Environmental Communication:

What Can You Do with a B.S. in Scientific & Technical Communication with a Degree Focus of Environmental Science?

CONTENTS:
INTRODUCTION METHODOLOGY RESULTS DISCUSSION CONCLUDING ADVICE & RECOMMENDATIONS WORKS CITED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
P.1 P.2 P.6 P.9 P.10 P.13 P.15

WRIT 3001 Fall 2012 Authored by: Jay Kovach

INTRODUCTION:
What is the purpose of this report? The purpose of this report is to explore careers that focus on the environment and communication. Originally, I had planned to look specifically at where my planned degree in Scientific and Technical Communication with a focus on Environmental Science and a minor in Sustainability could take me. This intense specificity was too confining, making the search for information difficult. Admittedly, the frustration overwhelmed me at first but when I starting using environmental communication as my searchstring, I was overwhelmed by something new, data. The range of careers and possibilities available to anyone with a mastery of communication tools and a substantial knowledge base in environmental science is often limited only by the opportunity-seekers imagination. As Kevin Doyle said in an interview, If youre working creatively with the people that matter on something important, youll never have to worry about finding work, (2003). And never before has the demand been so high for environmental science to be brought to the general public, (Jenny A. & Tom S., 2012).

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METHODOLOGY:
What approach was used to collect information? I almost always, as in this project, use a process of adaptive, reflective researching. I search the Internet (e.g. forums, libraries, chat rooms, and other, seemingly-infinite content repositories), books, periodicals, and any other relevant sources I can find and then make sure that everything is in hardcopy for ease of access and note taking. I then read everything I have found, making sure to write down as many of my thoughts that occur as I read the document. I record reactions, grammar or spelling corrections, edits on format or punctuation, notes on epiphanies, questions about the facts presented and the person who assembled them, and whatever else that happens to come to mind. It makes it more interactive and it creates more connections between data nodes. Once I digest the data I assess whether or not I need more. I usually do this by establishing the beginnings of a reference page, but not always. I will always fully assemble and go over my reference page right before I begin drafting as it refreshes all the research I have done in my mind.

If I needed more information I did another search. I adapt the search parameters and its focus depending on what I have learned so far. When I started this project, I was focused on the specific degree requirements that I must meet for my own education but after limited success I knew I had to change my search criteria. I started focusing on the content of the coursework in the degree and established a mental catalog of the skills that would be nurtured during the course of my academic pursuits. The process continued when I saw I still did not have enough information for the report and had to again adapt my searching technique. I did this several
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times, the absorption of information followed by the refining of the depth, scope, and focus of my search and then searching again. I examined the careers of alumni of STC and related degrees, searched through current job postings for those looking for the skill sets the education provides, read blogs for personal accounts from people who held the applicable positions, and more. The two words that I used for my last search were environmental communication and it was the most fruitful of all attempts.

What are the benefits and limitations of the research? I do feel that having a larger number of diverse sources that contain similar data has a triangulation effect as an indicator on the accuracy and truthfulness of the data, like performing a laboratory experiment over and over to improve the accuracy of the results. I think that this is a positive for me. I read and learn about a lot more relevant subject matter than I can put in a works cited and I often do it daily. Communication and environment are two of my passions. That being said, I think I should try to better verify my sources, explore different formats for receiving information, and try to use the Internet as a vehicle for information more instead of an origin for the information. The greatest limitation of the research was time available to do it. I am thorough and effective in my research but it is time consuming and requires planning. I have had to make sacrifices in the quality of my work on this report in order to finish it in a reasonable time frame. This was due to impairments out of my control that affected my communication and focus capabilities. The long-term and positive aspect of all this is the quality information base that I have begun to establish that I can continue building outside of the classroom.

