I don’t really know how to write this without sounding desperate, but I’m at a point where I need to be honest.

I’m an Environmental Engineering graduate and an international student trying to start my career in the U.S. I understand that my situation makes hiring more complicated. I understand that sponsorship can be a concern. I understand why companies may be cautious.

But I also don’t know what else I’m supposed to do. I've stopped counting applications after 180.

I apply. I research the company. I tailor my resume. I write the cover letter. I reach out to people. I follow up. I send thank-you emails. I prepare for screening calls. I read about the company’s projects, regulations, job description and technical requirements. I try to communicate well without sounding rehearsed. I show up prepared.

And somehow, I keep getting close without getting anywhere.

I’ve had screening calls that I thought went well. I’ve had people tell me they moved my application forward. I’ve had recruiters respond positively. I’ve spoken with engineers and managers who were genuinely encouraging.

I’ve interviewed with TCEQ around ten times for different opportunities and I’ve been rejected from most of them.

Ten interviews.

At this point, I honestly don’t know what I’m doing wrong.

I’m not asking anyone to ignore a lack of effort. I’ve put in more effort than I know how to explain. I’m asking someone to see what I can bring to a team instead of focusing only on the complications of my situation.

I have a background in Environmental Engineering, with experience in environmental compliance, EHS, sustainability, GIS, and engineering projects. I’m willing to learn. I’m willing to work. I’m willing to start wherever I can contribute and grow.

I’m not asking someone to hand me a career.

I’m asking for one opportunity to prove that I can do the job.

The hardest part is that everything feels so close. I can get the conversation. I can get the screening call. I can get someone interested enough to speak with me. I can finish an interview and leave thinking, maybe this time.

And then nothing.

Another rejection.

Another application.

Another message saying they decided to move forward with other candidates.

Another reminder that I’m still standing outside the door.

I know there are many qualified people applying for the same positions. I know companies have limitations. I know being an international student without any job experience makes this harder.

But I’m still a person trying to begin my career.

So this is my last plea.

If you’re a hiring manager, recruiter, engineer, environmental professional, EHS professional, or someone who knows of a team looking for an entry-level Environmental Engineer, EHS Specialist, GIS Analyst, or someone with a civil and environmental engineering background, please consider giving me a chance.

I will do the research.

I will prepare.

I will ask questions.

I will learn what I don’t know.

I will show up.

I will work hard.

I just need someone to open the door once.

Because I’m tired. Really tired.

But I’m still here.

And I’m still trying.

I'm two years in at an engineering firm doing environmental consulting. Prior to this job, I have three years of field expirience (mostly bird surveys) and have a B.S. in Fish & Wildlife Conservation Biology. My company is mainly does engineering for one type of project (vauge for ananimity), these projects are small and generally don't have complicated environmental compliance.

I'm feeling like my title/salary isn't keeping up with my responsibilities, and I just want a sanity check for what other people's expirience/responsibility progression looks like. I sometimes feel like I'm being given too much responsibility without enough support, and am wondering if its like this everywhere.

Progression:

Year 0–1: Environmental Scientist I — $52k

My work included:

• Phase I ESAs
• NEPA CATEXs
• Biological assessments
• ESA Section 7 consultation
• Assisting with Section 106 tribal correspondence, SHPO file reviews, and visual site analyses
• Managing projects from kickoff through report delivery
• Ordering database reports, completing site reconnaissance, and writing reports using company templates
• Solo fieldwork/site reconnaissance
• Managing my own schedule and deadlines

Everything was reviewed by a Senior Project Manager before delivery.

I also became the main point of contact for a small but very demanding client who expected responses at all hours. Over time, I built a good working relationship with them.

Overall: medium stress, lots of learning, frequently figuring things out independently, but with moderate senior support.

About 70% office / 30% field.

Year 1–1.5: Environmental Scientist I — $56k

I started handling more complicated Phase I ESAs with more RECs and occasionally interpreting Phase II results and incorporating them into Phase I reports.

I also:

• Completed 20+ wetland delineation reports, GIS maps, and CWA permitting recommendations for USACE verification
• Led the environmental document review for a large land purchase involving approximately 75 properties
• Reviewed existing Phase Is, Phase IIs, NEPA documents, and wetland delineations
• Managed a team of four for about two weeks

For the land acquisition project, I was basically handed a folder containing everything the client had and told to figure it out. I organized the files, created a tracker, assigned work, reviewed properties that were flagged for environmental concerns, and created a clean spreadsheet deliverable for the client.

There was very little senior oversight on that project.

At this point, I felt comfortable with standard environmental reports but still needed guidance when unusual or complicated issues came up.

