What Can I Do With a Major In Environmental Health Science?
Environmental Health students may pursue their interests in the areas of environmental protection, industrial hygiene, or public health. Environmental health scientists are in demand by private industries, consulting firms, governmental agencies, and institutions. A wide range of opportunities for employment exist in corporate environmental and occupational health departments, public health agencies, solid and hazardous waste management, general sanitation engineering, and pollution control. Environmental health scientists are employed in programs of water and air pollution control, industrial hygiene, occupational health and safety, and a variety of other activities by a significant number of agencies and commercial concerns.
You can choose between the Environmental Health Science Major with the Environmental Health Science Major Track (Advanced Science and Pre-Med) OR Environmental Health Science Major with an Area of Emphasis in Public Health Practitioner.
- The Environmental Health Major Track prepares students for graduate-level work or professional school. Examples might include pre-master’s of science, pre-PHD, pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, or pre-law.
- The Public Health Practitioner (PHP) Area of Emphasis prepares students for graduate-level work or employment in the field of public health. Courses include obtaining certifications that will make students competitive in the job market: HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste) and HACCP (Food Safety).
** Includes Self-Employed
CAMPUS CONNECTIONS
- College of Public Health
- Student Organizations through Involvement Network
- Connect with your Career Consultant for help with job searching, resumes, interviewing skills, career options, applying to grad school, and much more.
FINDING RESEARCH
- On-Campus: use the UGA Career Guide for templates and guidance on reaching out to faculty to gain research experience, the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO) at UGA can also support you in finding research opportunities.
- Off-Campus: Research Experiences for Undergraduates offered through the National Science Foundation and ORISE Fellowships offered through the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education are great options. The Career Center can help you prepare your materials for research fellowship applications. You can also search for research internships and full and part-time positions in Handshake.
PRE-HEALTH STUDENTS: The UGA Career Center offers support specifically for you through Pre-Health Appointments, which can be scheduled through Handshake.
The Career Center can help you:
- explore roles in healthcare
- prepare application materials
- prepare for interviews
- navigate growth years.
You can self-enroll in our Career Development Resources eLC for Pre-Health Students for helpful information that you can access from anywhere at any point. If you have questions specifically about GPA, application walkthroughs, and prerequisite course requirements for professional programs, schedule an appointment with the Pre-Professional Advising Office.
Career Spotlights from My Next Move:
- O*NET Online – The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with over 900 occupations.
- My Next Move – An interactive tool for students and job seekers to learn more about their career options.
- Occupational Outlook Handbook – The OOH is a career resource offering information on the hundreds of occupations that provide most of jobs in the United States.
- Vault – Vault.com provides in-depth intelligence on what it’s really like to work in an industry, company, or profession – and how to position yourself to land that job.
- Candid Career – This resource provides you with access to thousands of informational video interviews with real professionals through an easy-to-use website.
- UGA Mentor Program – Connect with a mentor (alumni, faculty, staff) to research and explore industries and careers. Research industries and careers by connecting with a mentor for a quick chat or formal 16-week mentorship through the UGA Mentor Program.
- Interstride - Interstride is an interactive tool for both international and domestic students to enhance their international experience and employment potential. The platform consists of job-listings, hiring trends, employer information, self-assessments, and up-to-date immigration guidance.
- Glassdoor - Glassdoor is a free jobs and career community that offers an inside look at jobs and companies through "employee generated content" – anonymous salaries, company reviews, interview questions, and more – all posted by employees and job seekers.
- Steppingblocks - Research your future career with real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with career and education searches designed to find your best path based on millions of others.
GENERAL
- Handshake (job board for UGA students to apply to full-time, part-time, and internship opportunities)
- LinkedIn (networking platform with a public job board)
- Idealist (non-profit jobs)
- USAJobs (federal jobs)
MAJOR/INDUSTRY SPECIFIC
- American Industrial Hygiene Association
- American Public Health Association
- Association for Environmental Health and Sciences Foundation
- Georgia Environmental Health Association
- National Center for Environmental Health
- National Environmental Health Association
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- National Safety Council
- Society of Toxicology
The information below represents employers and position titles from the Class of 2024 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Employer | Position Title(s) |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Workplace Health and Safety Specialist | Atlanta Center for Dermatologic Diseases | Medical Assistant | Cass County Health Department | Environmental Public Health Specialist I | Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | ORISE Fellow - Division of Viral Hepatitis | City of Savannah | Clean Energy Program Coordinator | Epic | Project Manager | Georgia Environmental Protection Division | Intern | Hasty Pope, LLP | Legal Assistant | Peace Corps | Peace Corps Member | Strack Incorporated | Civil Estimator |
The information below represents graduate/professional schools and programs reported through the Class of 2024 Career Outcomes Survey. To view historical Career Outcomes for this major, click here and select "Historical Data" from the navigation menu.
| Graduate School | Program(s) |
|---|---|
| Athens Technical College | Interdisciplinary Studies, Associate's | Emory University | Environmental Health, MPH | Georgia State University | Public Health, MPH | Georgia State University | Public Health, MPH | University of Georgia | Public Health, MPH | University of Georgia | Forestry and Natural Resources, MS |