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Next is Figure 1, a simple comparison of my sources in a table form, and then my analysis of that table.
Figure 1

SOURCE: CRITERIA:
Educational Network Government Organization Commercial Print(able) Video Audio Good Unknown Skeptical Vehicle of Retrieval Origin of Retrieval

1
X

6
X

7
X

9
X

10

11
X

12
X

13
X

14

15

Source Format Reputation Internet

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What is Figure 1 telling me? I am considering including this as part of all my future research endeavors, or something like it. It is useful to analyze your data with another perspective. In regards to information sources, I am happy with the range of sources but I could have included some government ones. I see a deficit that is a little disconcerting in the areas of formatting and the Internet - these areas suffer from a major lack of diversity. I feel I should explore other information venues, such as video or audio, and I should also try and keep my mind open to modalities that I havent even considered. I should also consider separating Print(able) into Printed Writing and Digital Writing. I also feel, in regards to the Internet section, I need to explore the concept of content generated for the Internet and information distributed via the Internet and the difference that makes in the quality of my research and the works it produces. The reputation section needs more reflection and a better breakdown. Maybe it should go Primary -, Secondary -, Tertiary - Good Reputation, Unknown, Skeptical, and Highly Suspect. If that were the case, almost all of my sources would be tertiary or better. I am comfortable with that for now and will be focusing on other areas of research improvement in my next project.

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RESULTS:
What insights about the field of environmental communication were gleaned? What themes have emerged? Education is easily the strongest theme present in my research even when the information source was not of an educational institution. In both communication and environmental issues, you have to know which skills to develop and your knowledge base should be current and relevant but, most importantly, you have to know how to be a self-educator. As Dr. Tim Crews of Prescott College said, Time and time again, the liberally educated students will stick out and shine in the work environment because they have invested in developing critical thinking skills and have learned how to learn, (as quoted in: Ruhl, 2012). Curiosity in the subject matter and enjoying the understanding of it go a long way towards not only being successful, but loving what you do for a career. Having a passion for sharing what you learn is also vital, as is being able to both inspire that passion in others and encourage their involvement. The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (n.d.) provides a quick, relevant outline of things to consider in order to be more successful when pursuing your education be it at a college or elsewhere:
So what should I do while Im in college? Major or minor in Environmental Studies to get a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of environmental issues. Also major in a department that challenges you to think critically, do research, write effectively, and solve practical problems. Consider a double major or minor in Communication. Seek out classes and other opportunities to practice your communication skills.

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Take particular courses that will help you understand environmental issues. One example is statistics, which will enable you to make and evaluate statistical arguments. Another is technical or scientific writing. Also keep in mind that the more environmental science you know, the better you will be in this field.

Get as much experience as possible in environmental issues or communication during summer work, internships, volunteering, writing for the student newspaper, etc.

Cultivate the skills and qualities [needed to be a successful environmental communicator.]

Communication, obviously, is an essential component of this field. Always look for opportunities to practice writing and to optimize that practice by focusing the writing on environmentally-related topics. When at college, take courses on writing about land issues, grant writing, public policy, renewable energy, or environmental journalism. The more you know about your destination the better your choices will be along the way. Do volunteer work for nonprofits with a shared goal or a goal that you could support, that is related to environment and/or communication. Avid reading is a communication method greatly encouraged in the research time and time again. Not only does the act itself add to your knowledge base but it teaches you vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and so on. Reading is essential to being a skillful communicator. Carol Ruhl speaks of communications importance when she proposed that, Today, there is a growing need for eloquent voices (in all kinds of media) to communicate environmental messages. Informing the public about environmental issues and what they can do about them is a driving force behind the

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movement. Businesses and non-profit companies need spokespeople, and if you are a strong communicator with a passion for your issue, this field may be for you, (2012).

More than just a theme, yet never directly stated, is the importance of ignoring titles. When I first started this project I thought that I had to match a degree name up with the name of a specific career. Biology majors may look forward to becoming Biologists; Environmental Engineering majors are likely to become Environmental Engineers; Nursing majors plan to be Nurses, but what does one do when the degree title is long and complicated like mine? (Ruhl, 2012) You have to get creative, which I have learned, is an important aspect of this field regardless of the job specifics. As is adaptability. I had to look at the skills my classes would teach me and what skills I could learn from things I also found to be interesting. I would then look through jobs that interested me and compared the coursework I was interested in and the skills they taught to the requirements of the job. What surprised me was how many of the jobs actually matched. When I started this project I was worried that my educational pursuits would over-specialize me and that jobs would be harder to find, now however, I see that instead I have a wide range of options. Every descriptive term I added to my degree title doesnt narrow the search it increases its breadth instead it gives me more options.

