Career opportunities Environment and Development
In the UK graduates can use their degree to find employment that's not necessarily related to their degree subject. This is because the employer is looking for the skills they have developed through their academic study, rather than a specific subject.
Given the increased competition for graduate positions, it is important to consider a range of occupational areas. Bear in mind that many careers require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.
We advise you to thoroughly research your career choices as early as possible, particularly in relation to experience required, differences relating to where you live, or where the study choices you make may affect future opportunities.
Professionals with a degree in this subject area can find employment across the range of public, private and voluntary sectors, including:
- civil or diplomatic service
- environmental consultancy
- environmental education
- environmental management
- environmental policy
- governmental and non governmental bodies (national and European)
- information systems
- journalism
- nature conservation
- overseas development
- research.
Job roles related to this subject area include nature conservation officer, countryside manager, environmental manager, environmental education officer, waste management officer, Foreign and Commonwealth officer, civil servant, diplomatic service officer, journalist, European Union official, immigration officer, international aid/development worker, volunteer coordinator, community development worker.
New career areas such as environmental auditing and assessment; environmental management; and environmental engineering are emerging. It is predicted that environmental management and resource efficiency is to become fully integrated into many jobs, in much the same way as health and safety and equal opportunities have already been.
If you are thinking of a career in international development, a combination of qualifications and practical experience is usually essential. There may be roles in administration, advocacy, fundraising, research or relief work. Experience is most readily obtained through voluntary work. International development is now very high profile, largely due to campaigns such as ‘Make Poverty History’.
Useful links
You should also research various government sites for policy, developments and projects regarding this sector.
You'll also find information about general job vacancy sites, work experience and volunteering at:
Postgraduate Study
Many graduates undertake further study on completion of their first degree and/or after gaining relevant work experience. Reasons for doing so include wanting to explore an aspect of their studies in more depth, to further or change their career, because a specific postgraduate qualification is either an entry requirement for their chosen career or would be an advantage if entry is competitive.
Generally, postgraduate study can provide opportunities to work in higher education and for graduates in Environment, Development and International Studies in particular it can lead to opportunities in areas such as environmental management or consultancy, environmental engineering or auditing, nature conservation, environmental education, journalism and international aid/development work.
There are a range of environment, development and international studies related OU postgraduate study options, including both taught and research awards, on topics such as environmental management, conflict and human rights and development.
It's important to thoroughly research postgraduate study options as this will help you make the right choice for you. This would include checking you can afford it as the way you pay for postgraduate study is different to how undergraduate study is funded. On the Prospects website you can search postgraduate courses, and find information on funding postgraduate study.