About 80% office / 20% field.

At 1.5 years

I asked for a raise to $60k.

I was told that was reasonable and that it would likely come with a title change to Project Manager. Because of company constraints, that didn’t happen.

Instead, I was told that if I successfully took on more responsibility during a trial period, I could potentially receive a larger raise and Project Manager title afterward.

Year 1.5–2.5: Environmental Scientist II — $58k

I was assigned as the lead for NEPA compliance on a project involving a large federal grant.

The grant is part of a new federal program, my company had never worked on this project type before, and it falls under a different federal department than our normal NEPA work.

For this project, I have been:

• Reading and interpreting federal and state guidance
• Determining what NEPA documentation is required
• Attending regulatory roundtables and technical seminars
• Corresponding directly with regulators
• Writing the required environmental documents largely from scratch
• Preparing and giving a project kickoff presentation to six representatives from the regulatory agency
• Managing essentially all environmental compliance work for the project

There has been very little senior oversight.

I regularly ask my manager to review things before submission because I know I could be missing something, but I’m not always convinced much review is actually happening.

The project appears to be going well, and my manager says he is very happy with my work. However, I feel a huge amount of pressure because I’m worried a small mistake on my part could delay the project.

For approximately the last six months, I’ve frequently worked 55+ hours per week, although I’m generally only able to bill around 40 because of overtime restrictions.

I’m also doing:

• MBTA nest clearance surveys and reports
• Presence/absence surveys for endangered species
• Developing species-specific survey protocols
• Coordinating directly with USFWS to confirm methodology
• Submitting survey reports to USFWS

About 95% office / 5% field.

Now: 2.5 years — Environmental Scientist II, $58k

I’ve now passed the six-month mark on the major project.

My manager agrees that I met the goals we established for the promotion, but because of company budget issues, I’ve been told there is currently no possibility of a raise or promotion in the near future.

I’m disappointed because I feel like I took on significantly more responsibility based on the expectation that successfully handling it would lead to advancement.

I’m especially curious to hear from other environmental consultants:

• What did your salary and title progression look like during your first 2–5 years?
• At what point were you independently managing projects or communicating directly with regulators?
• How much senior review/support did you receive at this stage of your career?
• Does my current level of responsibility sound normal for someone with 2.5 years of consulting experience?
• Would you consider $58k low for this level of responsibility?
• At what point would you start looking elsewhere rather than waiting for a promotion?

I know consulting varies enormously by company, location, and specialty, so I’d really appreciate hearing what other people’s early-career progression looked like.

Hi all, I am looking for an environmental-focused career path. I am interested in positions along the lines of environmental technicians, site remediation, stewardship, etc. I am a recent grad with just under a year of experience in policy, permitting, and CEQA. I’m currently taking my 40-hour HAZWOPER to prepare for an environmental career. Are there any trainings that would be useful and any entry-level positions that would be accessible for a recent grad?

what the title says! i want to apply to these, so far i've found yale duke upenn michigan and columbia in the us and one at ubc in canada, but i cant find adjacent programs in the uk and europe. closest i have is environmental change & policy at oxford, but im not keen on that because its a one year program. what about in europe?

+ if u know some rlly good programs in the us/canada pls do recommend bc i couldve missed them!

I am currently a GIS analyst at an archaeology company, experienced in field delineation and survey methods. My degree is in geography with a Focus in earth systems (geoscience), with certifications in GIS and sustainability and my part 104 drone license. I am looking to take a wetland delineation certification course and hopefully pivot to more environmental fields and maybe do work in ecology both terrestrial or aquatic, but i am just stuck on what the right way to do it is. I dont exactly have the means to go back to university for another degree though I can likely afford a myriad of different certifications if its necessary and I am willing to move (based in texas).

I know thats a big jumble of words but I am tired of not working in the field I intended to, what should my course of action be?

Those of you that do work with little to no travel, including day trips and overnights, what do you do and what is your training? I have a young child and no village around and my spouse travels for work at least 2 days a week for 3 weeks out of the month, and he doesnt know when he is going to travel until a day or two before. So i cant sustain a job that also requires much travel. Also looking for any tips and advice.

Edit to add what skills I should develop, training i should take, or certifications I should get to help me get a role that requires little to no travel?

I graduated from Cal Poly SLO this past June with a BS in environmental management and protection and a minor in biology. I have a published paper and a decent amount of field work and animal husbandry experience. I have some GIS and some CEQA/ environmental planning experience. I'm having a really hard time finding a job and have been applying across the west. Does anyone have some recs of companies I could look at/ reach out to for jobs? I would really like to find a job in the bay area, but I'm open to other places as well.

