Environmental Science

In yesteryears the concept of environmentalism was a foreign one to many of us; however the dawn of social responsibility and recycling is very much shining on us all and in the race to become more energy efficient there is a colluding emphasis placed on the importance of environmental science. So if arguing the ins and outs of the Kyoto Protocol is your pick for some light dinner conversation then read on...

Current Climate
Professionals are sought to implement government initiatives in pollution control, and energy conservation at both national and EU level; making it a great and exciting career choice for graduates. There is a growing demand in industry, business and state agencies for graduates in the environmental sciences. Career opportunities exist in the areas of environmental monitoring and analysis, environ-mental management, environmental technology, planning and conservation, alternative agricultural enterprises, restoration, ecology, teaching and other fields.

Know Your Place
Environmental scientists are concerned with scientific aspects relating to the environment and deal with subjects such as chemistry and biology.

Environmental engineers deal with technological aspects and in particular the design and use of equipment to control and monitor the quality of our environment.

Environmental officers make sure that sound management practices, which support plant and animal life, are in place.

Show Me The Money
Earnings for graduate entrants start around €20,000 to €25,000 plus a year. Experienced workers would earn a lot more, rising to €45,000 over time.

Some environmental scientists work within educational institutions, as lecturers and researchers. Assistant lecturer wages usually start at €25,000 a year, a lecturer earns between €32,000 to €58,000 a year, depending on experience and length of service. A senior lecturer can earn from €60,000 to €90,000.

Top Tip
Environmental scientists usually work with a range of other professional and technical staff; most workers choose to specialise in areas such as Biology or Chemistry making them a more attractive potential employee.

Further Resources
Environmental Health Officers’ Association
39A Main Street
Bray
Co Wicklow
Phone: 01 276 1211
Web: www.ehoa.ie
Email: secretary@ehoa.ie

Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Custom House
Dublin 1
Phone: 01 888 2000
Web: www.environ.ie
Email: press-office@environ.ie

Enfo
Phone: 01 676 1167
Web: www.enfo.ie
Email: info@enfo.ie

Environmental Protection Agency
PO Box 3000
Johnstown Castle Estate
Co. Wexford
Phone: 1890 335 599
Web: www.epa.ie
Email: info@epa.ie

Repak Limited
Red Cow Interchange Estate
1 Ballymount Road
Clondalkin
Dublin 22
Phone: 01 467 0190
Web: www.repak.ie
Email: info@repak.ie

EEA Information Centre
European Environment Agency
Kongens Nytorv
DK-1050 Copenhagen K
Denmark
Phone: 0045 33 36 71 00
Web: www.eea.europa.eu