Environmental and Field Biology

ENVIRONMENTAL and FIELD BIOLOGY MAJOR. Students studying in this area are pursuing careers with industrial firms, consulting firms and governmental agencies. Students liked the idea of an interdisciplinary program which draw concepts from several different fields. Environmental issues are found in all kinds of fields, from geology and biology to public policy and law, Ohio Northern University offers Environmental Studies major and minor programs.

But what exactly is Environmental and Field Biology Major?  Connects key concepts from many disciplines in an environmental context, providing a framework for the study of ecosystems and human interaction with the Earth. Environmental challenges face every business, agency and institution - from the decision of whether to recycle junk mail at the smallest two-person office, to the decision of how to cost-effectively comply with complex environmental regulations in big industry. Part of the idea of majoring in Environmental Studies is to be better prepared for a wide array of challenges.

The environmental profession often requires cooperation and negotiation between very different groups with very different, sometimes conflicting interests (for example, between regulators, the regulated, and citizen watchdogs). It is important to be open-minded and willing to compromise. One valuable tool is to learn to see the other party's perspective, to understand why they are so adamant about a certain point, and to use that understanding to your advantage while solving the issue.

Environmental and Field Biology  students learn that the various fields of science, technology, and human relations are interrelated on many levels. Decisions made in one field are invariably felt in another. For example, when scientists and policymakers work to pass new environmental legislation, the new laws may raise costs for consumers or the higher cost of complying may mean a loss of jobs - these issues will be taken into consideration when laws are made, and lawmakers will work to "soften the blow" for their constituents.  Environmental problems can be found anywhere in the world. In many ways, the so-called developed nations are far ahead of the rest of the world in terms of remediation and prevention of environmental disasters.  However, in poorer areas of the world, where the immediate needs of humans often supercedes those of the environment, pollution and injustice can run unchecked for decades. Environmental Studies graduates are needed to come up with innovative and effective solutions to these kinds of difficult problems.

DEVELOPING YOUR INTEREST & EXPLORING FUTURE CHOICES?  While at Ohio Northern University you will be studying the various opportunities within your discipline.  To help students in this field and make it more advantageous to them job shadow during your freshman and sophomore years and then their senior year complete a one quarter internship or two-quarters of job co-op experience.  These opportunities are invaluable to the student near graduation.   Internship opportunities in the past have been to Speedway Corporation; National Forestry Service, Oregon; Alloway Labs, Lima OH; Grand St. Marys Park, Celina OH; Fisheries Research (IFR) Ann Arbor Michigan; and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Folkston Ga.  Co-Op opportunities have been to Speedway Corporation.  

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL and FIELD BIOLOGY DEGREE?
Research is imperative. Go out and talk to people that have graduated and find out what they do. Your advisor or other instructors can be valuable resources. Start looking early, develop a winning resume, get some good references, and you'll be well on your way to a great job. You should also consider the job market in the area you want to live; are there jobs that you want? Is there anything you can do to tailor your experience to increase your chances of landing a good job?

Environmental issues are found in every kind of workplace. As awareness of these issues grows, the need for people with a blend of science and policy knowledge will also grow. Environmental and Field Biology graduates can expect to find careers as environmental planners, analysts and policy-makers. Of course, you can also work for a corporation, managing their compliance with environmental regulations and conducting audits of internal environmental efficiency (EE). "[W]e're seeing that employers are interested in hiring people who can understand multiple perspectives, who are able to bridge the gap that can exist between scientists and policy makers, and who bring a wide variety of problem solving skills to any situation.

If you have any questions at any time, please see your advisor, or contact the Department Chair, Terry Keiser, Meyer Hall, Room 118 at 419-772-2327 or by email at t-keiser@onu.edu.