstrate that they meet the following criteria to be considered a suitable candidate for this position;


A third level qualification (NFQ level 7) in Environmental Science or equivalent and/or experience in a similar position/of similar work would be an advantage.


Proven knowledge of environmental regulations.


Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.


Be highly motivated, self starter.


Have the ability to collect, manage and interpret data.


Strong computer skills, all elements of Microsoft Office


Have good written and verbal communications skills


Full clean driving licence

allquestions

I have to agree with some of the positive points raised above.

1. TCD is a great place to do a M.Sc. in Environmental Science as it covers a wide range of areas in small modules so that you can have the overall feeling of the subject and focus your thesis on an area of particular interest to you.

2. I have always found that there is plenty work if you're willing to use the advantage of science being a wide and variable subject and think outside the box, or be willing to move for a while to get the experience. Don't focus too much on one particular aspect of it, but broaden your horizons as you never know where you'll end up, who you'll meet and what you'll get the opportunity to do.

Dellony25

Ah not much hope so for someone studying environmental science so!! Does anyone know of any good energy management related courses that I could do as a postgrad/ masters after I graduate??

210

A lot of Environmental science jobs within the country were within the public service or were engaged from consultants through or as a result of public body requirements ie through planning requirements etc. This has meant that the public service recruitment embargo pretty much overnight closed off opportunities for new entrants. However on the positive side there has been no change to the laws requiring this type of work to be done. Having cut back on numbers within the wider public service science community there is only so long the government and bodies such as the EPA can pretend that everything is ok. The long and short of it is that recruitment will have to start again probably sooner rather than later due to shortages in people with relevant and required scientific skills within the public service.

boost creep

Anderidian wrote: »

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science & yet cannot find any jobs using my degree. Instead I've had to settle for 'sales assistant'. Where in the world can I get a job! I would love to move to Scandinavia but don't have the language- any info on that would be super

OP have you tried looking at finnjobb.no for work in Scandinavia? there's all sorts of jobs on there, i'm sure you'll find something for an Environmental Scientist, i don't think the language will be a big barrier as most people in Scandinavia speak English, and they're likely to have people from all over the world working there in that profession...

mockshelp

I have environmental science in NUIG down on my CAO form. Not sure whether to change it to something else now when change of mind opens...

I was also thinking about accountancy because it would be easier to get a job in recession, but I have more interest in environmental sciences.

Will there will be jobs for environmental science grads in 4-5 years time?

I took a sort of "year out" because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I say sort of because I'm doing a PLC course in Business Administration. There's accounting in it and I realise I hate accounting now! What other jobs can you get related to business studies courses apart from accountancy?? Because I know I hate the accounting part anyway. Do all the other jobs related to business studies actually NEED a degree in business? I know 40% of graduate vacancies are open to graduates of any discipline...

Maybe I should just go for environmental science??? I like the life sciences and earth sciences.

Hopefully this year out wasn't a waste studying business! I see above that the environmental inspector job ad needed "Strong computer skills, all elements of Microsoft Office". Well I do all this stuff in the PLC so it probably isn't a waste after all! It will complement my environmental science degree! I'll have skills in business and environmental science.

El Siglo

mockshelp wrote: »

I have environmental science in NUIG down on my CAO form. Not sure whether to change it to something else now when change of mind opens...

I was also thinking about accountancy because it would be easier to get a job in recession, but I have more interest in environmental sciences.

No job is easier to get in a recession and accountancy is fucking awful.

Will there will be jobs for environmental science grads in 4-5 years time?

Yes, things will pick up. If you're starting college in 2012, a lot can happen between no and 2016/2017. You could end up going into research, anything is possible.

I took a sort of "year out" because I didn't know what I wanted to do. I say sort of because I'm doing a PLC course in Business Administration. There's accounting in it and I realise I hate accounting now! What other jobs can you get related to business studies courses apart from accountancy?? Because I know I hate the accounting part anyway. Do all the other jobs related to business studies actually NEED a degree in business? I know 40% of graduate vacancies are open to graduates of any discipline...

Yes, there are a lot of unemployed graduates out there so getting a degree is more important than ever.

Maybe I should just go for environmental science??? I like the life sciences and earth sciences.

It's definitely worth doing. I would look into the earth sciences as well (it's a mixture of Geography and Geology), definitely worth checking out as well.