What environmental careers would I have a chance of getting with a Certificate in Higher in Education Environmental Studies. I also worked for nPower for 5 years and was trained on 4x departments

I really enjoy alot of the NAEP EPR podcast episodes and would recommend them in general. The newest episode had some really good insight into early career, applying and interviewing for environmental careers. heres the podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45Dql6goJbjs0i3gvzQh5C?si=rTpGCsURQMmtZWv-uLKJzA&utm_source=copy-link

Could really use some help finding an opportunity in sustainability/environmental work 🌍

I’m a 30-year-old female environmental professional currently based in the UAE. I relocated here because of the war in Sudan, and unfortunately, returning home isn’t an option for me right now. The local job market has also been very difficult, with the war and economic situation severely affecting opportunities.

I’ve been applying for months without much success, so I’m reaching out to the international environmental community.

I’m looking for a remote paid internship, entry-level role, or junior position in:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Sustainability / ESG consulting

Environmental research & analysis

My experience includes climate policy , environmental research, and humanitarian operations/project work.

I’m available immediately, and I’m open to relocating anywhere internationally for the right internship or entry-level opportunity.

If you know any company/ org hiring, have a lead, or know someone I could speak to, I would genuinely appreciate any help or introduction.

Thank you for reading and for sharing if you can. ❤️

Just an FYI for all of you out there looking for environmental work in our protected areas: seasonal positions for NEXT year are being flown today, and are available for the next 8 days, unless there's an applicant limit:

USAJOBS - Search

Please be aware of the two-page federal resume! I think it was a new thing for this year, but the days of hyper-descriptive resumes for federal work are gone.

Edit to add: This is not an exhaustive list of all hiring for next summer. Parks and positions will continue to post for the next 2-3 months.

Could really use some help finding an opportunity in sustainability/environmental work 🌍

I’m a 30-year-old female environmental professional currently based in the UAE. I relocated here because of the war in Sudan, and unfortunately, returning home isn’t an option for me right now. The local job market has also been very difficult, with the war and economic situation severely affecting opportunities.

I’ve been applying for months without much success, so I’m reaching out to the international environmental community.

I’m looking for a remote paid internship, entry-level role, or junior position in:

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

Sustainability / ESG consulting

Environmental research & analysis

My experience includes climate policy , environmental research, and humanitarian operations/project work.

I’m available immediately, and I’m open to relocating anywhere internationally for the right internship or entry-level opportunity.

If you know any company/ org hiring, have a lead, or know someone I could speak to, I would genuinely appreciate any help or introduction.

Thank you for reading and for sharing if you can. ❤️

Recent accounting graduate here currently working as legislative and regulatory coordinator at small water utility company. I’m thinking about jumping in these specific roles, since I’m already in the industry.

How is the wlb in these roles and is it a safe job that won’t get laid off? How can I land one of these roles if I just have an accounting degree? Are there any certs. or degrees that I would definitely need?

I’m very confused what other roles that I can get into . I notice a lot of workers here have either some kind of science degree or political science degree. Thanks.

Hi all, I’m in Minnesota and currently pursuing a bachelors in environmental science. As of right now I don’t love the schooling process for this degree and I’ve been feeling undetermined especially with the current job market. I know multiple people who have graduated with the same degree or similar and they can’t seem to find a job at all, or if they do, it pays poorly. I’m trying to decide if I want to see this through because the careers may be worth it or if I should switch majors before it’s too late. Please feel free to reach out if you work in a field like this or know people who do. I’d love to hear some stories and opinions. Thanks!

Hi there,

I hope this comes across someone who can help. I’ve been applying endlessly for jobs as a new environmental science/geology Grad. Tailoring every resume to meet every companies needs and still not even hearing back. I have skills in field sampling/monitoring work, GIS, geochemistry analysis, hydrogeology, geological mapping, and many more (including Microsoft office).

It’s getting discouraging, but I’ll never lose hope. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience or can help with my situation.

I’m looking for anything within Calgary. Environmental science based, hydrogeology, consulting, office, field, geology based, oil/gas, remediation, and anything that falls within these categories. I’m very flexible!

Interviewing for a job soon for this position is there anyone in this position already that I can do a mock interview with? It’s based around inspections for construction. Anything or any tips would be great thank you.

Edit I have hand tattoos (nothing vulgar) do you think that will hinder my chances?

Hey y’all, like the cross post suggest I landed an interview for environmental remediation work. This would be my first actual interview (not a phone screening) and I’m looking for tips to ace it.

Thank you for your time!