Category Archives: Careers & Specialties

International Environmental Science Programs: Study Abroad, Field Schools & Research

International environmental science programs offer students field research, internships, and volunteer opportunities across six continents. Options range from accredited university exchanges (often covered by financial aid) to paid research positions and field schools costing approximately $3,000-8,000 for 4-12 week experiences. Most programs require 6-12 months advance planning for applications, visas, and funding. Whether you've been…
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Environmental Science Articles and Journals: Your Complete Resource Guide

Environmental scientists access current research through peer-reviewed journals (rigorously reviewed by scientists before publication) like Environmental Science & Technology and Journal of Environmental Engineering, while daily news comes from sources like Environmental News Network and ScienceDaily. Graduate students focus on specialized journals in their field, while undergraduates benefit from accessible sources like Scientific American that…
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How Radiocarbon-14 Dating Works

Radiocarbon dating measures the decay of carbon-14 isotopes in organic materials to determine their age, typically within a range of 55,000-60,000 years. Developed in the 1940s by Willard Libby, this method revolutionized archaeology, environmental science, and climate research by providing accurate dates for wood, bone, pollen, and other organic remains. Today's Accelerated Mass Spectrometry (AMS)…
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Is Environmental Science Really a Good Major?

Environmental science is a strong major choice for 2026, with median salaries of $80,060 and projected 4% job growth through 2034. The field combines biology, chemistry, geology, and policy to address real-world environmental challenges, preparing graduates for careers in consulting, government agencies, conservation, and research with approximately 8,500 annual job openings nationwide. When prospective students…
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The History of Climate Change Science

Climate change science traces back to the 1820s when scientists first proposed the "Ice Age" and "Greenhouse Effect" concepts. The field evolved from 19th-century fossil fuel concerns to modern climate modeling in the 1990s. Today's environmental scientists build on 200+ years of atmospheric research, ice core analysis, and computer modeling to understand and address global…
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What We Wish We Had Known before Majoring in Environmental Science

Environmental science students consistently identify four critical areas they wish they'd understood before starting their major: the foundational importance of chemistry across all specializations, the competitive nature of introductory science courses, the long-term value of professional networking from day one, and the significant adjustment required for university-level science education. These insights come from hundreds of…
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