Hopefully this year out wasn't a waste studying business! I see above that the environmental inspector job ad needed "Strong computer skills, all elements of Microsoft Office". Well I do all this stuff in the PLC so it probably isn't a waste after all! It will complement my environmental science degree! I'll have skills in business and environmental science.

There are a lot of skills to be got out of any course. Don't worry about jobs yet, far to early to get wrapped up in that kind of thing especially with the news etc... Just do what you're interested that's the main thing, because you'll never do well at something if you hate it and I can tell you now you'll never hate earth and environmental sciences, not by a long shot!

mockshelp

Hi El Siglo,

Thanks so much for the detailed response. It was very reassuring.

I was thinking about the Earth and Ocean science one too because you can still do zoology in year 2. But I realise if I start with environmental science it would be possible to change to EOS by 2nd year. (It has all the same modules) I know this is possible because I saw this: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055796517 Whereas if I start in EOS I can't change to environmental. And in the environmental science one in 1st year there is a module "introduction to earth and ocean science" so if I love that module I can switch to the EOS degree.

I know Earth science is geology and study of the earth and environmental sci is more about human impact - so topics such as global warming, pollution, climate change, renewable energy would be in this one. I know Ireland will get big into renewable energy resources and environmental science degree would be more relevant to make it in this industry. Would it matter which degree you have?

But I hear EOS can lead into high paying jobs in oil and gas industries? But are these jobs in Ireland? (Which I couldn't get into if I have environmental sci degree.) (I know with any degrees I'd need to do a masters to get any job related to my degree but I want to figure out what undergrad degree to do first!)

There is differences in career opportunities. I thought environmental sci would have more career options as its more broad? But perhaps not. The only thing that scares me about EOS is that I heard that the jobs are mainly mineral exploration and that would require going abroad. Because I know one person who did geology in Trinity and she's moved to Australia to accept a job mining for gold! Her parents were really sad about her leaving for good. She only comes home at holidays.

I'd like to stay in Ireland. Wouldn't mind going abroad for a few years but wouldn't want it permanent.

Thanks for your advice El Siglo.

allquestions

El Siglo wrote: »

No job is easier to get in a recession and accountancy is fucking awful.

There are a lot of skills to be got out of any course. Don't worry about jobs yet, far to early to get wrapped up in that kind of thing especially with the news etc... Just do what you're interested that's the main thing

I'll agree whole heartedly with El Siglo... it doesn't matter as much about trying to learn something that you think there might be jobs in now, as it is to study something you enjoy and love. Liking something makes a huge difference to how much you learn and how much you get out of it compared to hating to get out of bed for something you detest.

Stick with science if that's your interest, you'll always find a wee niche or something along that path that you'll be able to do. Don't worry about what's going to come down the line for a few years yet... if you're willing to adapt and try different aspects of science, there's no reason that you should be stuck for work.

Learn all you can, enjoy your experiences, take every opportunity going and get any practical experience you can; make contacts and you never know when a little bit of information or a person you've met before will crop up again.

I'd rather do something I loved that be stuck in something I hate!

As for the query about Env Sci v's EOS, only you can answer that... which would you enjoy more? If first year is more or less common modules... take the one where you have the option and see what you think in a years time. Leave your options open to give yourself a chance to change... you'll not know what you like and dislike until you start trying it.

Good luck!

El Siglo

mockshelp wrote: »

Hi El Siglo,

Thanks so much for the detailed response. It was very reassuring.

I was thinking about the Earth and Ocean science one too because you can still do zoology in year 2. But I realise if I start with environmental science it would be possible to change to EOS by 2nd year. (It has all the same modules) I know this is possible because I saw this: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055796517 Whereas if I start in EOS I can't change to environmental. And in the environmental science one in 1st year there is a module "introduction to earth and ocean science" so if I love that module I can switch to the EOS degree.

Fair enough, at least there's wiggle room at the start which is exactly what you need when you start any degree.

I know Earth science is geology and study of the earth and environmental sci is more about human impact - so topics such as global warming, pollution, climate change, renewable energy would be in this one. I know Ireland will get big into renewable energy resources and environmental science degree would be more relevant to make it in this industry. Would it matter which degree you have?

Earth science is Geology with a soft 'g' (i.e. I don't think they do igneous petrology or mental amounts of structural and you do some quaternary stuff which is the period most 'pure' geologists fall asleep in!). However, environmental sciences concentrates on processes the relationship between the biotic and abiotic and it doesn't necessarily focus on human impact but humans are invariably part of the environment. Both courses would mutually complement one another and I doubt there's much to distinguish one from the other apart from final year dissertations and the odd few modules.

