What Can I Do with an Environmental Studies or Environmental Sciences Degree?

Like other degrees in Liberal Arts Social Science or Humanities, Environmental Studies or Environmental Sciences can be used for careers in government, the nonprofit sector, research stations, and environmental consulting. Our graduates have pursued opportunities within universities, Departments of Ecology and Natural Resources, Parks and Wildlife, municipalities and many environmental organizations. Some students will consider a Sustainable Business minor (see the course catalog) from the School of Business Administration. The intention is to have these courses work together across disciplines to give students the necessary background in both business and environmental studies. The program is also preparation for graduate study.

Where have Environmental Studies grads gone after graduation?

Gonzaga's Environmental Studies and Environmental Sciences Majors have placed students into a wide area of graduate, governmental, and environmental positions. Below is a sampling of some of the career opportunities recent Environmental Studies grads have chosen to pursue:
  • Alaska Pacific University, Environmental Science
  • Creighton University School of Medicine
  • Lewis & Clark Law School
  • Oregon State University, Environmental Science
  • Oregon State University, Public Policy/Environmental Policy
  • Oxford University
  • Texas A&M University, Behavioral Ecology
  • University of California Irvine, Evolutionary Biology, Ph.D.
  • University of Kentucky, Entomology, Ph.D.
  • University of Washington, Evans School of Public Affairs
  • University of Washington, School of Law
  • University of Utah, Parks, Recreation, and Tourism
  • University of Copenhagen, MSc in Climate Change
 
  • City of Salem, OR
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
  • Spokane County Department of Natural Resources
  • Washington State Department of Ecology
 
  • Bay Area Climate Corps, San Francisco, California
  • Catalina Island Marine Institute
  • Catholic Charities of Spokane Vinegar Flats Community Farm
  • Friends of Cedar River Watershed, Seattle, Washington
  • The Lands Council
  • Northwest Earth Institute, Portland, Oregon
  • Northwestern Energy, Bozeman, Montana
  • Save Our Wild Salmon
  • University of Idaho, Lab Researcher
  • Upper Columbia United Tribes, Biological Field Technician, Washington
 
  • Fair Trade USA
  • J-U-B Engineers, Inc.
 


Alumni Spotlight

Maddie Sontag sitting in the senate chamber looking forward and listening.

On the Job with the Washington State Legislature

Maddie Sontag '24, shares her hands-on experience as a Washington State Legislative Intern and Session Aide, learning the intricacies of how a bill becomes a law.

Alumni Jordan Cruz holding a large Walleye fish in front of a body of water.

Environmental Studies Grads Get Outside

Jordan Cruz '22, works for the Get Outside Colorado program, leading school groups, creating community events, even participating in the annual walleye spawn, spawning over 12 million eggs in under three weeks.

Want to Contact the Environmental Studies & Sciences Department?

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502 E. Boone Ave, Box 52
Spokane, WA 99258