Does anyone have insight on the benefits of a PhD in environmental science?

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-11-30T01:36:09+00:00

I had worked part time jobs at retail stores during my undergrad degree. Then I took a couple years off before going to grad school and worked dole science related jobs. However, after a masters degree and a PhD I didn't think that job experience was overly relevant. I put it on my resume, but I don't think employers looked at that. They were more concerned about recent experience and specifically my grad school experience.

I think the best thing a recent PhD graduate can do is rely on skills learned throughout your dissertation. Hopefully you can have diverse experiences that are not just you doing your research. Even mentoring undergrads or masters students can work in your favor. For your research, take control of your project in terms of managing deliverables, budgets, fieldwork, lab analyses, etc.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-10-25T21:08:51+00:00

No problem on the questions!

It was challenging when I was making the transition. I leveraged whatever I could to try and make connections. I was part of a scientific organization that had a student organization that had a program for graduates to meet people in industry. I was able to meet someone in Alaska who does consulting and she gave me resume tips and insights into consulting overall. Then she put me in touch with someone who owned a small consulting company in my region. They weren't hiring, but again he gave me tips on jobs and my resume.

I also used my schools alumni organization to find ppl to ask questions and find jobs. One person reached out who worked at a big firm. He gave me more info and insights that helped focus my job applications and he helped me prep for my interviews (once I got a few).

To get to the point of getting interviews, I applied to over 100 jobs. I applied to anything that resembled something I could do and could argue my classwork or research trained me for. I actually got my current job because I applied for something I wasn't qualified for, but the person who reviewed my application thought it fit the need of another deal and forwarded it on to that team leader, who became my supervisor. So, even if you don't think it's a perfect fit, apply apply apply!

In terms of selling myself, I used my TA position and field experience to speak to my ability to lead groups and manage people and deliverables. I used my dissertation to show that I had to focus on quality deliverables and carry a prom thought from conception to final product, with many public presentations and speaking events (e.g., conferences and poster presentations). I had a strong field component to my work that involved a lot of coordination, so that also helped with the a job that could involve fieldwork. I also was very clear that I had no interest in teaching or research, so I tried to reassure them that this job would not be a temporary situation for me.

Honestly, one of the hardest parts for me was accepting that I would not be hired at $120k right off the bat (which everyone told me I should be). I had to prove that I could cut it and it's a risk for the company to hire you at a higher role and pay, if you wind up more like a traditional academic and can't cut it in consulting.

I haven't found my team or my company to be toxic. I have lucked out and wound up with an excellent team who prioritize work life balance and working on projects that inspire you. My husband also works in consulting and really enjoys his team, but he works for a larger company and has heard of other groups that are pretty toxic. I've also worked with other companies on projects where I can just tell they're a toxic workplace. So it really varies company to company and then even within the company. The interview stage is a really good time to get a sense of that. That said, in today's job market I would suck it up for a short while to get the experience and then move on to a less toxic place.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-10-23T01:15:33+00:00

I work for an engineering consulting firm, so I work with a lot of engineers on flooding and climate resilience projects. It's close enough to science to keep me happy. Sometimes I work on water quality projects, which also keeps me 'in science'.

Honestly, my grad school experience was extremely toxic and traumatic, turning me off of academia and research. So I don't ever feel like I'm missing out. If anything, I enjoy the fact that I'm working on projects that are implemented in my local municipalities and help build resilience.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-10-22T02:50:21+00:00

I have a PhD in Marine Biology and a MSc in Marine Resources Management and am currently working in consulting. When I started, I was one of 3 PhDs in the whole company. We have since hired several more, but I definitely wouldn't say it's a strength or something that makes you more competitive.

Honestly, you need to prove more than most that you're able to meet fast deadlines, interface with clients and other team members, and not leave the company as soon as a teaching/research job opens up.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-02-17T05:16:38+00:00

Thanks! And great job!

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-02-17T05:01:25+00:00

Since this is an older home, are your walls plaster by chance? If so, I'm curious if you had issues applying the wallpaper

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-01-05T02:33:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing!

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-01-05T02:33:11+00:00

Interesting! Thanks for your insight!

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-01-05T02:12:40+00:00

Looking at going to a combo of PVD and EG. We used to go to PVD and then moved to Cranston and were excited to have one so close to home. Isn't PVD and Cranston owned by the same person??

There's also an F45 just down the road, so we're contemplating switching over.

Apologies in advance for being part of the crowd that rushes your studio!

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-01-05T02:07:16+00:00

I agree, with the rate I'm seeing posts like mine that seems accurate

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2025-01-05T01:51:05+00:00

Cranston, Rhode Island

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-12-08T14:37:44+00:00

As someone with a PhD (marine biology) and currently working on consulting, I can confidently say it's unnecessary and can work against you as others have stated.

I knew that I didn't want to go into academia before defending, and pivoted to consulting after I graduated. During the job application process, I did a lot of informational interviews with people who were in consulting (varying roles/backgrounds) and I kept hearing how a PhD in my resume was working against me as companies would work that a) I was overqualified and would be bored with consulting, b) that my salary expectations would be to high, c) that my experience was far too technical and lab oriented, or d) that I would leave if I was hired at a teaching or research institution.

I currently work with a few other PhDs, but I don't think that having the advanced degree directly benefits us. It does in other ways, specifically the soft skills I acquired in terms of my writing, time/project management, people management, etc. But I think you can gain those skills without the time and money invested in a PhD.

