Environmental science is one of the most interdisciplinary STEM fields, encompassing a suite of disciplines: physics, biology, geography, ecology, chemistry, plant science, zoology, mineralogy, oceanography, limnology, soil science, rocks, water, ecosystems, biosphere, geology/physical geology, and atmospheric science. It integrates these fields to provide a further understanding of Earth’s ecosystems and attain solutions to environmental complications. Presently, it provides a holistic, quantitative, and interdisciplinary modus operandi to the study of environmental systems, through harnessing IoT data. Environmental science couples the social sciences to further elucidate human relationships, and policies towards the environment + provides design and technology for providing environmental quality in all aspects. Environmental scientists aim to provide a deeper understanding of Earth’s physical, chemical, biological, and geological processes, and to use that knowledge to understand how issues, such as alternative energy systems, pollution control, and mitigation, natural resource management, and the effects of global warming and climate change influence and affect the natural systems and processes of Earth.
PSU EnvironMentors provides professional development and research-based experiences that prepare students, especially underrepresented minorities, for Environmental Science-related post-undergraduate professional programs (e.g., law, medical, graduate school) and careers. PSU EnvironMentors places great emphasis on one of the vital components of the futures market – that is, Data Science and Analytics and hybrid work modality, such that student participants are prepared to have sustainable careers in emerging and technically demanding occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (Check Here & Check Here) indicates that the Environmental Science job growth is on par w/ US mean job growth of 7% and can be as high 11% (2020-2030). As of May 2021, the median annual wage for Environmental Scientists was $83,680. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $48,880, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $172,490. In May 2021, the median annual wages for Environmental Scientists in the top industries:
- Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction ($119,210)
- Federal government, excluding postal service ($103,960)
- State government, excluding education and hospitals ($81,700)
- Architectural, engineering, and related services ($77,750)
- Management, scientific, and technical consulting services ($76,270)
Through a major emphasis on Data Science and Analytics, PSU EnvironMentors prepares students for this high demanding future market. Data Science and Analytics has a 22% projected job growth (2020-2030). The median annual wage for computer and information research scientists was $131,490 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount, and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $74,210, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $208,000. In May 2021, the median annual wages for computer and information research scientists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
- Computer systems design and related services ($161,870)
- Software publishers ($152,940)
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences ($152,940)
- Federal government, excluding postal services ($112,310)
- Colleges, universities, and professional schools; state, local, and private ($79,510)
Environmental and Data Science/Analytics jobs have a high degree of flexibility (additional or irregular work hours with on-site/lab and field work), where most work full-time w/ options for remote/hybrid work modality.
