Although the need for scientists and professionals trained in interdisciplinary earth and environmental science is great, few graduate-level programs provide the necessary training and experience. Graduates from programs in the traditional earth science academic departments, including biology, geology, geography, meteorology, oceanography and others, must generally undergo supplemental training to apply their traditional academic skills to real world employment responsibilities. Because interdisciplinary skills often have to be learned and experienced on the job, many of the jobs that our program would target are, at present, taken by more experienced candidates [see Rachel Hartigan, "Smart New Degrees," US News & World Report, 9 April 2001]. The design of the proposed ESSP program is tailored to the needs of today's employers for professionals who can easily communicate with not only other scientists, but with resource managers, farmers, ranchers, landowners, and policy makers.

The career potential for graduates of the ESSP program is impressive; students will be competitive for a wide variety of careers in business, government, or academia. Recent graduates from a similar program at Cornell University have moved on to careers ranging from politics to environmental administration to university professorships. According to the Environmental Business Journal [Environmental Business International, Inc. April 1996, Vol. IX, No. 4], the US environmental industry (over 110,000 revenue-generating organizations) employed 1.2 million professionals and surpassed $180 billion in revenues in 1995. In 1998 the industry employed nearly 2.5 million people with revenues of $200 billion. The market is huge and rapidly growing. By the year 2010, increased international development is expected to create a global environmental market of over $600 billion.

The Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century [Island Press, 1999] lists examples of the potential job market for graduates in Earth System Science and Policy. Opportunities range from local to global in scale:

• Local government agencies, including municipal and county authorities, offer careers in water treatment, waste management, and recreational programs.
• Numerous state agencies from all over the US offer opportunities in environmental protection, natural resource management, education and environmental oversight.
• Almost every Federal department has employment opportunities for environmental professionals (e.g., Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Justice, State, Transportation, and Energy, as well as The Environmental Protection Agency and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
• Various international groups, including the World Bank and the United Nations, employ environmental professionals.
• Public agencies and nonprofit organizations provide many opportunities for environmental professionals, including conservation organizations, the American Red Cross, and the Peace Corps.
• The private sector, especially companies and corporations dealing with natural resources, offer many career opportunities for environmental professionals.

An on-line search (31 August 2001) for potential career openings for a recent graduate of the ESSP program yielded specific listings in every category. Samples from a larger list follow: local agencies (e.g., City of Kansas City--Environmental Planning Manager); state government agencies (e.g., Kansas Department of Health & Environment--Information Resource Specialist); federal government agencies (e.g., US Forest Service--Environmental Stewardship Manager); international agencies (e.g. United Nations Environmental Programme--Programme Officer, Physical Alteration and Destruction of Habitats); nonprofit groups (e.g., Ducks Unlimited--wetland restoration project manager); the private sector (e.g., Marshall & Associates, Inc.--Remote Sensing Technologist).

For the Northern Great Plains states, including North Dakota, an increase of over 30 percent is estimated for the number of environment-related jobs by 2008 (Career InfoNet ). These positions will generally require the employee to plan, organize, direct, or coordinate activities associated with a wide variety of environmental, earth systems, natural science, and public policy issues. Many of these positions are directly related to the region's multibillion-dollar agricultural industry. These persons will likely spend the greatest portion of their time in managerial work for which a Master of Environmental Management degree in ESSP will be a b advantage.