Career Opportunities
What do Earth Systems Scientists do?
- help our communities and governments understand the impacts of climate change
- help communities have a sustained supply of clean water
- guide the understanding of risks and improving of resilience to natural hazards such as earthquakes, flooding, extreme weather, and landslides
- select safe locations for development & construction projects
- ensure that soils and streams are safe for people & wildlife
- help inform the sustainable use of natural resources
- conduct fundamental research on the Earth and its history, its processes, and its future
A wide variety of employment opportunities are open to earth systems scientists, with a growing national and international workforce in most career paths. Many earth systems scientists are employed in private industry by firms involved in environmental services, engineering geology, and water resources; the integrative and holistic nature of the Earth Systems degree is well-suited to comprehensive and large-scale environmental consulting projects. Other careers include information services, K-12 education, science communication, resource extraction & sustainability, and non-profit/NGO outreach & advocacy. A number of graduates obtain employment with federal or state agencies involved with the environment, natural resources, sustainability, or energy, as well as municipal and regional planning departments. Many earth systems students also continue their academic research and broader career opportunities by pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degree in Geosciences, Climate Science, Ocean Science and related fields.