School of Environmental Studies

What Can You Do With A Degree in Environmental Studies?

The sky's the limit! There are many different areas that Environmental Studies majors go into after they graduate from Tennessee Tech University. Here are a few examples:

Environmental Remediation and Compliance: Remediation, Auditing, Air and Water Pollution.

Environmental Remediation and Compliance Photo showing pollution

Air or Water Quality Management:
Laboratory Analysis, Watershed
Management, Stream Restoration, Sustainable Infrastructure,Permitting.

Air or Water Quality Management Photo showing an aerial view of a river

Conservation Planning: Natural Resource Planning, Transportation Planning, Recreation Management,
Building/Zoning, Park Management.

Conservation Planning Photo showing a lake coast

Environmental Education and
Communication: Teaching, Technical Writing, Editing for Publishers, Public
Relations, Nature Photography,
Journalism.
Environmental Education and Communication Photo showing a teacher and student

Environmental Law: Political Action, Lobbying, Science Policy, Regulatory
Affairs, Patent Law, Environmental Law, Non-profit, Mediation.
Environmental Law Photo showing two officials in an office

Waste Management: Risk Assessment,
Quality Control, Recycling,
Environmental Engineering, Industrial Hygiene, Public and Environmental
Health.
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Prospective Employers Pertaining to Environmental Studies

Local (Public and Private)

Public

Army Corps of Engineers
Department of Agriculture
Department of Defense
Department of Energy
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Interior
Federal, state, and local government
Natural Resource Conservation Service
Public works departments

Private

Job Boards to Help Get Your Career Started

Open Internships

The Nature Conservancy Internships

Description: The Nature Conservancy offers a wide range of internship opportunities designed to build real-world skills while making a measurable environmental impact. Follow the link above to explore current internship openings and find the opportunity that aligns with your goals.

The Ayin Project's Summer High School Internships in Research Experience's (SHIRE) Program- Undergraduate Research Assistant

Description: The Ayin Project's Summer High School Internships in Research Experiences (SHIRE) Program provides paid, hands-on research internships for Nashville-area high school students ages 16-19. Over seven weeks, interns gain hands-on experience in research, media, and administration while developing professional skills and building mentorship connections. The program aims to cultivate a global perspective in interns by presenting them with real-world water quality issues that face Ugandan communities where TAP works. The interns are challenged to develop innovative solutions, by applying their knowledge in actionable and impactful ways. Some tasks related to the Undergraduate Research Assistant position are- participate with high school research teams working on water quality/accessibility issues presented by TAP from their work in UG, help maintain lab safety while gaining lab experiences, assist in development strategies related TAP, and assist in deepening the research in relation to the water projects being worked on. TAP is currently looking to fill two (2) positions.
Dates: June 1 - July 17, 2026

ESS Current Job Openings

Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, and GIS

TDEC Environmental Scientists, Foresters, and Consultants - View open TDEC positions here!

Description: The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation frequently hires for various environmental positions at their West, Middle, and East Tennessee offices. Visit the TN.gov website and search for positions at TDEC.

Salary Range: $48,204 – $72,468 annually.

Bradford Woods Summer Camp Employment Position - Nature Program Instructor

Description: The Nature Program Instructor is responsible for designing and implementing nature-based programming that meets the needs, interests, and abilities of each camp session’s population. A key part of this role is creating written activity plans and working closely with cabin staff to adapt activities so that every camper can fully participate and enjoy the experience. This position lives in the cabins for the duration of the summer and assists with camper personal care, activities of daily living, and medical procedures. When not planning, setting up, or leading activities, the Nature Program Instructor will engage with campers in their assigned cabin group to ensure a positive and supportive experience. Location is in Martinsville, Indiana and employment will be from May 11th to July 31st, 2026.

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