Career Pathways and Internships

The career pathways for students majoring in Environmental Science and Environmental Justice and Sustainability are countless. As an interdisciplinary field of study, students can take any number of paths toward meaningful work and lifelong learning.

The prospects for environmental- and sustainability-related jobs are high, consistently growing at a rate much faster than average at 8% compared to the average growth for all occupations of 4% and with a median wage nearly double that of all occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Just some of the many career options are listed below.


  • Wildlife Biologist
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Protection Specialist
  • Public Health Specialist
  • Geographer
  • Ecologist
  • Forester
  • Conservation Officer
  • Sustainability Specialist
  • Energy Expert
  • Land Steward
  • Environmental Manager
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Geologist
  • Water Quality Scientist
  • Air Quality Scientist
  • Climatologist
  • Agricultural Engineer
  • Bioinformatics
  • Climatologist
  • Ecologist
  • Entomologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Marine Biologist
  • Oceanographer
  • Paleontologist
  • Seismologist
  • Zoologist
  • Food Systems
  • Environmental Educator


  • Environmental Economist
  • Environmental Justice & Advocacy
  • Sustainability Officer
  • International Development
  • Environmental Lawyer
  • Urban Planner
  • Urban Designer
  • Agricultural Systems Specialist
  • Environmental Policy Maker
  • Transportation Systems Specialist
  • Energy Systems Designer
  • Safety Coordinator
  • Environmental Communications
  • Climate Resiliency Planner
  • Water Conservation Specialist
  • Biodiversity Protection Specialist
  • Community Organizer
  • Program Manager
  • Environmental Educator

 

Internships by Former Students

The internship requirement in our curriculum helps our students explore careers and build job skills. Listed below are some examples of the internships that Environmental Science and Studies majors have completed.


  • LG&E and KU Energy
  • Louisville Nature Center and Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve
  • Louisville Zoo
  • Louisville Metro Office of Sustainability
  • Microanalytics 
  • Earth and Spirit Center
  • Botanica and Louisville Waterfront Gardens
  • Falls of the Ohio State Park
  • Mammoth Cave State Park
  • Olmsted Parks Conservancy
  • ORSANCO (Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission)
  • Kentucky Waterways Alliance
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • The Parklands of Floyd's Fork
  • Center for Neighborhoods

Click for more information on the Bellarmine Internship Guarantee.


Career Development Resources