ES Peer Advisor's Helpful Websites

Answers to Commonly Asked Questions by ES Students

"Ten Ways to Enhance your ES Education at UCSB" .pdf

List of UCSB and Local Environmental Clubs & Organizations

Environmental Graduate Schools & Education
Links to search engines where you can find graduate schools based on your interests.

Environmental Careers Websites
Current job offerings, labor statistics, governmental, non-profits, and green company jobs.

General Environmental Resources
Current environmental news and comprehensive general web search pages on everything you ever wanted to know about the environmental field.

Environmental Career Books and Resources
Great resources for learning more about environmental careers. these books are also available for viewing in the ES Peer Advisor's Office.

Environmental Careers:

US Department of Labor <http://www.bls.gov>
Great information on available job opportunities and industries such as salary, education needed, expected growth, and sample "day in the life" job descriptions.

Peace Corps <http://www.peacecorps.gov/library/index.cfm>

Governmental Jobs <http://www.govtjobs.com/jobsourc.html>
Job information from every government sector from the Department of Energy to the CIA. Job applications, questionnaires, descriptions, and exam information are available.

EPA Jobs and Scholorships <http://www.epa.gov/ohr/careers/index.html>

GreenBiz- Environmental Economics <http://www.greenbiz.com/jobs/>
Job opportunities in the for profit business world for the environmentally oriented worker.

Environmental Jobs
These websites are general environmental job websites with a fairly good mix of entry level and senior level positions in lots of different areas such as energy, consulting, organic products, environmental non profits, and policy.
<http://www.ecojobs.com/index.php>
<http://www.environmentalcareer.com/>
<http://www.ejobs.org>
<http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/jobs>

National Council for Science and the Environment: Internships and Jobs
<http://www.NCSEonline.org/Jobs/index.cfm?&CFID=5496530&CFTOKEN=11834166>
Great internship opportunity for college grads and graduate students.

Environmental Careers Organization <http://www.eco.org>
This website has good tips and links concerning getting an environmentally oriented job.

Environmental Business Information <http://www.environmental-expert.com/jobs.htm>
Environmental job information that is focused on jobs in the UK and for seasoned environmental professionals with advanced degrees or experience. This is a good place to find out about "dream jobs" or positions to work toward.

Corporate Social Responsibility Jobs <http://bsr.org/insight/jobs/index.cfm>
This is a job listing website that solicits postings from members of Businesses for Social Responsibility.

Outdoor Careers <http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/jobs/careeroe.html>
A guide to finding an outdoorsy career.

Renewable Energy <http://www.greenjobs.com/public/index.aspx>
Job listings that are specifically related to energy.

UCSB Career Services <http://career.ucsb.edu/>

Environmental Career Books and Resources
(also available in Peer's Office)

"The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century"
by Kevin Doyle, Environmental Careers Organization (Editor), Tanya Stubbs

Paperback - 280 pages 3 edition (October 1998) Island Press; ISBN: 155963586X

This is THE book to buy on careers in the environment. It details almost any profession you can think of, from science to social work. There are clear descriptions off all the various careers, case studies (i.e. "a day in the life of John Doe, Botanist") and tons of contact information for everyone from the high school student to a Ph.D.. I bought three books on the subject, and this one covers all the information that was in the other two plus it gives hints on how to go about preparing for and engaging in the job search.

"Careers in the Environment" (VGM Professional Careers Series)
by Michael Fasulo, Paul Walker

Paperback - 160 pages 2nd edition (April 1, 2000) NTC/Contemporary Publishing Co.; ISBN: 0658002244

Covers all types of careers, plus includes detailed job forecast information, salary data and each section includes a summary of how to obtain additional career information as well as the education required. The book also includes extensive reference material such as professional organizations for each job.

"Green at Work : Finding a Business Career That Works for the Environment"
by Susan Cohn, Horst Rechelbacher

Paperback - 400 pages Rev&Expanded edition (October 1995) Island Press; ISBN: 1559633344

After an initial section on how to learn about "green" jobs and a summary of environmental law, the bulk of the book comprises 70 profiles of individuals who are creating a better environment through their careers. This wonderful resource enables users to explore a wide range of green business careers. While it can be used for reference in specific fields, it will be even more valuable in exploring environmental job possibilities in general. Public and academic libraries will find this an important addition to career-planning collections. Cohn expands her scope beyond the business world to examine environmentally focused nontechnical careers in a wide variety of fields, including communications, banking and finance, and consulting. Includes listings of more than 400 contacts.

