Environmental
Science is a growth area with lots of opportunities for girls and
women.
An example
of the growth in this industry is the surge in awareness of the importance
of re-using and recycling domestic and industrial waste. A big part
of this new process is community education that encourages people
to become more aware of their responsibilities to the environment.
People might think that environmental issues are too big for them
to tackle, or they might not realise how we can all change little
habits, and together we can make a big difference.
Have
you ever heard of the saying 'Think globally, act locally'? It means
you can do the smallest thing, and it can have a huge impact on the
entire environment. An example of this logic is putting your glass
bottles in a recycling bin instead of the garbage bin, or taking your
old plastic bags to the supermarket with you.
But before
people realise what they can do to help the environment, they have
to know about the issues. Governments, councils, community groups
(like Clean
Up Australia) and schools all employ community educators to
get the message out there about environmental issues.
There
is also the opportunity to combine your passion for the environment
with another discipline, such as engineering or economics. The area
of Environmental Science is so broad, you can choose to focus on a
subject that you are really passionate about. For example, if you
love the Australian bush, you can specialise in learning about the
native plants and animals and their habitats.
You'll
be surprised at the variety of Environmental Science jobs out there
- here are just a few examples:
-
Aboriculture Worker
-
Bushland Regenerator
-
Fisheries Officer
-
Forest Technical Officer
-
Natural Resource Manager
-
Park Ranger
-
Water Technician.
Salaries
and wages in Environmental Science vary as much as the types of jobs.
Of course, how much you get paid also depends on your qualifications
and experience. Starting salaries and graduate salaries are going
to be less than salaries for supervisors and managers.
For example,
a Park Ranger can earn between $30 000 and $60 000 per year. They
can earn more if they are in a management position.
If you
want to begin a career in Environmental Science while you are doing
your HSC, think about enrolling in a part time school-based Vocational
Education and Training (VET) traineeship:
Horticulture:
Certificate
II in Horticulture
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Arboriculture)
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Floriculture)
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Landscape)
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Nursery)
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Parks & Gardens)
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Production)
Certificate
II in Horticulture (Turf Management).
TAFE
NSW has a range of courses in the Environmental Science field. Check
out the TAFE
NSW online handbook
for course details.
Other
public and private education and training providers such as universities
and community colleges offer courses in Environmental Science as well.
For more
information on jobs in Environmental Science check out the Job
Search Website.
Check
out the IYE website for more information about the International
Year of Ecotourism.