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DISCUSSION:
Based on insights learned, how does this research fit with future work plans? This report has been enlightening, empowering, and reassuring. The things I have discovered over the course of this project will no doubt help me reach my future plans quicker and with greater accuracy. It has painted a clearer picture of my destination and if I keep that picture in mind when making decisions I will arrive there in time. A less abstract lesson would be tabling my references as I do my research, as I did with this project. Regrettably, I produced Figure 1 towards the end so I wasnt able to correct what I see as potential deficits in the rounding out of the information. That itself is a lesson. I plan to follow up with the information that I have found so far and continue my search for more even after this report is submitted, graded, and returned.

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CONCLUDING ADVICE & RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Blog & Tweet use social media to network. 2. Network in the real world too through social and professional groups. 3. Read, read, read! Know your field and be up to speed on whats current. 4. Have the right attitude. Think in solutions and opportunities. Be adaptive and creative. 5. Make novel and innovative connections. 6. Think globally, act locally. 7. Be surthrivable, learn to thrive on the resources you have instead of just surviving on them. 8. Proactively focus on what you can do. 9. Dont polarize issues, always work collaboratively. 10. Paint a picture and tell a story that is free of jargon. 11. Have a vision, share that vision, and let your decisions reflect that vision.

~ My collection of impressions and insights gained over the course of my research, no direct quotation, if any, intended.

[G]et practicing and get some experience. In the Twitter-age theres no reason not to be using the self-publishing tools available to you. Start a blog, start writing about papers, events, interesting things youve read whatever enthuses you. Build up a portfolio of writing and youll get better as you do it. And get out and meet people, make contacts, get advice, get some work experience and talk to others doing the same thing.

~ Mun-Keat Looi, science writer at the Wellcome Trust, (Yong, 2010).

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I would recommend: an internship, keep your curiosity, keep learning all the time, keep improving your writing skills, write about topics that you are interested in, be persistent, and believe in yourself.

~ Emilie Lorditch, (Yong, 2010).

Whats your advice to young people with regard to getting an environmental education that will prepare them for the work force? 1. Dont be afraid of science and technology. Regardless of what path you take, whether you want to be a journalist, lawyer, eco-tourism guide, lobbyist, marine biologist or whatever, you will need it. Science and technology is crucial to effective environmental work. 2. Dont focus too narrowly on the professional field that you want to enter. Focus on the results that you want to achieve in the world. In other words, if your goal is to help affect a decrease in global pollutants, or to work for social and environmental justice, then this is what you need to keep in mind when you approach your education. Let your ultimate goals guide you to your educational needs, instead of the other way around. Dont ask, for instance, what can I do with a geography degree?. Instead ask, Is a geography degree a good preparation for what I want to do? 3. The best new environmental professionals will combine complementary fields and degrees. For example, someone with a bachelors degree in environmental engineering and a masters in business administration; or a BS in biology with a law degree (JD); or a person with a joint masters in environmental science and public administration. These complementary educational paths dramatically increase peoples employability, as well as their ability to make a difference in the world. The only place this would not be true would be in highly technical fields that are in demand unto themselves for example, sophisticated remote sensing systems. Page 11 of 15

4. Dont steer clear of politics. The argument for sustainability seems so self-evident to many of us that we sometimes wish it could be imposed from on high through strategic plans, cadres of professionals, and rigorous codes. Thats not how this country works. Just as non-technical people need to embrace the requirements of science and engineering types, so the consistently logical need to allow for emotion, special interests, grassroots organizing, negotiation, compromise and, well, democracy! Closing Comment View environmental work as a long-term career, and dont be waylaid from your ultimate career goals either by early job search difficulties or by early job successes. It may be just as easy to be pulled away from your goals by golden handcuffs as by unemployment. More than anything build and maintain your network with other creative people who are doing the work that you want to do. In times of trouble, your network of friends and colleagues will help you out more than anything else and in the good times, youll have more fun!