"100 Jobs in the Environment"
by Debra Quintana

This title is out of print, but available in libraries and used bookstores. ASIN: 0028614291

100 Jobs in the Environment has given me a knew perspective on my career choices. As a college student my self and fellow classmates have used this this book to guide our environmental careers. The author has given the reader clear career descriptions and interviews with successful environmental professionals. With each description of a profession is information on where to get education and training on some of the newest environmental jobs in the country. The format of this book is wonderful: each left page lists a job, duties, salary, prospects, education needed, etc.; each right page tells the story of someone who has this job - how they got it, what they do all day, where they see themselves going.

"Outdoor Careers : Exploring Occupations in Outdoor Fields"
by Ellen Shenk

Paperback - 224 pages 2nd edition (February 2000) Stackpole Books; ISBN: 0811728730

Careers are grouped in chapters under eight general headings: agriculture and food production, biological sciences, conservation, environmental sciences, engineering, marine careers, recreation, and indoor careers with an outdoor twist. There are about 60 careers all told, including such uncommon jobs as elephant trainer, skydiving instructor, and equestrienne. Profiles of people in various professions offer personal perspectives, and each chapter has a resources section that provides detailed job source information, including fax numbers and Web site addresses. Salary ranges, educational requirements, and employment outlooks are also given, as are advice on choosing a career and tips on job hunting.

"Sunshine Jobs : Career Opportunities, Working Outdoors"
by Tom Stienstra, Robyn Schlueter, Janet Connaughton (Editor)

Paperback - 300 pages 2nd edition (April 1997) Live Oak Pubns; ISBN: 0911781153

Fifty different outdoor opportunities for gainful employment are explored in Sunshine Jobs. Each job is fully described in terms of how much it pays, training and education requirements, the pros and cons of the job, and strategies for getting that particular job. Sunshine Jobs also features first-person interviews with one hundred people who work at these jobs. These job-holders speak frankly and spontaneously about what is really involved on a day-by-day basis.

"Conservation Directory : A Guide to Worldwide Environmental Organizations (Conservation Directory, 2001)"
by National Wildlife Federation (Editor)

Paperback - 544 pages 46th edition (April 2001) The Lyons Press; ISBN: 1585741140

Here is the authoritative sourcebook of over 3,000 organizations and agencies concerned with natural-resource use and management. The Lyons Press is proud to present the forty-sixth annual edition of the National Wildlife Federation’s Conservation Directory of U.S. and international organizations and agencies working to protect the environment. Included are: members of the United States Congress; government agencies; citizens’ groups; educational institutions; databases, services, periodicals, and other directories; federally protected
conservation areas; indexes; and more.
This annual directory is essential for colleges and universities, libraries, environmental activists, students, outdoor writers, science editors, natural-resource agencies, people seeking employment in the field of conservation, researchers, and all individuals interested in wildlife and ecology. ****

"Guide to Graduate Environmental Programs"
by Student Conservation Association Staff (Compiler), Scott D. Izzo

Paperback - 384 pages (May 1997) Island Press; ISBN: 1559633409

A must for anyone interested in attending graduate school in an environmental field, this guide presents, for the first time in a single volume, information on the various types of programs available across a wide spectrum of environmental fields: city and regional planning; environmental law; public policy; natural resources management; ecology; biological sciences; public health; architecture, and many others.

Environmental Graduate Schools and Education:
 
This list, compiled by the ES Peer Advisor’s office, is intended to serve as a starting point for students beginning to explore their graduate school options. It is by no means an exhaustive resource of all graduate choices, but a good place to start. Students are encouraged to use these websites and to explore further on their own according to their unique interests. Please also note the additional Grad School resources given towards the bottom of this page, and you are encouraged to stop by the ES Peer Advisors office (Bren 4313) with any questions!
 
Comprehensive Grad School Directories

Gradschools.com <www.gradschools.com/environment.html>
Includes both domestic and foreign environmental graduate programs.
May also search specific categories: environmental studies, science, education, engineering, management, or policy.

Peterson’s Graduate School and Program Search
<www.petersons.com/gradchannel/code/search.asp>
Search categories: environmental biology, sciences, education, engineering, design, policy and resource management, or occupational health.

