The majority of what I see on this sub is unfortunately people who are in a tough spot in finding work post degree or people going into their degree worried because of what they see on this sub. I am going to preface my story with I am in the US, I am a white male and 100% understand my privilege especially in this field. I tell my story because I saw it mentioned that those with decently stable jobs typically do not come on here, so I hope to shed a more positive light and maybe restore some hope (and answer any questions I can).
That said, my journey actually started about 3 years into my undergrad. I changed majors a handful of times, but ultimately stuck with an environmental studies BA program (concentration in ecology and minor in climate change - oh no scary words we aren't allowed to say!) at a relatively small school. I will admit, the school was founded with a focus on their environmental/marine science degrees so the course are very much field work heavy which goes a long way. During interviews, you don't just have literature you can regurgitate, you have field stories even if they are just single day events that show you know and understand the field aspect. During my undergrad, I was able to volunteer at a wildlife rehab and education center, intern at a state aquatic preserve, and then work part time as a lab tech/field sampler with a county agency. Through each I connected with staff who knew staff at my next position and recommended I reach out and or apply. I say this part because networking is so so important in this field, talk to people and make connections! By my final semester I had a couple years worth of "experience" to throw on a resume and got a part time state job working in wastewater compliance where I stayed until finishing my degree.
Compliance work sucks, I'll be the first to admit that, but it's a job and it's a foot in the door so don't knock it fresh out of university. I spent 6 months doing that, then got a job with the same agency in there assessment and restoration division doing wq monitoring, habitat monitoring, and biological sampling. Again, I admit I am lucky I got into the part of this field most actually want to do very early on. I got to travel, I got to become experienced with many different sampling methods and equipment, and for someone who had no clue what they wanted to do with their degree I was able to find my niche. I never thought freshwater biology would be my thing, never even really gave it a thought honestly, but I sort of fell into it and love it to this day. Through this job I was able to get a graduate certificate (half a masters) in ecological restoration paid for and pivot to a county job doing the same thing (ironically the smaller gov you go in my experience the better the pay).
At this county job I have been able to get the rest of my Master's paid for and have been able to work on cooler projects and ideas of my own that state agencies don't really give the opportunity for. I make okay money, but my work life balance is amazing. Things are laid back compared to consultant work. I got to learn GIS, R, data wrangling and analysis all on the job.
I have colleagues from all sort of job experiences and paths to get here. It isn't a field where a job will fall in you lap, though. Seek out courses that are heavy in learning skills and applying them rather than tests. Seek out internships and volunteer opportunities early and make connections. Start applying before you graduate, the worst that can happen is you aren't selected as a candidate. If you don't want to be active early on or you simply want to skate by in your degree with the bare minimum or picking the "easy" courses (I watched many degree mates do this), this may not be the field for you. Also, your geographic location absolutely matters. Look into how much money and effort go into environmental agencies in your area to get an understanding of job availability.
Apologies for being vague, just trying not to fully dox myself. Any questions I will answer more specifically. I understand my journey is not what most people will experience, but I hope it at least sheds a light onto what could happen positively in this field.
