Our Students

Our students are diverse, creative, solutions-oriented systems thinkers who go on to work on wicked environmental problem solving

Our Environmental Analysis Majors and Environmental Studies Minors have a broad array of interests but they all share a passion for environmental issues, an interest in interdisciplinary study, and a desire to make a tangible impact on climate change, conservation, and sustainability. Many students are drawn to our major’s flexibility and its ability to combine scientific understanding with social and humanities perspectives, preparing them for a variety of environmental careers. Our students are preparing for complex challenges and an evolving job market, particularly in the context of climate change.

"I chose to pursue this major because I have an interest in natural conservation particularly of resources but I also wanted a more people/social focus. I am passionate about Environmental Justice. I wanted to explore different environmental classes to find my niche. I knew the issue I wanted to pursue, but not the angle from which I wanted to pursue it."

"I choose to study the environmental analysis major out of pragmatics. I could see that climate change was going to be a defining feature of life during my career. Thus, this degree makes me employable, even if I study the same things in my other major."

"I have always had a very deep passion and love for nature and wildlife. It wouldn't have made sense to pursue anything else. This major aligns with me spiritually."

Resources for career pathways and networking

Center for Career Engagement Environment & Sustainability Corner
Center for Career Engagement Technology, Data & Engineering Career Community
Center for Career Engagement Government, Policy & Social Impact
Center for Career Engagement Events Calendar
Alumni WashU Sustainability Network and affiliated LinkedIn Group
WashU CNX official online networking platform where alumni and current students share experiences and expertise, ask questions and find answers, and help each other grow.

Advice from a Senior

Academic Planning and Course Selection

"Plan your courses early, ideally in your first year, since the major is credit-heavy and many classes have limited offerings. Explore broadly across disciplines, then identify a focus area to gain deeper expertise. Consider double majoring or adding a minor in a complementary field (e.g., economics, computer science, GIS) to build marketable skills. Prioritize skill-building courses (e.g., GIS, research methods, data analysis, literature review) in addition to conceptual courses."

Engage Outside the Classroom

"Pursue internships, research, volunteer work, and community engagement early to gain hands-on experience. Get involved with campus groups like the Office of Sustainability, Tyson Research Center, or a student club. Connect with the broader St. Louis community for real-world context beyond campus."

Build Relationships and Community

"Build strong connections with faculty by engaging with their research and seeking mentorship. Form relationships with peers, including upperclassmen, to share experiences and foster community. Join clubs and student groups to enhance learning, find leadership opportunities, and deepen your network."

Resilience and Well-being

"Manage climate anxiety by finding healthy outlets and practicing self-compassion. Stay present and confident by focusing on solutions, engaging deeply in class, and embracing hands-on learning."

What can you do with an Environmental Analysis major?

Our alumni work in an incredibly diverse array of fields. Overall, the career paths of our alumni demonstrate the versatility and direct applicability of the Environmental Analysis major across public, private, and non-profit sectors, with a strong emphasis on roles addressing environmental and sustainability challenges.

Environmental and Sustainability Roles: Many alumni work directly in conservation and natural resource management, holding positions such as Wilderness Advocates, Nature Reserve Stewards, Environmental Technicians, Land Stewards, Environmental Scientists, Senior Ecologists, and Forest Adaptation Specialists. Some also work as Naturalist Tour Guides or in sustainable agriculture as Farm Interns or FARMS Apprentices.

Environmental Policy and Planning: Alumni work as Climate Change Specialists, Planners, Policy Principals, or in environmental policy think tanks. They might also manage environmental projects or focus on waste prevention. Within sustainability, roles include Sustainability Consultants, Climate Strategy Coordinators, Sustainability Outreach coordinators, and those focused on sustainable design or engineering.

Business and Finance: Many of our students who believe there is a different way to do things are passionate about environmental solutions at the nexus of sustainability, business, and entrepreneurship. A significant number of alumni pursue careers in consulting, often with an environmental, energy, or economic focus. This includes roles like Associate Consultant, Management Consultant, Energy/Sustainability Consultant, Commercial Analyst, Economic Consultant, and Business Analyst. In finance and investment, alumni work as Wealth Management Rotational Analysts, Investment Banking Analysts, Financial Analysts, or Finance Rotation Program Analysts. Some also enter sales and marketing roles .

Government and Public Service: Alumni are involved in government roles at various levels, including positions related to the US Army, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other federal, state, or city departments. The major also serves as a strong foundation for legal careers, with alumni becoming Attorneys, Law Clerks, Judicial Law Clerks, or working as paralegals and legal assistants.

Technology and Data Analysis: With a strong emphasis on quantitative skills, alumni work as Data Analysts, GIS Specialists/Analysts, Data Scientists, and Software Engineers.

Education and Research: Many alumni enter academia and research, serving as Assistant Professors, Research Associates/Assistants, or Laboratory Technicians. Others become teachers, including High School Math Teachers or Math and Science Teachers

Non-Profit and Community Engagement: Alumni also contribute to the non-profit sector, taking on roles like National Coordinators for environmental movements, Program Coordinators, Outreach Coordinators, or Executive Directors for various organizations,

Healthcare: A smaller segment of alumni works in healthcare, with positions including Chief Resident, Resident Physicians, and medical laboratory technicians.

Where can you work?

Alumni are employed by a wide range of organizations, including:

• Environmental and Conservation Organizations: Examples include Columbia Riverkeeper, Hava & Adam, Missouri Botanical Garden, Meridian Institute, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, and Wildlands Environmental.

• Government Agencies: Such as the US EPA, NOAA, and various city or state departments like the DC Department of Transportation (potential) or Orange County Public Works.

• Energy and Utilities Companies: Including GE Vernova, WattShift, Lighting Recycling, EDP Renewables, and Invenergy LLC.

• Consulting Firms: Examples include Bain & Company, Ducker Carlisle, PWC, Guidehouse, NERA Economic Consulting, Analysis Group, Tetra Tech, WSP, McKinsey & Company, and ICF.

• Financial Institutions: Like Morgan Stanley, Guggenheim Partners, JPMorgan, and Osso Capital.

• Technology Companies: Such as Datadog, Epic Healthcare Systems, Microsoft, and NVIDIA.

• Research and Academic Institutions: Such as Yale University, Oxford University, USC, University of Montana, Montana State University, and Washington University in St. Louis.

• Law Firms: Including ArchCity Defenders, Morgan Lewis, and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.