American Universities <www.clas.ufl.edu/CLAS/american-universities.html>

Penn State Institute of the Environment
<www.environment.psu.edu/for_students/grad_progs_other.asp>
Indexes a variety of additional directories

Graduate Guide <www.graduateguide.com>
Search ‘environmental science’

Specific Environmental Interest Directories

Environmental Journalism <http://www.sej.org/careers/programs.htm>

Professional Science Masters Programs
<http://www.ScienceMasters.com/>

Law <http://www.stu.findlaw.com/schools/fullist.html> or
<http://www.abanet.org/legaled/aprovedlawschools/approved.html>

Programs in Canada <http://www.thegreenpages.ca/esac/esprogs.htm>

Additional Graduate School Resources

UCSB's Counseling and Career Services Graduate School Information
<www.thegreenpages.ca/esac/esprogs.htm>

UCSB Graduate Division <www.graddiv.ucsb.edu>

The Gevirtz Graduate School of Education <www.education.ucsb.edu>

College of Letters and Science Advising
<www.advising.ltsc.ucsb.edu/advising.php>

Graduate School Examination Information:

• GRE <www.gre.org>
• LSAT <www.lsac.org>
• MCAT <www.aamc.org/students/mcat/start.htm

US News & World Report: America's Best Graduate Schools 2005
<http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/grad/rankings/rankindex_brief.php>
On this site students can go to the section "rankings and more" and click on one of several categories: engineering, health, etc. Students can then look for the top graduate programs in each of these areas.

UC Berkeley Career Center: Exploring Graduate School <http://career.berkeley.edu/Grad/Grad.stm>
Info on: What is Graduate School? Is Graduate School for Me? How Do I Choose a School?
Applying to Graduate School:  Timeline, Application & Transcripts, Statement, Letters of Recommendation, Testing.

General Environmental Resources:

Resource Guide to the Internet <www.ac.wwu.edu/~lrobbins/huxley.html>

Virtual Library on the Most Common Topics in Environmental Science
<www.earthsystems.org/virtuallibrary/vlsubjects.html>

Earth's Biggest Environmental Search Engine <www.webdirectory.com>

Environmental News Network <www.enn.com>

California Environmental Resource <www.ceres.ca.gov>

ENDS Environment Daily <http://www.environmentdaily.com/articles>
Europe’s environmental news service specializing in environmental policy and legislation.

Envirolink Network <http://www.envirolink.org>
Links to environmental news stories from leading publications around the world.

Environmental News Service (ENS) <http://www.ens-newswire.com>
An international daily newswire.

Greenpeace <http://www.greenpeace.org>
One of the premier international environmental organizations.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) <http://www.epa.gov>
A division of the United States government.

United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) <http://www.unep.org>
Resources, information, and programs for thirteen global environmental ‘issue areas’ ranging from atmosphere to sustainable consumption.

Answers to Some Commonly Asked Questions by ES Students
Updated 2007
Compiled by the ES Student Peer Advisors

What can you do with an ES degree?

Your options are unlimited with an ES degree, since the interdisciplinary nature of the major allows you access to all kinds of different career fields. Some career options are as follows: planning, environmental education and communication, solid waste management, hazardous waste management, air and water quality control, land and water conservation, fishery and wildlife management, forestry, parks and outdoor recreation, environmental law, politics (i.e. lobbying, grassroots, non-profit organizations, EPA), green businesses, environmental consulting, and environmental writing or journalism (Remember that this list is by no means exhaustive). You can also come by the ES Peer Advisor's office in Bren 4313 and browse through our reference books on environmental career information. You can click our above link to Environmental Career Related websites, and you can also sign up for the ES e-mail listserve which has the most up to date information on new voluteer, internship, and career opportunities plus local and campus events and university deadlines. You can also visit the UCSB Counseling and Career Services website (http://career.ucsb.edu/) for additional career information.

What is the difference between the BA and BS degree?

