Environmental Career Paths Less Traveled By People In India

Gone are the days when the only career options to choose from were limited to a handful of ‘respectable’ professions like that of a lawyer, accountant or doctor. In fact, this trend has now reached Indian shores and has opened up a host of new career opportunities for those who are looking for something truly different.
Here are a few environmental career paths that you can choose to pursue.

Ecotourism

Ecotourism can be described as a part of the travel industry that aims at instilling in people the importance of responsible travel to natural areas that in turn helps to conserve the environment and sustain the wellbeing of local people. Prompted by ecological concerns and environmental issues, the ecotourism industry has evolved in the last 20 years and thus holds a number of job opportunities for those who have a passion for travel and at the same time wish to execute an experience for travellers that demonstrate local, environmental and cultural sustainability.

Besides, professionals in this industry also travel to other countries to educate the local people about a more sustainable way of life. Courses in cultural anthropology, green event planning, natural resource assessment, environmental education, ecotourism marketing and group dynamics for ecotourism are popular in the US and Europe. In India too, the movement is gathering momentum with a large number of organizations addressing the needs of eco-tourists in a bid to promote eco-tourism in the country. Few Indian institutes like the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Ahmadabad and the Indian Institute of Ecology and Environment (IIEE), Delhi offer degree courses in ecotourism.

Astrobiology

Astrobiology is the study of the origin, evolution and possibility of life in the universe. This field comprises the search for habitable environments in our Solar System as well as habitable planets and the potential for life to adapt to challenges outside our Solar System. Today, several recent advances have made astrobiology viable. Biologists have discovered extremophiles, which are microorganisms living in extremes of heat, cold, radiation, and pressure as well as ancient organisms that derive their energy from chemosynthesis instead of photosynthesis.

These organisms show that life’s potentially habitable zone includes terrestrial planets like Mars and moons like Europa and Titan. Thus, a career in astrobiology is getting more lucrative by the day! What’s more is the fact that India is very forward in the space research field too. While the Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore) offers MSc and PhD astronomy programmes, many students in India have gone on to pursue a career as research scientists, but few have opted to tread the lesser-traveled path of astrobiology.

The Indian Astrobiology Research Centre, the Cochin University of Science and Technology and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, Kottayam offer courses that specialise in astrobiology. If you think out of the box, there is absolutely no need to confine one’s self to run-of-the-mill career options. There are a number of new career options that are making their way to India. Sail to a bright horizon with these unconventional careers.

Environmentalists

With the pressing need to reduce the individual and industrial carbon footprint and the ever-growing global waste trade, every industry needs to prepare for environmental impact audits, greenhouse gas assessments and the recruitment of energy and environment managers. Other than simply campaigning for a greener tomorrow, a green career also encompasses positions that are on the heavier side that comprise training programmes, environmental testing and green management measures. Already an integral part of the West, a career in sustainability is the need of the hour in India and other developing countries.

Savvy Sommelier

In erstwhile times, a sommelier was the person responsible for taking care of wine cellars and serving wines to royalty and dignitaries. Over time, with the explosive growth in the popularity of wine, the tradition of the sommelier extended to restaurants. Today, a sommelier, who is still seen as a distinguished wine connoisseur with a vast knowledge of wines and their suitability with various foods, is very much in demand at restaurants, hotels and events.

Sommeliers are now finding a coveted niche, not just as hosts at wine appreciation sessions but also as wine critics and as certifiers of future sommeliers. Wine experts are also sought after by high-end stores to assist their customers and offer recommendations. Wine producing regions in France, Italy, South Africa and Australia offer certification in this field at top-notch institutes like the Université du Vin (France), University of Adelaide (Australia), Associazione Italiana Sommelier (Italy) and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (London).

With the huge growth in the Indian wine market, not only has wine consumption increased but also the curiosity levels with regards to different kinds of wines. The Indian Wine Academy, Delhi as well as the London-based Tulleeho Wine Academy that offers courses in Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore offer certified wine courses for those who wish to build a career in the wine industry.

The youth today is opting do pursue careers in the less explored field. This is rapidly opening up a number of opportunities for every individual. The more you explore the more you have to pursue. So, what’s your pick.