~ Kevin Doyle, National Director of Programs for the Environmental Careers Organization (EnvironmentalPrograms.net, 2003)

Sustainability is not merely in the output. For every finished green product, there are hundreds of processes behind the production, packaging, distribution, and marketing of that product This is the space the space that screams for green innovations. IT and consulting services professionals can tap into tremendous opportunities by addressing the challenges that sustainability presents to various industries. Documentation and transparency are key aspects In fact, discourse over environmental IT solutions has reached a critical mass, warranting its own news site, produced by GreenBiz, GreenerComputing.com.

~ Anna Clark, President of EarthPeople (2007).

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WORKS CITED:
1. A., J. & S., T., Writing Center Tutors. (2012). Writing in Environmental Science. Retrieved on Nov. 11, 2012 from: condor.depaul.edu/writing/writers/Types_of_Writing/envsci.html 2. American Chemical Society. (2012). Science Writers. Retrieved Nov. 22, 2012 from: http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content?_nfpb=true&_pageLabel=PP_ARTICLEMAI N&node_id=1188&content_id=CTP_003402&use_sec=true&sec_url_var=region1&__uui d=399abe98-f45b-4362-a587-fcdd3982de48 3. CASW or the Council for the Advancement of Science Writing. A Guide to Careers in Science Writing. Retrieved on Nov. 11, 2012 from: www.casw.org/casw/guide-careers-sciencewriting 4. Clark, A. (May 01, 2007). Applied Sustainability: Finding Your Niche. Retrieved Oct. 02, 2012 from: http://www.kleanindustries.com/s/PressReleases.asp?ReportID=192075&_Title=Applie d-Sustainability-Finding-Your-Niche 5. EnvironmentalPrograms.net. (2003). Interview with Kevin Doyle: Trends in Environmental Jobs & Employment. Retrieved Nov. 25, 2012 from: http://enviroeducation.com/resources/interview-with-kevin-doyle-trends-inenvironmental-jobs-and-employment 6. Lehigh University. (2010). Where are our alumni? Retrieved Nov. 15, 2012 from: cas.lehigh.edu/CASWeb/default.aspx?id=1013 7. Lehigh University. (2010). Science & Environmental Writing Program. Retrieved on Nov. 11, 2012 from: cas.lehigh.edu/casweb/default.aspx?id=465
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8. Marshall, M. (2012, June). Melissa Marshall: Talk nerdy to me [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_marshall_talk_nerdy_to_me.html 9. Ruhl, C. (2012). Pursuing a Degree in Environmental Studies: Where Will It Lead? Retrieved on Nov. 23, 2012 from: http://enviroeducation.com/resources/pursuing-a-degree-inenvironmental-studies-where-will-it-lead 10. Samson Jr., D. C. (2001). Writing about Science for General Audiences. Notes from 48th International STC Conference. 112-116. 11. University of Minnesota Department of Writing Studies. (Nov. 12, 2012). Alumni : Writing Studies : University of Minnesota. Retrieved Nov. 22, 2012 from: writingstudies.umn.edu/people/alumni.html 12. University of Montana, & Spectral Fusion Designs. (2011). Other Alumni Information. Retrieved Nov. 15, 2012 from: cas.umt.edu/evst/alumni/other_alumni.cfm 13. University of Wisconsin, Oshkosh. (n.d.). Environmental Communnication. Retrieved on Nov. 22, 2012 from: http://www.uwosh.edu/es/jobs/uwo-created-webpages/communication 14. Wikipedia. (Oct. 02, 2012). Environmental communication. Retrieved on Nov. 22, 2012 from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_communication 15. Yong, E. (July 29, 2010, most recent post of non-author: Nov. 11, 2012). On the Origin of Science Writers. Not Exactly Rocket Science, Discover Magazine Blog. Retrieved on Nov. 22, 2012 from: blogs.discovermagazine.com/notrocketscience/2010/07/29/on-theorigin-of-science-writers/

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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Schools:
http://dsc.journalism.wisc.edu/index.html

Articles:
http://enviroeducation.com/resources/

Jobs:
http://mnyen.wordpress.com/resources/internships-and-job-resources/ http://www.minnesotanonprofits.org/jobs http://www.environmentalcomm.org/jobs http://environmentaljobs.com/ http://www.eco.ca/ http://environmentalcareers.com.au/

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