Less than 15 percent of our students continue their studies in graduate school before seeking a full-time job. There will be a shift from air and water pollution control equipment to hazardous waste management service industries because of the reauthorization of the Superfund in 1987. In the next five to ten years, ERM graduates will find more opportunities in toxic waste management firms. Opportunities with consulting firms and the service industry also are growing rapidly. Employers look for a number of technical skills and personal traits in graduates, including oral and written communication skills, problem-solving skills, the ability to understand risk assessment, familiarity with environmental regulations, and conflict resolution.
ERM graduates are readily employable.
The complexity of today's land uses requires trained specialists with problem-solving abilities in applied biology, ecology, environmental quality, economics, and management. State and federal governmental agencies and private employers foresee a continuing demand for employees who can prepare and evaluate environmental impact statements, develop integrated plans for multipurpose uses of natural resources, and analyze complex environmental and pollution problems. As we become increasingly serious about the environmental consequences of industrial development and enforcing pollution controls, the demand for specialists will increase. The shift from a national to a global awareness of the interdependence of problems creates a demand for graduates with an interdisciplinary background. Graduates qualified in environmental management and pollution control will find positions with development and regulatory agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.