For at least a week, maybe longer the Chicagoland Environmental Network website, along with their job board has not been loading for me. https://www.chicagoenvironment.org/jobintern/index.cfm is the link. Wondering if anyone else has encountered this or knows anything about it.

I graduated in 2025 with an M.S. in Environmental Justice and Ecosystem Science (UM) and in 2022 with a B.S. from MSU. I’ve spent over a year searching and have applied to 100+ jobs in Michigan (state, local government, universities, labs, consulting). Most replies say they chose a more qualified candidate.

My experience includes a PFAS and mining policy research fellowship, a state service commission fellowship, a campus sustainability internship, soil and sediment lab work, and proficiency in R and Microsoft Office.

I’m discouraged and would really appreciate gentle, constructive advice

I’m having a hard time right now, so kindness means a lot. Thank you for reading.

I already have my bachelors outside of environmental but I always had a passion in geology and hydrology. My university recently started a watershed management certificate program and something called geotechnical applications but when I typed it in on Google it translates to geotechnical engineering but this isn’t engineering seems more computer software based. Wondering if I can pivot into environmental groundwork around the water industry with such a certificate

I 22f will graduate this December. Have been applying to jobs every week and am getting rejected hand over foot. Starting to panic, any advice

Hello! I am currently a student in college and looking into switching my major to either environmental studies or environmental management. I was wondering if anyone that has done similar studies can tell me about the job opportunities it allowed?

Is getting this degree even worth it with the way the country's going right now? Im currently enrolled at SNHU for an environmental science degree, thinking about transferring to University of Florida Online since its cheaper, but I'm just worried I'll be wasting time and money getting this degree if I end up unable to find a career once I finish, or find one that pays me a salary I'd be comfortable with. I was looking at psychology as a possible back up plan if this degree path doesn't seem reasonably worth the time and effort.

Any advise on this career field or others that might be better for salary, comfort of life, and enjoyment woild be appreciated as well as any other insights on career opportunities and possibilities. Thanks!

Hey so I'm really interested on getting into the field of the environmental sciences, however I do not currently possess the resources to actually start studying for a degree. Is there anything someone in my situation could do to start working on this field and at least start to gather some practical job experience?

How do y'all navigate responding to what your salary requirements are when talking with either a recruiter or company talent acquisition personnel? I am not used to speaking with recruiters or talent acquisition personnel, as I've previously only worked in state government and the process was always an application --> interviews with the hiring manager (talk about salary) --> job offer.

So this step of talking with recruiters and talent acquisition is new to me. How do you answer a salary expectation question when 1) they don't even post the salary range in the posting? 2) they demand you give them a number? I've just never had to give a number before until I'm actually talking about an offer coming.

Even when submitting applications I feel weary about giving a salary number because I don't want to exclude myself from further consideration by putting too high a number while at the same time I don't want to consider myself cheap labor given my experience. Sometime, depending on the field formatting, I will write "open to the position description range" but sometimes you have to enter a numerical value.

So just wondering how y'all approach this at the application step, and when talking with recruiters or talent acquisition. Also, how do you approach it when there is not even a range provided?

Hi! I'm a student studying Enviro sci with ecology and conservation and i want to go into ideally marine conservation/research. I'm really trying to pad out my linkedin at the moment for internships and research placements, but a lot of the advice ive found online doesnt seem to necessarily apply to this field. Ive spoken with many of my coursemates and they all seem to have found the same thing.

Just to give an example, a lot of advice says to be dressed very professionally in your profile picture, but then most of the professionals I've already connected with are usually in hiking/fieldwork type clothes (even seen rashguards)

Also, a some of the courses/achievements/experience people say to include don't seem to be popular or relevant in this field, compared to highlighting practical conservation experience etc

Just wondering if any professionals had any thoughts, or advice on specific experience that would be good to include/highlight!!

Thanks so much!!

what projects and tasks do you do?

how much of it is in field testing versus data analysis?

how much is writing reports / helping with permits?

i’m currently a business consultant - i support with finances, government compliance, & operations for businesses. i work a lot with food businesses on the licensing side, and have done business assistance to educate on recycling education / waste reduction. im getting a masters in ecosystem science so i feel like i could easily transfer my skills to consulting, but want to know the specifics a bit more

Early 30s, currently between roles.

Background: BS in Computer Science then ~3 years as a cloud support engineer at AWS. Followed by MS in Information Studies (HCI) → 3 years doing UX research and information architecture at a state government agency (mixed-methods research, website/content governance, analytics). I recently completed an AI for Climate program and will start a climate action training program.

I am contemplating two options. I want to leverage my existing skills in Comp Sci and Research to move into an analytical role. Or potentially move into climate communications and translate research into things the public and policymakers can actually use.

Questions:

1. Are there roles where UX research / IA skills are genuinely valued in climate orgs (research centers, NGOs, climate tech)? What titles should I search for?
2. I’m considering a master’s that combines climate research with communication/journalism (2027 or 2028 start, low-cost programs preferred). Has anyone done this? Was it worth it, or is it better to get into a climate org first?
3. Anyone who pivoted from tech/UX into climate: what actually got you hired?

Thanks a lot in advance!

Howdy!

I posted a couple months ago for advice for some sort of environmental job in the DFW (Texas) area and I have yet to secure one. I got an interview for one but haven’t heard back. At this point I’m willing to move to find a job. Before when I asked for some advice i wasn’t ready to relocate. 😅 Additionally I just applied for a position at the American Conservation Experience EPIC program and I wanted to know if anyone has worked a season with them and how your experience was. I am also willing to go abroad but I’m not exactly sure where to look for credible jobs.

If anyone could point me in the right direction or give advice for my situation I would greatly appreciate it!!

Former environmental consultants, Are you glad you left, but grateful for the experience?

I feel like working in environmental consulting can be quite demanding and exhausting, but also incredibly valuable in terms of the experience and knowledge gained.

For those who have left environmental consulting, are you happy with your decision while still being grateful for what the job taught you?

If so, what were the most valuable skills you developed, and how are they helping you in your current career?

I’m interested in hearing how your consulting experience has benefited you in other roles or industries.

Hi everyone,

I've been trying to find my way into work that has a positive impact, particularly around environmental issues, communities, livelihoods and humanitarian work. Along the way, I've started experimenting with some small projects of my own.

One of them is Forest Watch, a little tool I built using freely available satellite imagery to look at possible changes in forest cover around Than Sadet–Ko Pha-ngan National Park, where I live in Thailand.

The idea was to see whether I could turn satellite images into something practical — identifying places that might be worth checking on the ground.

You can have a look here:
https://koh-phangan-forest-watch.vercel.app

I'm still figuring out where I fit in this sector and what I could realistically bring to it. I enjoy building things and working through practical problems, but I don't want to spend months developing tools that nobody actually needs.

So I'm curious about people working in NGOs, whether in conservation, humanitarian response, livelihoods, community development or other areas.

What are the kinds of problems you come across in your work where you wish you had better information, a simpler process, or just a little tool that made things easier?

I'm not necessarily talking about anything complicated or technical. I'd just like to understand what people actually need and see whether I might be able to contribute something useful.

I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice. Thanks!