It really doesn't matter what degree you do. I did a BA (yes, an arts degree in UCD) in Geography, went to TCD and did an MSc in Environmental Sciences, now doing a PhD in Sedimentology (Holocene sedimentary provenance of the palaeo-gangetic estuarine-delta system) which has as much to do with geography and environmental science as cake eating does with rugby (i.e. couldn't be any more different). So no matter what degree you do, you'll be grand and there are jobs out there.

But I hear EOS can lead into high paying jobs in oil and gas industries? But are these jobs in Ireland? (Which I couldn't get into if I have environmental sci degree.) (I know with any degrees I'd need to do a masters to get any job related to my degree but I want to figure out what undergrad degree to do first!)

I'm going to tell you now, it doesn't matter what degree you do it will be experience that counts, especially the resource jobs. However, there are those kind of jobs in Ireland, in fact if you've watched the news there's the potential of 2,000 new jobs in Leitrim with the fracking of the Siluran shale deposit there for gas. That's just one basin, we haven't even started on the Rockall trough (fucking massive so it is) or the Porcupine basin. So there will be over the next 20 or 30 years a load of jobs in resource exploration as these would have been trickier costlier places in the past to drill for gas but are now coming into attention. In fact UCC have launched a new MSc in mineral extraction etc... precisely because there's a demand.

There is differences in career opportunities. I thought environmental sci would have more career options as its more broad? But perhaps not. The only thing that scares me about EOS is that I heard that the jobs are mainly mineral exploration and that would require going abroad. Because I know one person who did geology in Trinity and she's moved to Australia to accept a job mining for gold! Her parents were really sad about her leaving for good. She only comes home at holidays.

Sad to say that you just have to go where the work is, as bad as it is to leave Ireland, being on the dole is much worse. There are jobs related to mining in Europe such as remediation of existing mines. One of the big problems is that mines generate a lot of waste and it's pretty nasty stuff so for the last 20 or so years there's been more emphasis placed on dealing with this kind of stuff especially with EU laws, there's jobs out there in that I think.

I'd like to stay in Ireland. Wouldn't mind going abroad for a few years but wouldn't want it permanent.

If you do a degree here, I would consider in final year looking into a PhD if you're still interested in the earth and environment stuff. For example, one of the biggest projects being run by the GSI (Geological Survey of Ireland) and GSNI (Geological Survey of Northern Ireland) is the TELLUS border project (looking at land resources of the border counties, Sligo and Leitrim), this will take another 2 years of data collection and about 10 years of analysis and ground-truthing so it's definitely something to keep an eye on for research opportunities. A PhD is a funded research course and it's a great way of getting more skills and a load of experience (practical and academic).

Thanks for your advice El Siglo.

As I've said before and I'll say it again, don't worry about jobs at the minute, worry about getting on the course. I did my course at a time when town planning was a guaranteed job with starting pay at €36,000 for a junior planner. Now, you can't even get work experience as a planner in Ireland. So never mind the economy and do what you enjoy and stick with it.

mockshelp

Whoa thanks again El Siglo for the detailed response. Very helpful information!

mockshelp

This is weird. I was actually in UCD doing Arts (one of my subjects geography) this year but dropped out before 1st October. I wasn't sure about the Arts degree and felt I should've done one of the science degrees. The internet said there are very few jobs related to an arts degree apart from teaching and there are no jobs in teaching (and I didn't really want to be a teacher to be honest) so made a hasty decision to drop out before the free fees deadline. Anyways at least I'm back in my home town and got onto a PLC course in my local further education college.

I didn't know you could go into a masters in environmental science with an arts degree in geography. Do they require certain courses to be accepted into it? Can you go straight into the masters after a bachelor degree?

If I stayed I could have done 3 year arts + 1 year master = 4 years.
Now it looks like 1 year out + 4 year environ science course + 1 year master = 6 years.

Oh well I'll be 2 years slower getting the masters! Can't change the past just got to move on with the future now! I think I needed a year out to decide anyway. I have a clean sheet now to choose whatever I want and my decisions can change a lot in a year.

Thanks again El Siglo for your help and advice. I've learned a lot from you!

