What can you do with a Environmental Studies degree from California State University-Sacramento?

First, some facts. Of the Environmental Studies graduates from California State University-Sacramento 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Great! Overall, with an average relevance score of 89%, Environmental Studies graduates from California State University-Sacramento have a substantially higher likelihood (+22%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 89%
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, only 20% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Environmental Studies graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Environmental Studies graduate from California State University-Sacramento and our analysis:


Relevance score: 71%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from California State University-Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Environmental Studies. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Park Aide
California State Parks
Apr 2021 - Oct 2021
The Park Aide position directly involves environmental management and conservation tasks, aligning closely with the core knowledge and skills gained from a degree in Environmental Studies.

Watershed Conservation and Land Use Advocate
Foothill Conservancy
Oct 2021 - Sep 2022
As a Watershed Conservation and Land Use Advocate, the job heavily relies on environmental policy and conservation practices, which are fundamental aspects of the Environmental Studies program.

Cone Corps Nursery Technician USFS Placerville Nursery
Sierra Nevada Alliance
Oct 2022 - Present
While the Cone Corps Nursery Technician position at the USFS involves environmental work, it may not utilize the comprehensive breadth of skills and knowledge acquired during the Environmental Studies degree on a daily basis.

ABOUT

I am a motivated Environmental Studies graduate with forestry, environmental advocacy, and wildlife rehabilitation experience. I am passionate about protecting the Sierra Nevada for generations to come and preserving the character of the communities within it.

What jobs can you get with a Environmental Studies degree from California State University-Sacramento?

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


Looking at the jobs held by graduates from California State University-Sacramento with a degree in Environmental Studies, it’s clear that a decent number of them have taken roles that really connect with the field. Many of these graduates have landed positions like Environmental Scientists, Biologists, and Technicians, where they actively apply the ecological and environmental skills they honed in school. This includes work in wildlife conservation, ecological assessments, and even environmental policy at places like the California Energy Commission. Internships and entry-level positions in research and environmental monitoring also seem to be quite common, which makes sense given that many graduates start their careers in roles that help them gain essential field experience.

However, it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. Some graduates found themselves in jobs that don’t directly relate to Environmental Studies, like maintenance roles or pest control, which may only require some basic ecological knowledge. Overall, while there certainly are a variety of jobs reflecting a strong tie to the environmental field, it’s apparent that not every graduate is directly working in a position that fully utilizes their specialized education. But for those who landed in relevant roles, they’re likely doing some exciting work that contributes to environmental conservation and sustainability!

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

What kind of career trajectories do Environmental Studies graduates from California State University-Sacramento have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the Environmental Studies program at California State University, Sacramento seem to have diverse career paths, especially in their first few years after college. Many of them kick off their careers with internships or entry-level positions that are directly related to environmental science, biology, or conservation, like working as interns at various environmental organizations or taking roles with government agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It’s common to see them being hired as biological technicians or environmental scientists fairly soon after graduation. They tend to transition into more specialized roles like Environmental Planner or Sustainable Business Program Manager as they gain more experience, usually within five years. This shows that graduates are often able to find relevant jobs early on, which is a promising sign for new graduates considering this field.

Looking further down the line, around ten years post-graduation, many alumni appear to have established themselves in solid positions within the environmental sector. They often hold titles like Senior Environmental Scientist, Biologist, or even specialized roles like Consulting Utility Forester. It seems that the connections and experience gathered through internships and early jobs provide a good foundation for advancement in their careers. However, there are also instances where individuals have had to shift gears into less directly related jobs or short-term roles, suggesting there can be some bounce-around in employment, especially in the early job market. Overall, while not every grad has a straight path to a high-level job, many are managing to stick to careers relevant to Environmental Studies, which holds a lot of potential for making an impact.

How hard is a Environmental Studies degree from California State University-Sacramento?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies at California State University-Sacramento is pretty manageable, especially if you're interested in the subject. It's not typically one of the hardest degrees you can pursue, but it does come with its challenges, like completing group projects, research papers, and some science courses that might require a bit of math or analysis. If you're passionate about environmental issues and enjoy working on sustainability projects, you'll probably find the coursework engaging rather than super tough. Just make sure you stay on top of your assignments and don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it, and you should do just fine!

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 Studies.

Do Environmental Studies graduates from California State University-Sacramento tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Environmental Studies graduates from California State University-Sacramento, it seems like they’ve had a pretty mixed bag in terms of earnings. Many of the earlier career paths started with internships and lower-level positions like maintenance helpers or taxonomists, which typically don’t pay well, especially right out of school. However, it appears that as time went on, many of them transitioned into more specialized roles like environmental scientists and planners, which usually pay better. Those who landed jobs at government agencies or well-established consultancies seem to have stabilized their income over the years, while some others have been juggling multiple on-call positions, which might mean inconsistent pay. Overall, while the entry-level gigs might not have been anything to write home about, it looks like a few have climbed the ladder and are making decent money now—especially for a field that’s all about promoting sustainability and environmental care!

What buzzwords do Environmental Studies 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 Studies (this is across all Environmental Studies graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to California State University-Sacramento). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Environmental Studies?

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

College Score Count
California State University-Sacramento 89 10
University of Vermont 72 21
University of California, Santa Barbara 69 24
University of California, Santa Cruz 59 31
Florida State University 57 10
University of Washington 57 13
UC Santa Barbara 57 15
University of Oregon 56 13
University of Colorado Boulder 53 24