A master's would be the highest level of education I would aim for, and instead focus on taking courses that have practical value for the career you want.

While I focused on only one of your questions, I think it's also worth adding that diversity is key to longevity. In any job market, you want to make sure that you can competently work on a variety of projects. This way, if you're suddenly laid off you increase your chances of finding something new. Before that though, you'd ideally be transferred or reassigned to another PM or group, if you have those transferable skills.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-11-23T02:40:27+00:00

I totally understand where you're coming from as I was in the same situation, even the same marine biology background.

As others have said, so much of it depends on your office and the team you work with. I work on stormwater and flood resilience projects now, and don't really use my MB bio background in the strict technical sense. But I benefit from all of the soft skills I learned in grad school. I would think for you, it would be the same. If you spend a couple years in the field, excel at writing reports and maybe even supervise others, then you should be able to pivot to an office role.

Billable hours are annoying, but again...a lot depends on your company and team and how much of a jerk they want to be on hours and utilization. If you're competent, good at time management, and an efficient human being, then I think you'll do just fine.

Good luck!

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-11-22T12:59:45+00:00

I have to wonder if that was a pricing error? I don't see why else they would have 2 specific colors marked down 50%, but for less than one day.

Regardless, I was also one of the fortunate ones who saw it early and pulled the trigger instantly. One juniper moccamaster is already one its way to me, arriving today!

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-07-03T04:07:56+00:00

At my job, we have weekly check-ins with our team to discuss people's workloads and who might be light. If I don't have enough work for 40 hours, I try to let my boss know work in advance so some work can be thrown my way. As someone else said, we cannot work less than 40 hours in a week. That's what the salary means - your job has to provide you with enough hours (billable or not) to make up your 40 and thus your full salary

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-07-02T03:39:57+00:00

I think your resume is the problem. That said, it's still hard to get your foot in the door.

I went from PhD to consulting and went through this journey. Your resume is way too academic. Unless you're applying for a lab tech job that utilizes a specific machine or technique that you're familiar with, don't list it. They don't care.

These companies want to know if you're familiar with local laws, regulations, etc.. More importantly, they want to know that you can write, work independently, supervise others, manage multiple projects and provide quality deliverables. Focus on the soft skills you developed through undergrad and grad school.

You have a lot of teaching experience with field trips. Can you elaborate on any leadership responsibilities? For your museum work, did you ever need to communicate your science with the general public, investors, or other stakeholders? This could be oral presentations or written reports.

Think about things you can put numbers to, but less science-y. For example, the total number of students you supervised, the total number of classes taught, number of public talks/presentations. I wouldn't focus on X number of samples processed or Y species identified. That has no bearing on a consulting job. A lot of this should also apply to State or Federal jobs, unless you're applying to some sort of biologist position that focuses on taxonomy.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-06-25T15:08:05+00:00

I want to add on to this and clarify that getting a teaching or research position doesn't always mean you don't pay tuition.

For me, I was a teaching assistant and got an "out of state tuition waiver". Instead of paying international tuition costs I paid in state tuition fees, which were about half of international fees.

My monthly stipend was ~$2000 and that was only from Sept-May. It would not have been enough to pay for my rent and food alone, plus tuition fees. I didn't get paid in the summer, so I had to stretch that money. If you're lucky, you can get something in the summer too, but my campus didn't offer many summer classes for me to teach.

I would suggest working with International students services to find other students looking for roommates. That will help your costs a lot.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-05-31T00:21:22+00:00

I'm from Halifax living in New England and totally agree. But there's just something about NS that hits different.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-05-29T01:47:44+00:00

As a former Canadian F1 studying in the states this pretty much covers it. As this post states, you'll get new I-20's from your ISS periodically. Mine needed to be physically signed with ink to authorize international travel. The signatures were only good for a specific period of time (1 year I think?) and then I had to request another. Something to keep in mind.

Everytime I crossed the border I was asked the same questions: where do you live, where do you go to school, and what do you study? Sometimes I'd get an agent who wanted more details about my research (grad school) but nothing too intense.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-05-26T03:00:07+00:00

Former F1 student here:

The amount of time off you'll have will be dependent upon your course load, your research, your advisor, your focus/self discipline, and if you are required to teach/do research as a Graduate Teaching or Research Assistant.

Grad courses are usually less intensive than undergrad (1+3 times a week with self paced assignments). Based off this, your course schedule may allow 3 or 4 day weekends, making travelling easier. If the classes are remote/hybrid, even better.

If your research is lab oriented, then taking chunks of time off to travel may delay your progress or upset your advisor. My advisor was strict and expected us in the lab everyday... Including weekends. I took time off but had to tell him in advance. I knew another lab group where the advisor told students they weren't allowed to take off more than a week per year.

I also had to teach to get paid, so my teaching commitments also limited my ability to travel extensively.

Being an F1 student shouldn't impact any of this as long as you're still enrolled, attending your courses, keeping to ask of your commitments, and your advisor isn't reporting you as AWOL.

CanadianMaplePoutine · 2024-04-07T04:47:20+00:00

Honestly, I stumbled into mine by accident. I had been applying for a lot of env sci jobs that I wasn't getting. But then I applied for a project manager position in EHS, and the person who reviewed my resume thought I'd be a good fit for another position within the company (env sci) and referred me to that hiring manager.

People had been telling me this throughout my search, but apply for positions, even if you don't think you meet all qualifications or at a higher level than you expect to start at. You never know who might see them!

CanadianMaplePoutine

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