The BA degree is a more interdisciplinary degree with a swath of introductory courses in the social, physical, and natural sciences. The BS is more focused on preparing its majors with a strong background in the physical and natural sciences and is less interdisciplinary at the upper-division level than the BA degree. For instance, the BS requires a full year of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Math, while the BA only requires 2 or 3 Chemistry courses, two Math courses, one Biology and no Physics courses. The degrees also differ in their upper-division ES electives-the BS degree asks that you take part of your upper-division courses from a specified science list, whereas you have much more leeway in the BA degree in that any upper-division course is acceptable. The outside concentration for the two degrees differs as well. The BS requires an outside concentration from one or more departments from a specified list (i.e. Chemistry, EEMB/MCDB, Geography, Geology, Math, Statistics, or Physics), while any College of L&S department is applicable in the BA degree's outside concentration.

How do I petition a class for a major requirement?

You need to come by the ES Advisor's, Peer Advisor's office or the College of L&S and obtain a "Petition for Graduation/Degree Requirements." You then fill out the document and return it to either the ES Advisor's or Peer Advisor's office with a self-addressed stamped envelope and any supporting documents (course descriptions, syllabi and/or your new student profile). Expect it to take up to 2 weeks for the petition to be processed and returned to you.

What forms do I need to change my major?

To change or to declare one of the three majors in Environmental Studies you need pick up an "Undergraduate Petition to Declare or Change Major" plus a "Memo of Understanding for Double Majors," (if you are declaring a double major) from the Peer Advisors. You will complete these documents along with the ES Program's "Major Application Form" for whichever degree you will be declaring. Finally, you will need to attach a copy of your unofficial transcript (printed from GOLD), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a photo copy of your new student profile (if you have transferable units). We will then process the paperwork for you and mail back confirmation in one to two weeks.

Is it hard to have a double major?

It is not difficult to complete a double major. All it really requires is a better balancing of your time academically in order to graduate in four years. A double major can also help you to develop more of a focus in your studies. Additionally, for the Environmental Studies B.A. and B.S. degrees, a double major will completely satisfy the outside concentration requirement in the major. In order to declare a double major, you need to obtain an "Undergraduate Petition to Declare or Change Major" and a "Memo of Understanding for Double Majors," both available at the ES Advisor's and ES Peer Advisor's offices. You complete these forms with the ES Program's "Major Application Form" for whichever degree you are declaring. You then attach a copy of your unofficial transcript (available from GOLD), a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a copy of your new student profile (if you have transferable units) and return all the documents to the ES Program. We will then process the paperwork and mail back confirmation in one to two weeks.

Should I (for a BA student) take Math 3AB or 34AB?

Well, it really depends on how you feel about math! For instance, Math 3AB is much more straightforward in that you deal mainly with explicit calculus problems. On the other hand, Math 34AB is aptly named "Calculus for the Social Sciences" because it is mostly applied calculus, i.e. word problems. The ES department also offers and quantitative thinking course titled ES 25 Quantitative Thinking in ES, and it is currently offered in spring. ES 25 does not have any prerequisites, and can be applied to the BA degree with Math 34A or Math 3A. Just keep in mind that if you plan on pursuing either of the BS degrees in Environmental Studies you must have the Math 3AB courses in order to move on into the Math 3C and 5A courses. If you take the 34AB series and then decide to switch to the BS degree, the Math department will require that you repeat the Math 3AB courses before enrolling in 3C. It is also important to note that you must obtain a grade of "C" or better in order to move on to the next math course. So if you are still undecided do 3AB.

How do I get an internship?

Internships are important because they give you an opportunity to apply what you have learned in school to a "real world" situation. The first step in finding an internship is to pick up the "Environmental Studies Internship Program Handbook-Part 1," found outside of the ES Peer Advisor's office (Bren 4313). At the back of the handbook is an "ESIP Student Internship Application." You need to turn in the completed application, a copy of your current resume (draft copy okay), and the GPA waiver form (if your GPA is below 3.0) to the ES Peer Advisor or the ES Academic Advisor. Once the application is approved you may utilize the resources the ES Department offers in order to find an internship. The ES listserve has all of our current internship opportunities. We also provide internship binders (found in the Peer Advisor's office, Bren 4313) with current internship and past internship information, and current information from the listserve is also posted outside of the ES Peer Advisor's office. You can also use resources outside of those we provide, such as the Internet, personal acquaintances, or Counseling & Career Services. Once you find internship opportunities that interest you, you are on your own to contact the agency for an interview or for application material. Once you find an internship, and you want to enroll in ES 192 in order to receive academic credit for the internship, you need to obtain and complete the "ESIP Proposal Form" (in Part 2 of the Student Internship Handbook). Signatures are required from you, the agency supervisor and by an ES faculty advisor. You then return this form to the ESIP Coordinator within the first two weeks of the quarter upon which you will receive an add code to enroll in ES 192 GOLD system. From then on you must follow the assignments to successfully pass the ES 192 course. Remember, for every 30 hours completed, one unit of credit is given, and you may receive up to a total of 12 upper-division College of L&S units, of which no more than four may apply towards the major requirements.

