What can you do with a Environmental Science degree from Western Washington University?

First, some facts. Of the Environmental Science graduates from Western Washington University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 14 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Environmental Science graduates from Western Washington University have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 50% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Environmental Science graduate.

See the details:

View a random Environmental Science graduate from Western Washington University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 33%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2010 from Western Washington University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Environmental Science. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Administrative Assistant
Folkman Eye Clinic
Jan 2011 - Sep 2012
The role of an Administrative Assistant does not require any specific knowledge or skills from an Environmental Science degree, focusing instead on general administrative tasks.

AASI/PSIA Certified Snowsports Instructor
Vail Resorts
Nov 2012 - Apr 2014
Working as a Snowsports Instructor at Vail Resorts may relate to outdoor recreational skills and environmental appreciation, but it does not directly utilize environmental science knowledge.

Secondary Math Teacher
Albuquerque Public Schools
Aug 2014 - Aug 2016
The position of a Secondary Math Teacher does not involve environmental science knowledge or skills, as it primarily focuses on mathematics education.

Archives and Special Collections Graduate Employee
University of Northern Colorado
Sep 2016 - May 2018
As an Archives and Special Collections Graduate Employee, there may be some cross-over with environmental history, but the core qualifications are more historical or archival than environmental science-based.

Student Organizations Specialist
University of Northern Colorado
Sep 2017 - Dec 2018
The role of Student Organizations Specialist involves some knowledge of environmental initiatives but does not primarily utilize the specific training from an Environmental Science degree.

Student Activities Specialist
The University of New Mexico
Mar 2019 - Jul 2021
As a Student Activities Specialist, while there could be involvement in environmentally themed events, the core competencies needed do not directly stem from Environmental Science.

Catalog & Curriculum Specialist
The University of New Mexico
Jul 2021 - Sep 2023
The Catalog & Curriculum Specialist position may benefit from some environmental knowledge when developing pertinent courses, but it is more administrative than scientific.

Project Manager
Coursedog
Oct 2023 - Present
The Project Manager role at Coursedog focuses on project management skills without the necessity or application of knowledge from Environmental Science, making it unrelated.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Arts - MA
University of Northern Colorado
2016 - 2018
ABOUT

Experienced Higher Education professional with deep knowledge of SIS data and experience with custom integrations. Excellent at process improvement. Adept at translating user needs to technical requirements. Adaptable mindset, able to balance multiple priorities and projects in response to changing business needs.

What jobs can you get with a Environmental Science degree from Western Washington University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When diving into the career paths of graduates from Western Washington University who studied Environmental Science, it’s clear that there are a few standout roles in the environmental field. Many alumni have taken positions such as Biological Technicians, Habitat Restoration Technicians, and Wildlife Biologists, which closely align with their education and directly apply the skills learned during their studies. Jobs related to research and fieldwork with organizations like the Department of Fish and Wildlife and various conservation groups showcase the relevance of their academic background. These roles are heavily science-oriented and focus on real-world environmental issues, indicating a strong link between their degree and their job responsibilities.

However, not all positions held by these graduates are entirely relevant to Environmental Science. A noticeable portion of these LinkedIn users have gravitated towards roles that only tangentially connect to their studies, such as administrative positions, teaching roles, and even sales jobs. For instance, working as a QA Technician or in customer service roles like a Grocery Clerk doesn't leverage their environmental science knowledge in any substantial way. Overall, while there is a significant number of graduates employed in roles that are pertinent to Environmental Science, including field technicians and researchers, many have found themselves in jobs where their degree doesn't play a crucial role, highlighting a mixed bag when it comes to job relevance in their chosen field.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Environmental Science graduates (this is across all Environmental Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Washington University):

What kind of career trajectories do Environmental Science graduates from Western Washington University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the Environmental Science program at Western Washington University seem to have a pretty diverse range of career paths after they finish school. For a good number of them, it looks like the first job tends to be related to hands-on science roles, like research assistant positions or field technician jobs. Some even start off in internships that offer experience in ecological or wildlife conservation, which aligns well with their studies. For instance, a few grads worked as technicians or interns with organizations focused on habitat restoration or fisheries management right after graduation.

Fast forward five to ten years down the line, and you'll see a mix. A decent amount of these graduates have moved into more advanced roles within environmental organizations, such as becoming directors or managers, particularly in nonprofit sectors focused on conservation. However, it’s clear that not everyone has landed squarely in the environmental field long-term. Some have taken some detours into areas like education, teaching, or even unrelated fields altogether, like management roles in different industries. Overall, while many have pursued and maintained a path that’s relevant to Environmental Science, there are also quite a few who have ventured off into other career territories. It's a bit hit or miss, but there are definitely successful stories among them in terms of meaningful environmental work!

How hard is a Environmental Science degree from Western Washington University?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, whether at Western Washington University or somewhere else, can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It’s not a cakewalk, but it’s not the most brutal major either. You’ll be digging into both the science part—think biology, chemistry, and even some physics—along with policy and sustainability topics, which keeps things interesting. It requires solid study habits and a genuine interest in the environment, but if you’re passionate about it, you’ll likely find it engaging and rewarding. So, while you’ll definitely have to put in the effort, a lot of students find it manageable, especially if they connect with the material.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science.

Do Environmental Science graduates from Western Washington University tend to make good money?

Looking at the job paths of these Environmental Science grads from Western Washington University, it's kind of a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. Some of them have landed solid roles, like the guy who's now the Director of Operations at Stand.earth, which probably pays well given the level of responsibility. Others have started off a bit lower on the pay scale, doing internships or seasonal jobs that don't typically bring in the big bucks, like the wildlife and fishery technician roles. The ones who climbed the ladder in nonprofit organizations or moved into managerial positions likely see better salaries, while those still in technician or entry-level roles might struggle a bit more financially. So overall, it seems like some are doing alright, while others might still be trying to work their way up.

What buzzwords do Environmental Science graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science (this is across all Environmental Science graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Western Washington University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Environmental Science?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Environmental Science (ordered by the average relevance score of their Environmental Science graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 87 10
The Ohio State University 85 12
University of Vermont 68 13
University of Oregon 66 10
Western Washington University 63 14
University of Virginia 57 15
Oregon State University 56 11
Loyola University Chicago 56 11
Southern New Hampshire University 53 15
University of Phoenix 46 15
Florida State University 45 16