El Siglo

mockshelp wrote: »

This is weird. I was actually in UCD doing Arts (one of my subjects geography) this year but dropped out before 1st October. I wasn't sure about the Arts degree and felt I should've done one of the science degrees. The internet said there are very few jobs related to an arts degree apart from teaching and there are no jobs in teaching (and I didn't really want to be a teacher to be honest) so made a hasty decision to drop out before the free fees deadline. Anyways at least I'm back in my home town and got onto a PLC course in my local further education college.

When they say "arts" people usually mean English and History etc... which are the "true" arts subjects. Geography on the other hand can be a science and in fact it is treated as a science subject in most UK universities and I think TCD accepts it as a science subject. It's actually an anomaly that Geography is done through arts in the Republic as in most countries it's always lumped in with Environmental and Earth sciences (at least in Trinity it is anyway). UCD geography however is getting better for the physical geography and even though it's pretty small there is one lecturer in particular who is building a strong physical geography unit, which is what that place needs desperately considering all they do is fucking urban studies and town planning bollocks.

I didn't know you could go into a masters in environmental science with an arts degree in geography. Do they require certain courses to be accepted into it? Can you go straight into the masters after a bachelor degree?

I think I did something like 3 modules of physical geography in my entire three years so no, they didn't require any particular modules just the strong desire in the application to learn more about the natural environment and that I had an aptitude for it. What you do your undergrad really matters little in the masters, it was a steep learning curve for us all, including the science graduates the engineers etc... on my MSc course.

If I stayed I could have done 3 year arts + 1 year master = 4 years.
Now it looks like 1 year out + 4 year environ science course + 1 year master = 6 years.

Oh well I'll be 2 years slower getting the masters! Can't change the past just got to move on with the future now! I think I needed a year out to decide anyway. I have a clean sheet now to choose whatever I want and my decisions can change a lot in a year.

Is there a rush on to get qualified? No, take your time. Stay in college as long as possible. I don't mean that in terms of drinking and sessions etc... I mean that you'll learn and assimilate a lot more in that time period than you would have in a rushed arts degree. Also, you'll gain valuable experience that will stand to you. I've been in college now going on 6 years even with the 3 years BA and 1 year MSc, I won't be finished for a while to come. It takes time but it's worth it in the end. If I was to do it again, I probably would have done a BSc in Earth/Environmental Science or a BA (Mod) in Geography and Geology but it would have still led to the same conclusion; doing research in sedimentology.

Thanks again El Siglo for your help and advice. I've learned a lot from you!

No worries, feel free to give me a shout anytime on this thing!

cagefan

sorry to be bearer of bad news but their are zero jobs in env sci at the mo and the gov have zero interest in promoting it is depsite all their talk so I dont see it changing much in next few years.

Your career options are pretty much this.

Work as an environmental officer for a pharm or other company mangaing IPPC licence
Work for a consultant
Work for a local authority
Work or semi state
Research

Now their is a recuritment embargo lasting until 2016(more or less) and I dont see them hiring a significant amount of staff the minute it is dropped so in my opinion that rules out local authority and semi state.

Consultants make their money in regards construction such as EIA's but have other options such as working for semi-states. However, lots of competition for jobs.

Research - A great option if you can get it but funding is meant to very tight for next couple of years meaning it will be very competitive again for any opportunities

The best option would probably be in working as an environmental officer for a pharm company or other manufacturing agency but seeing as all other options are closed or hard to get you can expect lots of competiton for very few posts.

I dont mean to contradict anybody or anything but I recently graduated with a env sci degree and have msc in climate change and to be honest their is nothing. I wish I had gone into physics or maths or something like that. Sorry to be negative but it might be worthwhile listening to someone in my situation as most of the people I graduated with are working in shops or unrelated fields

I havent read through all posts just first one or two so apologies if post is a bit disjointed with the rest of thread

runawaybishop

My wife has a masters and is unable to find work (has been looking for 2+ years). There are a couple of positions in Dublin the odd time but that's about it. She is constantly raving about the amount and quality of positions in aus/NZ.

Absolute Zero

El Siglo wrote: »

When they say "arts" people usually mean English and History etc... which are the "true" arts subjects. Geography on the other hand can be a science and in fact it is treated as a science subject in most UK universities and I think TCD accepts it as a science subject. It's actually an anomaly that Geography is done through arts in the Republic as in most countries it's always lumped in with Environmental and Earth sciences (at least in Trinity it is anyway). UCD geography however is getting better for the physical geography and even though it's pretty small there is one lecturer in particular who is building a strong physical geography unit, which is what that place needs desperately considering all they do is fucking urban studies and town planning bollocks.