If I had an internship this summer, can I get units for fall?

If you know you will be participating in a summer internship before you begin and want academic credit, you must see the ES Internship Coordinator before you leave. If you had an internship in the summer, and you did not sign up with the ES Program before you started, unfortunately we will not be able to give you retroactive credit. Hours for a summer internship may be applied for academic credit in two ways. First, if you want to use internship hours accumulated during the first six weeks of summer (during UCSB's Summer Session) you will need to register for Env S 192 in Summer Session. Any internship hours completed after summer school ends are eligible for fall units (i.e. hours obtained in August and September) as long as you notify the ES Internship Coordinator prior to your internship.

What is the senior thesis, and why should I do it?

The senior thesis is a substantial research project in which you will focus on a specific and limited problem with the knowledge you have gained from a wide range of disciplines. You are by no means required to complete a senior thesis. However, it will apply as 6 units towards your environmental studies electives and completing the thesis is mandatory if you wish to obtain "Distinction in the Major" at graduation. Additionally, the senior thesis will allow you to develop many skills needed in the "real world." For instance, you will learn how to follow a major project through to completion. You will also hone your research skills by learning how to gather and analyze data, and you will learn how to talk to professors and professionals about their subject. On a personal level, you can gain confidence, improve your writing skills, improve your ability to make oral presentations, and improve your time-management skills. These are all skills that you will need on a professional level in whatever career you choose to undertake.

If interested in completing the senior thesis, you need to register for ES 197 during fall quarter. The course meets once a week during fall quarter in order to assist the participating students in finding a topic, finding a faculty advisor, and in orienting them as to what the senior thesis is and how to go about writing one. The thesis can be completed over the entire academic year by taking an incomplete at the end of the quarter until the thesis is completed.

Can I take a course for the major as P/NP?

No major or preperation for the major course can be taken for P/NP, with two exceptions: ES 190 and ES 192, which are only offered P/NP.

Do I have to get a grade of at least a "C" in order for the course to apply towards my major?

The following applies to all Environmental Studies and Hydrologic Sciences majors. Please note other departments and majors on campus might have GPA requirements different than the ones listed below.

The three degrees offered by the ES Program follow the "General College of Letters and Science GPA Requirements for Graduation", and these are:

That is it! A grade as low as a "D-" will satisfy any major course requirement. You just need to make sure your cumulative GPA for rules 1 through 3 mentioned above stay above a 2.0. You always have the option to repeat a course in which you received a grade of "C-" or lower, but as long as you do not fail (grade of "F"); the course will apply as credit towards your major requirements.

NOTE: In some departments such as Mathematics and Biology, specific lower-division course sequences require a minimum grade in the preceding course in order to enroll in the next course in the sequence. One example of this is mathematics where all students must obtain a grade of "C" or better in Math 3A or 34A in order to move on to the next course. Although this is not a rule imposed by the ES Program, it is one our students must follow if they are to satisfy the math requirement for the major.

How do I find out if I am on track for graduation?

Step 1: Obtain and complete the appropriate "Student Progress Check Worksheet" for your major(s), available at the Peer Advisor's, Academic Advisor's or ES Program's Main Office. In addition, pick up a copy of your unofficial transcript from the Registrar's Office or print a copy from the Gold System. If you have transfer work, include a photo copy of your New Student Profile and/or credit memos.

Step 2: Complete the worksheet and then bring it in to see one of the ES Peer Advisors or the Academic advisor. They will then sit down and go over the worksheet with you to verify your current status regarding completion of your major requirements.

Step 3: As a final check for graduation progress, you can now see the status of your degree progress on GOLD! It takes less than a minute and you can evaluate your progress on completing the unit requirement, university requirements, and general education requirements according to the degree you are earning. Some major requirements can also be evaluated for completion on GOLD, but ES is currently not one of them.