Karen,
The following comments are based on my somewhat limited experience in and
around environmental consulting in the upper Midwest. I have seen that a M.S.
degree can be a ticket to a job in consulting (as well as state and local
government positions), as long as you be sure to acquire the types of knowledge
and skills needed by these employers (as well as the basic science, analytical
skills, and technical writing ability). The degree doesn't need to be called
"Masters of Professional Science", as long as you be sure to gain enough
experience and understanding to be able to "talk the talk". A "professional"
degree might not be better than a traditional M.S. with a thesis because you
want to get hands-on experience and a thesis project is a great way to do that.
But internships, summer technician jobs, or just working with a prof on
his/her projects can be just as good.
Depending on your interests, you can focus on plants (be sure to get hands-on
field-identification experience), GIS-based data management and analysis, soil
science (with field-ID skills), hydrology and hydrogeology, and anything to do
with wetlands (including delineation, mitigation, regulations), which includes
all of the above (especially hydro, soils, and plants). Other areas of
specialization (e.g. trees) can be useful as well, but an animal/wildlife focus
is less useful because there are fewer jobs focusing exclusively on animals.
I'd suggest taking courses and getting experience in a couple of these fields
because it makes you more versatile and because in these jobs you are often
called on to wear more than one hat. One other option is to focus on
environmental education in order to make yourself qualified for nature-center
type jobs.
Just my 2 cents. I'm sure others have more (and different) experience.
Joe Gathman
Assistant Professor
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
> Subject: Masters of Professional Science
>
> Hello all,
>
> I graduated with several B.S. degrees several years ago,
> and I have been
> unable to get a permanent job, so I have been considering
> continuing on in
> my studies to attain a PhD. While researching
> programs, I have come across
> several "Masters of Professional Science" programs that are
> geared more
> towards teaching you skills and getting you internships to
> prepare you for
> work than preparing you to continue on towards a PhD.
>
> What, if any, are the general opinions on these programs
> versus a standard
> Masters program?
>
> I worry about completing one of these programs, still not
> being able to get
> a job, and being unable to continue on for a PhD.
>
> Thank you for any advice,
> Karen