I think I did something like 3 modules of physical geography in my entire three years so no, they didn't require any particular modules just the strong desire in the application to learn more about the natural environment and that I had an aptitude for it. What you do your undergrad really matters little in the masters, it was a steep learning curve for us all, including the science graduates the engineers etc... on my MSc course.



Is there a rush on to get qualified? No, take your time. Stay in college as long as possible. I don't mean that in terms of drinking and sessions etc... I mean that you'll learn and assimilate a lot more in that time period than you would have in a rushed arts degree. Also, you'll gain valuable experience that will stand to you. I've been in college now going on 6 years even with the 3 years BA and 1 year MSc, I won't be finished for a while to come. It takes time but it's worth it in the end. If I was to do it again, I probably would have done a BSc in Earth/Environmental Science or a BA (Mod) in Geography and Geology but it would have still led to the same conclusion; doing research in sedimentology.



No worries, feel free to give me a shout anytime on this thing!

Hey Siglo,

Not sure if you remember me, but I posted about doing geography a year ago through the BA and was worried about jobs afterwards and not doing an earth science degree etc , and you replied with some deadly info which really helped me. Now I would like to offer some advice (Take it as you wish lol :P )



Just in Repsonse to Mockshelp, and about the BA in GEO. Im doing the Single honours Geography programme in NUI Maynooth, and luckily enough this department does offer quite alot of physical geography modules (enough to build almost my entire degree around physical geography (Bar the odd ****e, yet interesting human geo module). Modules offered are the likes of biogeography, climatology, climate studies in the polar regions, hydrology and water resources. third year here offers more pratical modules such as remote sensing, key skills in physical geo, GIS module and thesis as-well as fluvial geomorph and a few more. The point im making, and that EL siglo has made many times before is that the BA will introduce you to all of these different aspects of geography and the environment, and then you can build on them in postgrad, exactly like the MSC in environmental science in Trinity.

As El-siglo stated, stay in college for as long as you can because there are no jobs out there at the moment in the environmental sector in Ireland, and its the same all over the board (maybe apart from IT). When you start your undergrad Mockshelp, try to do an Erasmus or something like that, even for one semester. The university of Utrecht have a geoscience department which is the biggest in Holland. I am currently applying to study there next year, and I hope to take mostly geoscience modules such as paleoclimatology, geochemical cycles, and hydrology etc. they also offer environmental science modules. Once I can get over the initial shock of doing some proper science again I think I can handle it, I mean if geography students can do the enviro sci msc in Trinity then surely we can handle the undergrad modules in earth sciences..

The way I see it, the undergrad in Maynooth introduced me to these concepts and Utrecht will be an amazing way to expand on them in a more practical context (hopefully leading to direct entry to a 2 year master there when im done in Maynooth, but I wont look that far ahead yet :P). So I would definatly reccommend something like that, Because as El-Siglo stated, try and stay in college for as long as you can because the economy is so dire here, and if you dont want to go to another country to find work then staying in college to try and wait out this economy is the next best thing. :cool:

froog

Hi all

I'm an environmental science graduate and i wouldn't dissuade anyone from doing it. I've been lucky, got a job in a lab straight after college and then moved to a multinational four years ago in a broad env role. the range of work you can do is probably better than many other degrees, i've done lab work, employee engagement stuff, data analysis, compliance, legislation, energy reduction projects, the list is endless. times are tough for new graduates now no doubt, but it will get better. as well as state agencies and consultancies, a a big employer in this sector is production sites, all food/drink/chemical/construction type sites need an environmental person.

i second the internship option mentioned above, this is the best site for them -

www.ecocareers.ie

you get an extra 50 quid a week on top of your dole and some great experience.

so hang in there graduates!

mockshelp

Hi froog,

Thanks for your response. I really appreciate that you took the time to tell of your experience. Nice to hear positives. I think that the environment area will always be of great importance now and in the future so no doubt its a great degree to have and you could work anywhere in the world and help the environment!

I'm going to do the degree in NUIG next year. It will be 4 years before I graduate so I'll just go for it! And probably do a masters in something after that. I'm interested in it and things should pick up. I like that the work you are qualified to do is so broad also.

