Career Compass: Environmental Science

Year 1 - 30 credit hours 

Course requirements:

ENVR 1000 and ENVR 2000, BIOL 1020 and BIOL 1030, CHEM 1100, CHEM 1110 and CHEM 1120, MATH 1500, STAT 1000 or STAT 1150 and ECON 1010

To do this year: 

1. Know the requirements for your degree. Meet with an academic advisor in the Riddell faculty and faculty members to help you plan your program.
2. If you need academic support, visit the Academic Learning Centre for workshops or to meet with a learning skills instructor. 

Year 2 - 60 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. What plan should I follow? Meet with an academic advisor in the Riddell faculty and career consultant to map out your options.
2. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
3. Consider applying to the Co-op option.
4. Consider taking a minor and choose courses that will open opportunities. 

Year 3 - 90 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
2. Consider focusing your education by choosing an area of specialization and selecting courses within your focus area (4-year option).
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor in the Riddell faculty and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

Year 4 - 120 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
2. Consider focusing your education by choosing an area of specialization and selecting courses within your focus area (4-year option).
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with a Riddell advisor and declare intent to graduate in Aurora. 

Year 1 - 30 credit hours 

Start planning your career:

1. Meet with a career consultant to generate career ideas based on your interests, values, personality and skills.
2. Research occupations that match your skills and interests using ECO Canada.
3. Utilize UM Connect to view job postings and register for workshops and events.
4. Access the UM Experiential Learning Catalogue to explore involvement opportunities on campus. Throughout your studies, access your Experience Record to track and reflect on your competencies.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours 

Make professional connections:

1. Join the Career Mentor Program to learn from professionals.
2. Attend career fairs to connect with employers.
3. Become a student member with Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), the Canadian CED Network, the Wildlife Society, the Environmental Studies Association of Canada (ESAC) or ECO Canada.
4. Develop professional connections with professors by applying for an Undergraduate Research Award.

Market your skills: Attend resumé/cover letter and interview prep workshops.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours 

Course requirements:

Refer to the Academic Calendar to view the courses for your program of choice in the faculty.

To do this year:

1. Meet with a Riddell advisor for program approval prior to registration.
2. Consider focusing your education by choosing an area of specialization and selecting courses within your focus area (4-year option).
3. Confirm eligibility to graduate with an academic advisor in the Riddell faculty and declare intent to graduate in Aurora (3-year option).

Year 4 - 120 credit hours 

Start job search 9 months in advance: Contact Career Services to refine your job search and self-marketing strategies. You can visit the office up to 6 months after graduation.

If you are continuing on to a professional program or graduate school: Finalize your application materials and required tests. Use the awards database to search for funding and awards to help finance your continuing education. Contact your department to find out how their awards deadlines are advertised.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours 

Link experiences to your career interests. Options include: 

1. Join a club or association such as UM Parks Club, Society of Earth Sciences and Environmental Students (SESES), or become a Sustainability Ambassador with the Office of Sustainability.
2. Community associations including Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), Manitoba Eco-Network.
3. Student work opportunities including Work-Study, STEP Services or Federal Student Work Experience Program.
4. Experiential education opportunities such as UM Community Volunteers. 

Year 2 - 60 credit hours 

Explore student research opportunities: Apply for an Undergraduate Research Award or NSERC USRA, inquire about research assistant positions or submit a project proposal through Sustainability Research in Action.

Gain practical experience by volunteering: Check out the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Manitoba Eco-Network, Fort Whyte Farms and the University of Manitoba.

Find opportunities to market yourself: Attend a conference through MEIA, submit a paper through ESAC or become a board member in the community.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours 

Continue or start research: Participate in the Undergraduate Research Showcase.

Check out student job opportunities with: UM Connect, the Eco Canada Employment Programs, the University of Manitoba Sustainability Office, Ducks Unlimited, Green Team, Manitoba Association of Watersheds or the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).

Assess your resumé: Identify any gaps in experience and fill them through volunteering, work placements or internships such as the Science and Technology Internship Program.

Year 4 - 120 credit hours 

Use your networks and connections: Inquire about unadvertised job openings (the “hidden job market”).

Ensure you have references in place: Ask your professor for a reference or a letter of recommendation if you're applying for graduate school.

Search for job opportunities online: Check out Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA), Environmental Careers Organization Canada, WorkCabin, Manitoba Eco-Network, Environmental Career Center, GoodWork, Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet), CharityVillage, Government of Canada jobs and Manitoba Government jobs.

Cultural experiences offer valuable exposure and learning opportunities that help us engage with and appreciate the diversity in our communities and future workplaces. Learn more about Indigenous and International communities at the University of Manitoba.

Year 1 - 30 credit hours

Engage in intercultural experiences: Visit the International Centre website to learn more about volunteer opportunities for UM students. Engage in Indigenous cultural learning by attending Indigenous events on campus.

Indigenous Student Programming: If you’re an Indigenous Student, explore supports and programs at the Indigenous Student Centre.  

Interested in studying abroad to gain intercultural experiences and skills employers want? Visit the student exchange programs website and book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator to learn more. Also learn about a full year abroad experience through McCall MacBain International Fellowships.

Year 2 - 60 credit hours

Applying for an international exchange program?  Students apply almost one year in advance of their exchange. Book an appointment with the student mobility coordinator on the exchange programs website to start the process.

Participate in cultural learning opportunities on campus: Participate in Indigenous learning opportunities such as Fireside Chats, Tea with Auntie, Indigenous Studies Colloquium, and other events within your faculty. Your active and respectful participation is welcome at Indigenous ceremonies on campus. Please note that some ceremonies are confidential spaces; feel free to ask about cultural protocols. 

Join a student community: There are many student groups at UM, including those that represent a wide variety of cultures and communities - the UM Indigenous Students’ Association (UMISA), UM International Students' Organization, and many more!  

Looking to learn a language? Visit the Language Centre for a variety of resources and join the Language Exchange program or Language Partner Volunteer Program.

Year 3 - 90 credit hours

Develop global career skills and expand intercultural learning: Participate in the Intercultural Leaders program to enhance cultural awareness and develop intercultural skills for a variety of settings, both in and out of the classroom. Participate in 8 sessions with topics on leadership, self-awareness, intercultural competency, communication, conflict resolution and more.  

Volunteer at the International Centre’s Welcome Mentors program and/or Graduation Pow Wow.

Engage locally: Learn more about the Treaty Relations Commission of Manitoba and your responsibility as a Treaty partner. Enroll in Community Engaged Learning programs; Indigenous students may wish to explore programs such as Land and Water: Land-Based Education. 

Year 4 - 120 credit hours

Expand your knowledge on Indigenous culture and protocols, including developing your own Territory Acknowledgement. Explore resources provided by Canada's National Research Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and take part in the educational programming offered during Truth and Reconciliation Week!

Industries such as agriculture, land use development, conservation, mining, oil and gas, education, environmental non-governmental organizations, government and tourism would value an environmental science degree in combination with the employability skills that are highly sought after by employers. These include:*

• Problem solving
• Critical thinking
• Numeracy and data use
• Oral and written communication
• Industry specific knowledge
• Teamwork
• Digital literacy
• Continuous learning 

Use the UM Competencies Framework to reflect on skills you’ve developed throughout your academic and extracurricular experiences.  These may be discussed with employers during interviews and within your resumé/CV. 

*Information has been adapted from Employability Skills 2000⁺ and Workplace Education Manitoba – Essential Skills.