There are many jobs involving research, ranging from lotion products and healthcare agencies, to researching laws and the weather. But there is only one researching branch that deals solely with the environment, and that is the work of an environmental researcher.
An environmental researcher does many different works of research within the category of ‘environment’, but perhaps the biggest priority today in environmental research is the study of air. Scientists are working to find ways to purify air, and are also researching different methods of preserving the clean air we have. There are also a few other key projects currently underway—specifically children’s health, biological threats, and even computational toxicology. No matter what the focus of research is, however, all of this research is conducted by scientists and/or engineers. These scientists and engineers are both knowledgeable and passionate about their work. And you could become one of them!
That is the basic overview of an environmental researcher, but there is a wider picture. The government and large industrial companies will base many of their decisions on your findings. All issues involved with the environment will go through several different agencies centered around environmental research before a consensus is reached. So not only would your work as an environmental researcher be centered on basic methods of research, but your work would also help determine the outcome of some very large governmental decisions. If you have the desire to become a part of something big, this could be your perfect job option.
Where does an environmental researcher find employment? There are so many career opportunities as an environmental researcher—you would need to decide some things right up front. Do you want to work for a government-funded organization, or would you rather be employed by a smaller agency that deals more with deeper research? There are many different agencies and other organizations—private and governmental—looking for capable researchers. You would not have difficulty finding employment, and more likely than not, you would be able to find wonderful employment wherever you want, geographically. Regardless of what route you decided to go—whether strictly with the government, or on a more private level—you will be conducting valuable research that will affect all environmental researchers everywhere. Many smaller firms are actually sustained through government, so no matter what aspect of the field you pick, you will be participating in all aspects of environmental work.
Obviously this is an intense career, and you will need higher education—any science research work will require a degree. The higher your degree, the better chance of employment, but you will at least need a bachelor’s degree in some science field, preferably biology or chemistry. An engineer will also need at least a bachelor’s degree. And just like the stack of presents on your birthday—the higher the better.
There are many aspects of environmental research, especially if you narrow that down further by deciding to go into specifically atmospheric research, as, say, a biologist. Just by making those basic decisions, you have targeted your work to entail studies of the Earth’s gaseous outer layer, especially researching the how, why, and what ifs about its interaction to other atmospheric elements. (Among other things)
But suppose that particular topic doesn’t really interest you. Does that mean environmental research isn’t for you? Of course not! There are so many different layers to this type of research, and so many particular combinations—and if you choose just one thing different, you end up with a completely other career.
Would you rather study animals? Endangered species research is a favorite path right now for environmental researchers to take. This specific field is called ecology, and they study and analyze both the endangered animals themselves—their habits and so forth—but they also search for ways to help them.
What about geology? Yes, even that is covered in this field of environmental research! As you can begin to glimpse, work in the environmental sciences is an especially promising field that seems quite simple at first glance. But then you start crouching in for a deeper look, and you might actually discover the perfect career for yourself—a career in environmental research.