Thanks for the website too. So it looks like there is jobs in Ireland. It's just hard to find them. The internet is great!

sealgaire

Anderidian wrote: »

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science & yet cannot find any jobs using my degree. Instead I've had to settle for 'sales assistant'. Where in the world can I get a job! I would love to move to Scandinavia but don't have the language- any info on that would be super

You only realised now there are no jobs????

Sure learn a Scandinavian language! The irish have a complex when it comes to learning languages . ..

froog

i'd also stress that it isn't just the environmental sector that's hit bad, most every sector is hit bad. when i finished college 5 years ago, there was plenty of jobs around for my class. when the economy picks up, this will be the case again, and even more so as we invest more in the "green economy" i have no doubt.

aoife1991

Oh man, I'm doing environmental science and sustainable technology now in college and I don't know what to make of this thread! I really don't love my degree choice as it's very technical and there's a lot of measurement/calibration, physics and math to it that I hate! Would I be better off doing a more biological/geological degree after this degree or going into a master's degree? Any info welcome!

sorry for dragging back up an oldish thread!!

El Siglo

aoife1991 wrote: »

Oh man, I'm doing environmental science and sustainable technology now in college and I don't know what to make of this thread! I really don't love my degree choice as it's very technical and there's a lot of measurement/calibration, physics and math to it that I hate! Would I be better off doing a more biological/geological degree after this degree or going into a master's degree? Any info welcome!

sorry for dragging back up an oldish thread!!

At the end of the day the maths will come back to haunt you when you're doing any natural or physical science. Nearly everything in Geology and biology relies on statistical analyses as well (particle size, time series analysis, quantitative facies modelling, diversity indices, transfer functions etc...). If lab work is about fastidiousness then analysis of the data is about 'how much information can I get out of these data?'. It'll take time and a lot of hard work but it's worth it at the end, just keep plugging away at it. I would suggest downloading a copy of PAST and a good stats book. Also if you're not good at the physics stuff then youtube MIT and there does be a set of lectures online which talk about the foundation of most of the techniques you would use (I did that first when I wanted to learn about XRD and the lectures for that proved invaluable), here's an example of what I'm talking about:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdBoRHRRG1A

Just keep plugging away at it, it'll all make sense eventually!:pac:

aoife1991

El Siglo wrote: »

Just keep plugging away at it, it'll all make sense eventually!:pac:

Here's hoping haha! thanks for your help

01mirelly

Ed history 1st yr science maths geology experimental physics and biol.
Ba and ma in geography

I am very much into physical sciences, earth and climate etc these areas interest me most. I kick my self now saying was I right to give up science after 1st year for
Arts degree. Lately I have a feeling that I want to do further study but at the same time I need to get into the working world. I have been unsuccessful in the job hunt.

Further study options I have been searching are in earth science, environmental science, climate change possible phd aswell but feel I need a specified area of study/ interest to work on Proir to the phd option as my masters in geography was very general.

My main priority is work!
Courses I have been searching esp in the area of physical sciences like the msc in environmental science (tcd), msc in climate change (muim) but I fear if I go for it I will wind up in the same position and even more in debt.


I have spent weeks searching for jobs in any relation to my qualifications and there is nothing in the line of work. I do have if it's meant to be its meant to be attitude..... Maybe I am wrong and should ditch it at this stage. I dnt know?

I would like some thoughts on this issue!

Jayjay80

oh man...dilemma, just applied for tcd MSc enviro yday and got accepted today. was already accepted into MA society and space in nuim. Did a good mix of human and phys geog in my BA. Did a good thesis and was aiming for PhD studies. panicked at the last second and applied for tcd thinkin it would qualify me for something more than the MA if the PhD funding didnt work out...doesnt sound like a great idea after reading this thread. Have small kids and dont want to emigrate. Also we are smashed so this really is my last chance to make the right decision!

El Siglo

Jayjay80 wrote: »

oh man...dilemma, just applied for tcd MSc enviro yday and got accepted today. was already accepted into MA society and space in nuim. Did a good mix of human and phys geog in my BA. Did a good thesis and was aiming for PhD studies. panicked at the last second and applied for tcd thinkin it would qualify me for something more than the MA if the PhD funding didnt work out...doesnt sound like a great idea after reading this thread. Have small kids and dont want to emigrate. Also we are smashed so this really is my last chance to make the right decision!

Probably better to go with the MSc than the MA, you'll get good experience and learn a lot of techniques as well as doing some good research. It's just the economy at the moment and the way things are here. The UK is pretty good in terms of environmental jobs, check out the oil careers website (http://www.oilcareers.com).

