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Thomson Nelson > Higher Education > Our Environment, Second Edition > 

EDUCATION & CAREERS

The increase in the number and nature of opportunities for one to pursue in environmental studies and careers has mirrored the increased interest in environment issues. The Internet contains a wealth of information on where to study and where to find work. 

The Environmental Resource Centre provides a section on Educational Institutions that focuses on environmental studies in Canada and includes links to specific departments that offer environmental courses.

In addition, there is a section with links to sites providing advice to those about to enter the workforce. This Careers section includes links to sites with guidelines for writing résuméand job searching pointers as well as valuable links to online job postings.

Please let us know in the comments section if you end up with a job from one of these sites!

If you are not yet ready to enter the workplace, perhaps you are searching for means to fund your education. Scholarships, Bursaries, and Other Means of Funding can aid in relieving the increasing costs of advanced education.

EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

Gaining a better understanding about environmental issues and science can be accomplished at the postsecondary level in a number of traditional and "new" disciplines.  Universities and colleges are beginning to recognize environmental science and studies often as disciplines separate from traditional fields of study. Environmental courses can be found in nearly every faculty, but to specialize in the environmental milieu, one requires a number of diverse courses.  Biology, Ecology, Geography, Earth Science, Forestry, Ocean Sciences, and Agricultural Science typically have a number of courses with an environmental focus and provide one with a background that could be considered "environmental in nature." If you are more interested in focusing strictly on environmental issues, you may wish to select the links listed below that offer specialized environmental faculties and/or programs.

General Links to Universities and Colleges

There are many general sites for finding links to universities worldwide:

Canadian Universities & Colleges

The following list provides links to faculties and programs with environmental content or that explore some of the major topics found in Our Environment: A Canadian Perspective.

Before you jump to specific programs, you may find it useful to view Maclean's annual review of Canadian universities. Site Leader's Note:  Although useful, the "conclusions" presented at this site are general and should not make-or-break whether to consider a certain program within a university ... take them with a grain of salt.

The sites listed below contain program information and most have links to Registrar sites for more detailed information on entrance requirements and tuition.   We are adding more links to colleges every week ... bookmark this page and check back frequently. Universities & Colleges

    British Columbia


Careers

Environmental studies can lead to careers in a variety of sectors. There are numerous jobs within government, industry, education, special interest groups, and non-government organizations. Careers can focus on science, policy, opinion, or any combination thereof. Salaries for environmental positions vary with the sector, nature of the job, the economic climate, and your professional skills and/or experience. Generally, industry-related jobs pay more, but may be more demanding.

Environmental careers can involve field work, office work, independent work, group work, technical work, conceptual planning, and more. Careers can vary as much as the field does; indeed, there are plenty of avenues to pursue! To help you focus your efforts you may wish to undertake a Career Planning Process. Another strong resource in helping you plan your job search is the College Grad Job Hunter, 1998 Edition.

Try visiting some of the sites listed below if you are searching for a job or are curious about the amount and types of jobs available. Site Leader's Opinion: A résumé should be an expression of your personality, work habits, and professionalism. As a Principal in an Internet development company and a Geomatics/Environmental company, and being responsible for hiring personnel, I look for well-organized résuméthat:

  • present a logical and consistent layout;
  • highlight key points using dynamic words (remember most résumé are only scanned); and
  • provide a summary of work experience and skills.


More important for me is the covering letter. The covering letter indicates whether the applicant can communicate effectively. When creating a cover letter, don't simply list what you've done. Before you put anything on paper, research the company you are interested in! Know their corporate goals, market, services, or mandates. My company seeks individuals who outline how their past experience, existing skills, and aptitude will integrate with my company's corporate vision and improve our delivery of services. If I like what I see, they may be short-listed or receive an interview. At this point, I begin to explore what the applicant may want. Remember, you are selling yourself ... not "seeing what you can get." Good luck with your job search!

NB:    This is not a request for résumé!


Beyond résumé

In today's highly competitive job market, one needs an edge that separates him/her from the next applicant. How is this accomplished? There is no "right" answer to this question; however, many believe that networking can be extremely advantageous in establishing an "in." The old saying "it's not what you know, but rather who you know" may contain some truth. The following sites provide information on networking and more:


Scholarships, Bursaries, and Other Means of Funding

It costs to learn ... at least it does if you want to attend a university or community college. 

For insight into some of the fiscal issues faced by students, try visiting the Maclean's site for an article titled Money Matters. This article explores changing student fees and provides some "handrails" to guide students seeking additional funding.

Most student loan information can be, or must be, acquired from your advanced-education institution.  An evolving student resource centre for student loans and advanced education searches is schoolfinder.com and scholarshipscanada.com. In addition, try the following sources for more information on financial aid: 



Finally, one of the best sources of information on where to find additional funds is through your institution's financial aid office. Visit them!



 

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