Education · 1 of 5

The path

A four-year science degree, then learn the regulations on the job.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Chemistry, biology and as much math as you can stand. A summer outdoors job helps more than it sounds.

2. 2

   Bachelor's degree

   4 years

   Environmental science, geology, chemistry, biology or environmental engineering. Two years at a community college then transferring is the cheap route and employers do not care.

3. 3

   Field and lab experience

   During the degree

   Summer internships, a state agency co-op or a professor's research project. Hiring managers look at this before they look at your grades.

4. 4

   Entry job

   2 to 4 years

   Staff scientist or field technician at a consulting firm or agency. You learn sampling protocol, chain of custody and how permits are written.

5. 5

   Master's degree or a credential

   2 years, often part time

   Optional, but it is how most people move from collecting data to running projects. Many employers pay for it.