NaughtyAtNite

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BjtSHBSY

Shazforgrub wrote: »

Eh, if you look closely at that there is really only 2 jobs there actually looking for an environmental scientist, and although I didn't look in any great detail at them I strongly suspect that they are the same job posted twice!!

There is shag all jobs in environmental science in Ireland, many of the bigger consultancies like WYG, Golder, Malone O'Regan etc have laid off 100s of very experienced staff, so if you're just out of college or whatever you haven't a hope really.

If you check out seek.com.au you will find 100's of jobs for enviros, with new ones posted everyday. I recently moved to Australia after getting a job through the aforementioned site, loving it so far. I had been searching online for jobs in Canada, Australia and Asia just out of curiousity, and I put out my c.v. to a few different places on the off chance something my come up. I got offered an interview within a few weeks of putting c.v.s out, if you are considered moving over here to work feel free to p.m. me any questions.

Considering doing this bloody course, but the vid isn't really that helpful at where it goes to. It's more of a practical approach on sustainability. What do you think, is it better at going towards jobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BjtSHBSY

aoife1991

NaughtyAtNite wrote: »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BjtSHBSY

Considering doing this bloody course, but the vid isn't really that helpful at where it goes to. It's more of a practical approach on sustainability. What do you think, is it better at going towards jobs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8e8BjtSHBSY

Doing this course at the min, can't comment on jobs obviously still in college, but it seems to be aiming at jobs in labs of environmental management agencies or environmental monitoring units. The course is in UCC allows you to specialize after first year, maybe that might be more appropriate to the jobs market. There aren't any jobs in Ireland at the moment, so stay in college as long as you can. This degree course was started in 2010 so it's in its infancy and doesn't have any graduates from it yet.

lstevo

Hi
I have a degree in Computer Science and was wondering if it would be worth my while doing the M.Sc in environmental science. I've always been interested in this field but don't know if it would be beneficial? Any info or advise would be much appreciated?

NoCrackHaving

lstevo wrote: »

Hi
I have a degree in Computer Science and was wondering if it would be worth my while doing the M.Sc in environmental science. I've always been interested in this field but don't know if it would be beneficial? Any info or advise would be much appreciated?

Possibly, if you have an end route in sight. There's always a lot of work in the UK (where I'm based) for environmental modelling and programming, particularly with the research councils and the Met Office so the computer science would be ideal for these sort of jobs. There's also GIS programming and modelling which is always crying out for computer scientist for the really hard programming. Is it worth doing a Masters? Possibly, as it may give you that extra edge over other candidates who have never shown interest in Environmental Science before.

lstevo

Thanks for the reply.

But really i don't want to do modelling or really any programming.
I'd like to learn all the usual stuff environmental science entails.
I'm just wondering if people have done this sort of thing before?
That is move over from a completely different discipline and if
they did was it worth while?

froog

lstevo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

But really i don't want to do modelling or really any programming.
I'd like to learn all the usual stuff environmental science entails.
I'm just wondering if people have done this sort of thing before?
That is move over from a completely different discipline and if
they did was it worth while?

I'm not 100% sure you would be allowed do that masters with no science background (by science I mean chem, physics, biology). if you were you would struggle. there's a lot of hard analytical chemistry stuff there, way beyond anything you might have done in leaving cert, assuming you did chemistry in leaving? some of the biology can be challenging with no experience as well to be honest. even the undergraduate env science degrees have huge dropout rates from people unprepared for it.

I would suggest starting with a diploma or cert.

NoCrackHaving

lstevo wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

But really i don't want to do modelling or really any programming.
I'd like to learn all the usual stuff environmental science entails.
I'm just wondering if people have done this sort of thing before?
That is move over from a completely different discipline and if
they did was it worth while?

Well I did a BA in Geography and Environmental Planning before an MSc in Environmental Science which, while related didn't really help. I found the shift very tough, doable but very tough so be prepared to be putting in a huge amount of hours studying. I loved studying it but the step up from undergrad to postgrad is always tough and doing a new subject makes it harder but definately go for it if you have the motivation.


Jobs wise, forget Ireland, very small market even in boom times, the UK on the other hand is a lot better but still tough. Environmental consultancy is a relatively small sector and grad schemes don't really exist, it's usually one grad job and maybe 25-40 applicants so you really need to stand out. So you need to take as many opportunities for internships, research and environmental volunteering as possible. Also avoid any policy modules-hard science is the way forward-in terms of interest, work and salary.

