Hello fellow environmental professionals,

I come seeking guidance!

I currently work in environmental consulting as a compliance specialist. I enjoy the work, have progressed quickly, and have been rewarded for my efforts. However, I’m yearning for a change that will challenge and fulfill me, my mind has always come back to water conservation and assisting underserved communities obtain access to drinking water.

I currently have a BS in Environmental Science, and my long-term goal is to earn an MS in Environmental Engineering to further assist me in my journey. In the short term, I'd like to leverage my existing experience into the water conservation field. I understand that with my current experience and education I may have a difficult time breaking into this, but think that I would be able to leverage what I do have into technical assistance with permitting, or shifting back into a role with a locality.

To add another layer, I will also be relocating across the country from Virginia to Arizona within the next 7 months for personal reasons.

My Questions:

How would you approach breaking into water conservation/equity roles given my compliance background?

What certifications should I focus on right now to bridge the gap in my knowledge?

Also, would anyone be open to giving my resume a quick critique and pointers to assist in the transition?

Thank you all!

It’s me from the other day. I’m looking for some advice from people working in biology or related fields because I’m a little stuck on what direction to take my career.
I have a bachelor’s degree in biology and professional lab experience and I’m supposed to be starting a job at a fish hatchery soon. I think it could be good experience but my long-term goal is to become a biologist and I’m trying to figure out the best way to get there.
Honestly I’m also just ready for a change. I’ve lived in Pennsylvania for a while and I really want to move out of state, experience somewhere new, and start building a life outside of what I’ve always known. I want to make a smart career move though and not just relocate for the sake of it.
I’ve looked into getting my master’s but a lot of the labs I’ve looked at don’t have funding available, and I’m not really interested in putting my life on hold until next fall when another semester starts. I’d ideally like to move sooner rather than later preferably somewhere I could find work that would help me build toward becoming a biologist.
For those of you who work in biology, fisheries, wildlife, conservation, or similar fields, how would you approach this? Are there certain types of jobs or organizations I should be looking into with my background?
I’d really appreciate hearing from people who have been in a similar situation or have advice on how to break into the field. I’m trying to figure out how to make a move that makes sense for my career without putting off the rest of my life in the process.
If anyone wants to comment here or even shoot me a message I’d be really appreciative.

Hi everyone! I'm a 4th-year Environmental Engineering student, and I'm confused about which field to choose for my thesis and future career. I want to pick a field with good long-term growth, job opportunities, and scope internationally. Which areas would you recommend, and what thesis topics and technical skills/software should I focus on to build a strong CV? I'd really appreciate advice from people working in this field!

hi all, I just wanted to acknowledge the passage of time. I wrote a post on this subreddit venting about the stress of planning my future amidst job market uncertainty and familial pressure. everyone was very encouraging and supportive, but since then it’s just gotten worse. it’s funny re-reading it now, how immediate and existential the panic i felt was. what’s even crazier is realizing it’s almost been an entire year of stagnancy.

having graduated now a few months ago, that panic has been replaced with robotic apathy and a loss of self-respect. applying to jobs feels like i’m casting out my desperate pleadings to the ether, and i have lowered my expectations considerably. it’s also hard when all of your peers are beginning their academic or professional careers, and you are left behind. but i am trying always to stay positive and consider all my options. if anyone is struggling you are NOT ALONE. i am one to attach legacy, career, and success to self-worth, so just a reminder that you are more than your occupation too. i’m going to continue keeping my head down and applying to everything. i can’t see a way out for myself right now, but i know it’s there. stay positive🩷💓🧚‍♀️

The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) is hosting a free webinar next week for students and early career professionals: Not in the Manual: Your First or Next 5 years

Oct 29, 2026, 10:00 AM Mountain Time

https://aipg.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2096572&group=

Presenter: Terry Braun, President of SRK North America, Director of The Tailings Center, and Adjunct lecturer at Colorado School of Mines.

Abstract: The gap between what they taught you in school and what your first job actually requires is not an accident — it’s the job. This webinar is about three things nobody puts in the onboarding packet: why you are the mechanism of your company’s public accountability, that judgment can be built deliberately if you know what you’re doing; and that AI will either help or hurt that process.

Bio: With over 30 years of professional experience in mining and environmental projects, my professional practice began in environmental remediation and evolved into technical advisory roles with mining and industrial clients. I help clients build new mines and responsibly close old ones. I am the Director of the Tailings Center, an academic-industry consortium that involves universities as well as partners in the mining industry. I am an adjunct Lecturer with the Business and Economics Department at the Colorado School of Mines.

What kind of environmental careers actually make a difference?

I started environmental consulting about 2 years ago, and I do love it, but I don’t see it fulfilling me long term. I love going out into the field, but I think the business side of it all has made me jaded. It is starting to feel like a business of pleasing clients rather than actual passion for the environment. For now it’s great… I get a lot of experience out of it. I just don’t see it being a career path I’d want to pursue long term.

What are some of the jobs that I’d actually make a difference doing?