Going the green way

Gauri Chhabra

The rate at which environment is degrading has necessitated the growth of various career options in this field. With countries all over the world becoming more sensitive to sustainability and conservation issues, the demand for qualified professionals in a huge range of roles has increased manifold over the past few years. 

For a long time there have been some basic courses like BE/ BTech, MTech in Environmental Engineering and BSc/MSc in Environmental Studies. Understanding the growing significance of degrading ecosystem, many institutions have initiated innovative courses and degrees at both (undergraduate and postgraduate levels) for all those who wish to make a career in this field.

Let’s take a look at some of these:

Undergraduate Programmes

Bachelor’s in Environmental Earth Science

This programme in earth and environmental sciences provides an understanding of the natural functioning of our planet and considers the consequences of human interactions with it. It aims to convey an understanding of how the complex earth system works at a level that will encourages students to think creatively about earth system processes. Graduates can find employment in areas related to atmospheric sciences, earth sciences and sustainable technologies in the fast- expanding environmental industry in India or abroad.

B.Sc. in Human Ecology

Students interested in Human Rights and wanting to add a scientific approach to their degree can check  out this inter-disciplinary programme. Students would be required to study family social sciences, human nutritional sciences, and textile sciences.They would obtain an education with a strong orientation in the fields of preventive health, community wellness, international development and advocacy.

BSc. in Environment Science

This course is best suited to those wishing to get an understanding of the earth process and looking for a career that deals with  the effects of global climate change. Students are required to study ecosystem dynamics, biodiversity components, natural resources and forest management, environmental techniques & impact assessment, pollution control, industrial hygiene, hazardous waste management, toxic materials control, water supply and water management.

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Postgraduate Programmes

MA Environment & Ecology

If you wish to gain both theoretical knowledge and field experience, you can opt for this degreewhich will help you to understand the existing problems and find possible ways to reduce adverse impact of these. Students get an opportunity to understand the institutional structures concerning environment both at the local and international level, as well as the policies, issues and problems of India and strategies that can be used to address these problems.

MSc. in Pollution Control

This course provides a detailed understanding of the key environmental pollutants and of the current methods used to control pollution from land, water and atmospheric sources, including the control of emissions and effluents into air, water or soil. 

MSc. in Disaster Mitigation

If you have great interest in research, then this course is the best option for you. You will acquire research skills, knowledge and management expertise to deal with future crises, emergencies and disasters. Students study subjects like environmental hazards and disaster management, pre-event mitigation, disaster risk reduction, emergency planning, multi-agency disaster response, and disaster relief, along with the development of technical and inter-personal skills. 

This course enables the students to critically assess the effectiveness of the existing disaster risk management techniques.

MSc. in Environmental Study and Resource Management

This course help s students to develop a holistic approach to environmental and resource problems through case studies, field visits, theater, conferences and seminars. 

As a trained professional, you would be required to deal with scientific, technological, legal, socio-economic and policy aspects related to environment and resource management.

You can apply best management practices drawn from various disciplines to create innovative solutions for a sustainable future. 

MTech in Atmospheric Science and Space Technology

Students interested in studying the field of human activities linked to physical and chemical properties of atmospheric system can go in for this course. 

Students are required to study the atmosphere, its processes, the effects other systems have on the atmosphere and the effects of the atmosphere on these systems. This prepares them for the basic processes involved in weather monitoring and in understand ing major components of the earth-biosphere-atmosphere system.

MBA Environmental Management

If you are seeking managerial positions in industry, commerce & services, then you may go in for MBA in Environmental Management. It would help you participate  in group work that would  help you to improve your decision making abilities and management skills and also give you an understanding of the principles of sustainable development, environmental legislation, environmental auditing and assessment, and green technological development. 

— The writer is a Punjab-based careeer consultant

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Career pathways

There are many different careers open to graduates and postgraduates in sectors ranging from outdoor recreation to waste disposal. Those with degrees in environment-related subjects  consider careers in the field of:

Environmental consultant After the successful completion of graduate degree in Environment Science, you can opt for a career as an environmental consultant or you can advise various organisations, either government or private, about environment-related issues. This could mean assessing the environmental impact of an existing or planned project; advising on the pollution or contamination of land, air or water; measuring the ‘carbon footprint’ of an activity; advising on relevant legislation and regulations; and generally helping companies to become more sustainable.

Community programme coordinator: BSc. in Human Ecology would make you script a career as a community programme coordinator with an NGO or a private organisation. Several organisations need people to administer and coordinate community programmes — family support agencies, environmental groups, faith-based organizations, or advocacy groups.

Waste management director: As you complete your Bachelor of Science in environment science you can work as a director in waste management. Working in the waste management sector typically means helping to organise and manage waste disposal and recycling facilities. You may also be responsible for street cleaning operations and waste collection within a certain community. If you choose this career path, you are likely to work for a local authority, or for a private organisations or environmental agency which deals with landfill waste and conservation projects.

Education and teaching: MA in environment and ecology will lead you to career as a lecturer or ecologist. It is suited to those who are keen to pass on their knowledge and passion for the subject, environmental education careers. It could mean visiting schools to give talks, leading nature walks and organising events, training volunteers and running workshops or courses, and liaising with educational and community groups. Common employers include trusts and charities, local authorities and other public sector groups, and attractions such as zoos, wildlife parks and botanical gardens.

Disaster management professional: There are large numbers of non-government and government organisations that are in need of disaster management professionals. After completing Master’s in Disaster Management, you can make a career in this field that comes with immense scope in NGOs, International organisations like World Bank, United Nations Organisation (UNO), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Red Cross, UNESCO your role will be to protect and manage the people from different types of hazards and problems is an essential duty that is to be taken care of with extreme caution. 

Atmospheric scientist: A Master’s in Atmospheric and Space Technology qualifies you for this profession. There are specialties within this field; the most common is operational meteorologist. They are responsible for assessing weather conditions using information collected from satellites, weather stations, and radar equipment. You would predict weather conditions for the upcoming days, and provide advance notice of approaching weather conditions that may be dangerous.

Environmental management: After the completion of MBA in environment management, you may work as a manager in either the public or private sector, taking on a leading role in helping to improve their environmental performance. Your role would be likely to involve carrying out assessments, identifying problems and organising training of staff to ensure everyone follows relevant policies and contributes to achieving environmental targets.

Institute Watch

1. Indian Institute of Science (IISC) Bengaluru, offering Bachelor of Environmental Earth Science.
2. Sadabai Raisoni Women College, Nagpur, offering BSc in Human Ecology.
3. Apex International College, Amritsar, Punjab offering B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Environmental Science.
4. Nalanda University, Bihar, offering Masters in Ecology and Environmental study.
5. The Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment, New Delhi offering MSc. in Pollution Environment and MSc. in Disaster Mitigation.
6. The Energy and Resource Institute, New Delhi, offering MSc. in Environment and Resource Management.
7. University of Pune, Pune, offering M Tech in Atmospheric Science & Space Technology.
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9. Amity Institute of Energy and Environment, New Delhi, offering MBA in Environmental Management.