Careers

As a field, Environmental Studies promotes meaningful collaboration amongst a broad spectrum of stakeholders (including government officials, business leaders, academics, non-profit directors, and members of the general public) to generate inspired leadership and effective solutions to current and future environmental challenges. Environmental Studies also contributes significantly to the emerging environmental workforce, which includes a diverse array of environmentally-focused careers in areas such as policy formulation, land use planning, environmental protection and restoration, climate change adaptation, natural resource management, environmental monitoring and compliance, green energy, environmental education, ecotourism, waste management, environmental communications, and so much more. Exciting new career opportunities await in this sector, and the BES degree from Saint Mary’s equips our graduates with the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to thrive within this diverse and expanding environmental workforce.

The BES program is designed to provide students with a holistic approach to studying and understanding the environment, with a background in subjects ranging from nature writing to environmental science. This breadth and depth of study equips BES students with a wealth of skills coveted by today’s environmental-sector employers, including:

• Critical understandings of the complex historical and contemporary interactions between humans and the environment
• An abiding respect for the ethical responsibilities associated with issues of sustainability and environmental justice
• Analytical skills and problem-solving strategies approached from an integrative, interdisciplinary perspective
• Strong written and oral communication skills holistically developed through coursework spanning the Sciences, Social Sciences, and Humanities
• Tangible field and laboratory experience drawn from the best practices of multiple disciplines

Many of our graduates have gone on to rewarding, environmentally-focused careers in the private sector, public sector, and non-profit organizations. Others have pursued additional credentials in academic graduate programs, as well as professional programs such as law, education, urban planning, information management, and public administration. The following list, while not exhaustive, gives a flavour for some of the career options available to BES graduates:

Recommended Resources

Saint Mary's University: Career Services

Environmental Careers Organization (eco Canada): Career profiles

National Association of Environmental Professionals (U.S.): website