Earth Systems Program

Careers in Earth Systems

What can I do with an Earth Systems degree?

Earth Systems builds a broad environmental science and policy background that alumni have applied in a wide variety of fields.  Some go on to pursue PhDs, JDs, MDs, MBAs and other graduate degrees.  Others choose careers in government, non-profits, consulting, teaching, engineering, and research.

Riya Mehta on Capitol Hill

Making policy

Riya Mehta, Earth Systems '18, works as the Legislative Assistant on Agriculture, Energy, and the Environment to central coast Congressman Jimmy Panetta, D-CA, on Capitol Hill. 

Read about Riya

Reshaping our landscape

Kate Hayes, Earth Systems '08, left Stanford for a position in urban landscaping in New York and now works for Restoration Landscape in Northern California.

Read about Kate

Kate Hayes working on roof terrace in New York City.
Martha Roberts advocates for clean air.

Leveraging the law

Martha Roberts, Earth Systems ’04, MS ’06, as a lawyer with the Environmental Defense Fund, she advocates for federal policies that protect us from pollution.

Read about Martha

Where do our alumni work?

  • AQUARIUM OF THE BAY
  • GOOD EGGS
  • ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND
  • EPA
  • NOAA
  • SUNPOWER
  • FISHWISE
  • US DEPARMENT OF ENERGY
  • US DEPARTMENT OF STATE
  • US CONGRESS
  • ALLIANCE FOR CLIMATE EDUCATION
  • PG&E
  • US AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
  • ACTERRA (WATERSHED PROGRAM COORDINATOR)
  • INSTITUTE OF TRANSPORTATION STUDIES AT UC DAVIS
  • CITY OF SAN MATEO
  • USDA OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
  • BLOOMBERG NEWS MIAMI
  • OREGON DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
  • ARCADIA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
  • MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC US
  • US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
  • ALASKA NATURAL HERITAGE PROGRAM
  • US NAVY - WHITE HOUSE FELLOW
  • MASSACHUSETTS DEPARMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES
  • FACEBOOK
  • UNIVERSITY OF OSLO
  • NRG SOLAR
  • WESTLY GROUP
  • FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT (JUDGE)
  • GIVEWELL
  • CLIMATE POLICY INITIATIVE
  • SAN DIEGO GAS & ELECTRIC
  • INSTITUTE FOR TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT POLICY
  • STANFORD MEDICAL SCHOOL
  • US GLOBAL CHANCE RESEARCH PROGRAM
  • SUNRUN
  • INSIGHT EDUCATION
  • CORNERSTONE RESEARCH
  • CALIFORNIA PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION
  • SAN JOAQUIN OUTDOOR EDUCATION
  • PARSONS CORPORATION
  • CALIFORNIA SEA GRANT (FELLOW)
  • PALO ALTO MEDICAL FOUNDATION
  • DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL ECOLOGY, CARNEGIE INSTITUTION FOR SCIENCE

More Stanford Earth career resources

Read more stories about the career paths Stanford Earth alumni have taken and find professional development resources, including workshops and resume writing seminars. 

Explore Stanford Earth career resources

Career and internship resources

Resources for Stanford and beyond (SUNETid required)