How To Become an Environmentalist?

Anyone can care about the environment and work for the better preservation even from the comfort of their home, especially in the contemporary digital age. You can explore local environmental groups to associate yourself with, volunteer at NGOs and wildlife sanctuaries or avail the boon of social media to advocate your views. But, if you want to become an adept professional in this field, then there are some essentials you must know which include educating yourself about this arena of social work. If you strive to help the society in the most beneficial way imaginable, this blog aims to provide students with all the details regarding the academic and professional journey of an Environmentalist. 

Who is an Environmentalist?

If you want to know how to become an environmentalist, then first you should know who is an environmentalist. Also known as Environmental scientists, Environmentalists are those professionals who are constantly working towards preserving the mother nature and what can be done to prevent further damage to Earth. They also strive to spread awareness about environmental issues and climate change. But in this sense, Greta Thunberg will also be called an Environmentalist though she doesn’t have a doctorate or any degree for that matter. She can be referred to as a true Environmental activist who augmented her knowledge by herself and actively took part in increasing awareness about the things that are wrong with our attitude towards global warming. But to pursue this specialisation as a professional, you will be required to possess certain qualifications which we have discussed in the next section. First, let’s understand what an Environmentalist does:

• Environmentalists have to collect, analyze and interpret the data of particular environmental concern and using the information they provide probable solutions. 
• They are allotted both field and laboratory work for collecting data and then testing them. For example, to collect soil samples from the fields and then bringing them back to the lab to check the acidity. 
• Environmentalists also help in policy formulations by the government.

Academic Qualifications

To become a professional Environmentalist, the candidate has to have at least a masters degree in Environmental Science or any other related subject. A degree in Life Sciences would be a great alternative too. Some of the major steps you can take in your academic quest to fit the job description of an Environmentalist are:

• Complete your high school with subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Physical Science
• Study a bachelor’s, certificate or diploma level program from any of the Environmental Science courses
• Associate yourself actively with Environmental NGOs either locally or at the university level.
• Pursue a master’s degree or PhD in any specialisation of Environmental Science

Required Skills to Become an Environmentalist

For any certain role, you will need some prerequisite skills to shine out as the right candidate. Here are some of the required skills you must have to become an Environmentalist.

• The biggest requirement is that the candidate should have a passion or interest in protecting the natural resources and also improving the environment. It is very necessary for the candidate to analyze their niche because there are many subtopics under the “Environmental Science” arena, as mentioned in the list of courses above.
• They should be able to work long hours in exerting surroundings. Being an Environmentalist is not easy because the climate change has negatively impacted our environment and though it has been brought to the notice of the world, the right actions still need to be taken and keeping everyone aware about the same is quite a persevering task. 
• Having more than one area of expertise always helps because the environment is a mix of eco-systems that require help and care in their own ways.
• Should be able to find good workable and logical solutions to different problems.
• Communication skills and problem-solving abilities are a must.

Major Courses in Environmental Science

Take a look at the commonly opted Environmental Science courses by students across the world to follow the path of an Environmentalist.

• BSc Environmental Science and Wildlife Management
• BSc Environmental Science and Water Management
• BSc (Hons) in Environmental Science
• Diploma in Environment and Technology
• MSc Earth Sciences
• MSc Ecology and Environmental Sciences
• MSc Environmental Science
• MSc Life Science
• MSc Sustainable Development
• MSc Disaster Mitigation
• MSc Global Warming Reduction
• MSc Green Technology
• MBA Forestry and Environment Management
• MTech in Environmental Science
• MPhil in Environment Biology
• MPhil in Environmental Sciences
• MPhil in Sugar Technology

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Top Universities Offering Environmental Science Courses

There are numerous academic institutions across the globe that provide a multitude of degree and diploma programs in Environmental Science. In order to get the required exposure and knowledge to become an Environmentalist, you need to carefully select a program and university. To help you further in your research, here are some of the best institutions for Environmental Science and Engineering as per QS World University Rankings 2021:

Rank	University	Country
1	Stanford University	USA
=2	Harvard University	USA
=2	Massachusetts Institute of Technology	USA
4	University of Oxford	UK
5	ETH Zurich- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology	Switzerland
6	University of Cambridge	UK
7	University of California Berkeley	USA
8	Wageningen University and Research	Netherlands
=9	Imperial College London	UK
=9	Tsinghua University	China
11	University of British Columbia	Canada

Eligibility Criteria for Environmental Science Courses

The entry requirements for programs in Environmental Science vary as per the degree level and university. Some of the basic requisites for these programs that you can pursue to become an Environmentalist:

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• To apply for a degree in Environmental Science, the candidate should have passed their high school education with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Physical Science. 
• GRE scores might be required for select programs.
• Passing English-language proficiency test scores like IELTS or TOEFL or PTE. Some universities may ask applicants to attend a personal interview, group discussion or any specific entrance exam.
• Keep your documents like SOP, LOR, resume, transcripts in place before you start with your application process. 

Employment Areas for an Environmentalist

Environmentalist can explore work prospects in both the public and private sector. The following pointers elucidate upon the work areas in detail:

• Environmentalists can work in various central, state or local governments depending on the area they live in. The governments require them to determine various things like land distribution, monitoring the chemical levels found in fields, the viability of crop productions etc.
• Besides this, you can also get hired by the private sector to determine their impacts on the environment by clinically testing the products and wastes and determining ways to prevent the waste disposal.
• If you are inclined towards the academic or research domain, you can explore opportunities as a professor or a scholar in universities and research institutions.

Hence, as an Environmentalist, you will be pursuing a highly responsible role to work towards the conservation of the mother nature as well as bring awareness of the impact of different environmental changes having the potency to harm our planet. If you are unsure about which program in Environmental Science fits your interests and aspirations, take the assistance of our Leverage Edu experts who can help you find the right course and university as well as through its admission thus to ensure that you make an impressive application and attain the right knowledge and exposure to sail towards your dream career.