FROM STUDY TO SKILLS
The Earth and Environmental Sciences study the formation and evolution of the Earth, and how the heat deep inside the Earth continually reshapes our landscape. It studies how the Earth’s climate and environment have changed in the past and will continue to change. As an earth scientist, you will use the physical and biological sciences to study the dynamics of the Earth and understand how we can use its resources and how we affect its environment.
This study is growing increasingly urgent. The rising human population makes it more difficult to improve standards of living for all people. The demand for resources — energy, metals, fresh water, and fertile soil — is growing sharply. Exploration for new energy and mineral deposits depends on a workforce that understands the geological processes that form them. The extraction and utilization of these resources often can place the environment at risk, which jeopardizes human health and prosperity. At the same time, population growth and climate change affect the availability of fresh water, while natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, wildfires, droughts and floods have increasing impact.
The study of the Earth and its environment is highly interdisciplinary and draws heavily from related fields such as physics, chemistry, atmospheric science, oceanography, engineering, ecology, microbiology, botany, mathematics, statistics, and archeology.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Research Skills
Applying scientific method to real-life problems
Understanding the interactions between the earth and its environment
Collecting data in the field
Studying the interplay of short and long term processes
Analytical / Problem-Solving Skills
Analyzing data
Learning how to deal with uncertainty and ambiguity
Computer modeling of scientific data
Analyzing Internet information critically
Synthesizing information and building conceptual explanations
Project Development Skills
Integrating knowledge from multiple disciplines
Applying classroom knowledge to field projects
Finding solutions to complex problems
Working as a member of a team
Communication Skills
Presenting complex problems clearly
Using scientific language and reporting methods
Writing proposals and research reports
Designing effective presentations
Negotiating between conflicting viewpoints
BUILDING YOUR SKILLS OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Employers seek out individuals who can demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills, teamwork and interpersonal skills, initiative, and a strong work ethic. One way to develop such skills is through Geoclub, a student-run organization in the department, which coordinates K-12 outreach, student presentations of research, and recruitment events.
EES is strongly field based and offers several opportunities to develop field-based skills at our off-campus facility, Camp Davis, near Jackson, Wyoming, as well as through field trips to international (e.g., Scotland, New Zealand, Iceland) and national (e.g., California, Texas, Florida, Hawaii) destinations. In addition, the department has a strong tradition of involving undergraduates in research projects with our faculty, which allows students to test out a career field and develop marketable skills.
FROM SKILLS TO CAREER
The Earth and Environmental Sciences concentration prepares our students for highly adaptable and versatile careers in the energy, mining, and environmental consulting industries, as well as for employment in academia and government. In addition, the degree provides a fertile foundation for careers in education, law, and business.
Many of our concentrators go on to graduate or professional school. The list below is a sample of careers undertaken by our graduates.
Research
Seismologist 
Volcanologist
Oceanographer
Mineralogist
Paleontologist
Astronaut
Research scientist
Petroleum geologist
Analytical / Problem-Solving
Environmental consultant 
Geologist
Soil scientist
Environmental lawyer
Professor
Water exploration scientist
Energy consultant
Nuclear waste specialist
Earthquake mitigation expert
Project Development
Environmental engineer
Environmental planner
Urban planner
Curator
Eco tour guide
National park scientist
Landscape architect
Communication
K-12 teacher
Politician, federal, state, and local government
Journalist / environmental writer
National park ranger
Nature center outreach coordinator
= Green Jobs = Further Study Required
For more career information, see O*Net at http://online.onetcenter.org/
CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences offers a single, highly flexible concentration, with an Honors option. The degree requires two introductory-level earth science courses. One has an emphasis on the solid earth and the coupling between its interior and surface. The other has a focus on the interactions between the hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere. For the core curriculum, there is a set of eight courses from which at least four are selected. A field course at Camp Davis is also required. Three faculty members act as undergraduate advisors to help students make optimal use of the flexible nature of the concentration program.
The Department additionally offers minors in Earth Science, Environmental Geology, Oceanography and Paleontology. It also has a joint LSA-Engineering degree program in Earth System Science and a highly competitive fifth-year Master’s program.
Earth and Environmental Sciences
2534 C. C. Little Building
1100 North University Avenue
734-764-1435
http://www.lsa.umich.edu/earth
Newnan Advising Center
1255 Angell Hall
734-764-0332
www.lsa.umich.edu/advising
NEXT STEPS / RESOURCES
For more career information for Earth and Environmental Sciences students, see:
www.lsa.umich.edu/earth/undergraduate/careeropportunities
To begin connecting to professionals in fields that interest you, create your own LinkedIn account:
www.careercenter.umich.edu/article/getting-started-linkedin
To identify internships or job opportunities, visit Handshake: https://careercenter.umich.edu/article/handshake
On-campus jobs (work-study and non work-study jobs) are listed at:
https://studentemployment.umich.edu/JobX_Home.aspx
Maize Pages list hundreds of organizations for students to get involved in: http://studentorgs.umich.edu/maize
The Career Center
3200 Student Activities Building
734-764-7460
www.careercenter.umich.edu
www.facebook.com/careercenter.umich
http://twitter.com/careercenter
The Career Guide series was developed by the University of Michigan Career Center, Division of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. ©2011 Regents of the University of Michigan