Research & Careers

The Environmental Studies major at Lewis & Clark is a perfect way to prepare for a wide variety of careers. Environmental studies is more interdisciplinary than perhaps any other major available, since students learn concepts and methods from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. The strength of this liberal arts approach is that it prepares students for graduate study or employment in many possible fields.

Local and Overseas Research

In collaboration with campus and off-campus partners, Environmental Studies at Lewis & Clark is developing local and regional/international sites for student and faculty research, including electronic information and knowledge resources to support in-depth inquiry into environmental problems and solutions. Research may count toward the student’s concentration as ENVS 499 (Independent Study). For information on Lewis & Clark's overseas destinations, consult with the Please consult with the Office of Overseas and Off-Campus Programs.

Mellon Research Initiative

Thanks to a recent award by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Lewis & Clark's Environmental Studies Program is embarking on an ambitious, multi-year Mellon Research Initiative. The Initiative's goal is to further scholarly rigor and coherence in the field of environmental studies by cultivating interdisciplinary research skills among undergraduate students at Lewis & Clark and other American institutions. View a recent profile of the Initiative here.

Internships

Environmental Studies majors are urged to complete one or more practical internships as part of their education at Lewis & Clark. The Portland metropolitan area and the Pacific Northwest offer many opportunities for students to learn by working for federal agencies, environmental organizations, business, city government, and other entities. In addition, students have access to a nationwide database of internship opportunities. Majors pursue internships as a partnership between the Environmental Studies Program, the Center for Career and Community Engagement, and the sponsoring entity, with the goal of providing long-term professional and career development skills to participating students, as well as practical application of the concepts and skills acquired with the Environmental Studies major.