Finally, avoiding modelling is going to be tough, with the exception of conservation work it crops up a lot-programes like ArcGIS, MatLab, AutoCad etc. are all things you're going to come across.

lstevo

Thanks for all that information and advice guys. Think I might follow up that environmental modelling after all.

The_Captain

NoCrackHaving wrote: »

Well I did a BA in Geography and Environmental Planning before an MSc in Environmental Science which, while related didn't really help. I found the shift very tough, doable but very tough so be prepared to be putting in a huge amount of hours studying. I loved studying it but the step up from undergrad to postgrad is always tough and doing a new subject makes it harder but definately go for it if you have the motivation.


Jobs wise, forget Ireland, very small market even in boom times, the UK on the other hand is a lot better but still tough. Environmental consultancy is a relatively small sector and grad schemes don't really exist, it's usually one grad job and maybe 25-40 applicants so you really need to stand out. So you need to take as many opportunities for internships, research and environmental volunteering as possible. Also avoid any policy modules-hard science is the way forward-in terms of interest, work and salary.

Finally, avoiding modelling is going to be tough, with the exception of conservation work it crops up a lot-programes like ArcGIS, MatLab, AutoCad etc. are all things you're going to come across.

I would absolutely disagree with that, knowing the legislation is a huge part of the job.
Day-to-day, it's far more important to know what parameters and testing is required in stuff like SI 180 or SI 278 than knowing how to calculate pressure using Boyles Law

NoCrackHaving

The_Captain wrote: »

I would absolutely disagree with that, knowing the legislation is a huge part of the job.
Day-to-day, it's far more important to know what parameters and testing is required in stuff like SI 180 or SI 278 than knowing how to calculate pressure using Boyles Law

However, learning legislation on the job is a lot easier than via a degree. There's no policy I learnt in university that I didn't have to completely re-learn in the workplace anyway.

The_Captain

NoCrackHaving wrote: »

However, learning legislation on the job is a lot easier than via a degree. There's no policy I learnt in university that I didn't have to completely re-learn in the workplace anyway.

It's a lot easier to get a job if you have a good knowledge of the legislation. Most job specs will have something on there about knowing relevant polices and virtually no focus on the hard science end.
Fair enough, there's plenty of maths involved if you're doing hydrogeology, but it's easier to learn the formulas and calculations you need on the job than going through college.

In fact, most of the difficult calculations now can be done automatically on your PC. Plenty of websites out there can calculate Mogden Formulas or Langelier Indices once you enter the data.

Consequently, most employers (IMO) aren't overly bothered about the hard science of it, and having no background in policies and legislation is a lot more damaging to your career progression

NoCrackHaving

The_Captain wrote: »

It's a lot easier to get a job if you have a good knowledge of the legislation. Most job specs will have something on there about knowing relevant polices and virtually no focus on the hard science end.
Fair enough, there's plenty of maths involved if you're doing hydrogeology, but it's easier to learn the formulas and calculations you need on the job than going through college.

In fact, most of the difficult calculations now can be done automatically on your PC. Plenty of websites out there can calculate Mogden Formulas or Langelier Indices once you enter the data.

Consequently, most employers (IMO) aren't overly bothered about the hard science of it, and having no background in policies and legislation is a lot more damaging to your career progression

Hmm, I don't know, I reckon we'll have to agree to disagree on this one.

The_Captain

Fair enough so :cool:

What do you actually do, if you dont mind me asking?

berger89

Anderidian wrote: »

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science & yet cannot find any jobs using my degree. Instead I've had to settle for 'sales assistant'. Where in the world can I get a job! I would love to move to Scandinavia but don't have the language- any info on that would be super

I'm pretty sure that Scandinavians are fluent in English! Also, Iceland would be a superb place to visit.
Would you consider doing a little spot of volunteering? It might lead onto something else. I know VSI always have programs running in Iceland along the theme of environmental science.

NoCrackHaving

The_Captain wrote: »

Fair enough so :cool:

What do you actually do, if you dont mind me asking?

Not at all!

EIA's for wind farm developments mostly, also some solar stuff.

The_Captain

Over in the UK I take it?

Funny, I would have thought that would be the most regulation-heavy and least hard-science part of the industry.

Admittedly, I don't have any experience with wind farms, but you're not dealing with discharge licencing, waste acceptance, emission standards or anything like that, I would guess