It has been found that there is a great demand for professionals in the field of water resources in the 21st century. People pursuing a career in this field will great good job opportunities, face awesome challenges at work, and also get good recognition for their work. The growth in population all over the world, the changes in land usage, and global climate change are some of the factors why there is a great demand for water resource professionals all over the world.
Job Opportunities
Opportunities in water management career can be found with the various government agencies at the state and national levels. Other jobs that one can get are as faculties of different colleges, universities or in the private sector as environmental consultants with the various environmental groups. One can also get jobs with companies that use water resources for manufacturing or for extraction purposes. Planning and management jobs are also available for people in this field.
Qualifications
One needs to have passed their bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university in subjects like biological science, engineering, forestry, physical science or hydrology. With a Bachelors's degree, one can get entry-level jobs in government agencies or consulting firms.
If you have completed your Masters of Science degree or have a Ph.D. degree, you will get a good position with an attractive salary and more chances of enhancing the job profile quickly.
It has been observed that nearly all the water resources careers need literacy in computers and some even require a background in geographic information systems (GIS).
Can students from other disciplines work in this field?
Students who are interested in water resource management can also approach it even if they are from other disciplines. The universities which offer water resources management also include biochemistry, soil science, geology, geography, fisheries, forestry, and other such courses. There are many programs at the graduate level which offer a good combination of education and work experience so that the students are well prepared of what they will face at the workplace.
Due to the demand for work, water resources management individuals must have a basic knowledge of other disciplines like economics, sociology and even law. It is advisable to use these courses as electives as it will only help them in the long run. For example, if you are into watershed planning, then you need to have knowledge about water resource issues as well as about biological problems. It also includes the legal, social and economical issues of the humans living in that part of the land. Hence one must have a proper understanding of all the facts.
Colleges/Universities offering Water Resource Management Courses
- Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi
- Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri
- The National Institute of Engineering, Mysore
- UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University, Allahabad
- Shri Guru Gobind Singhji Institute of Engineering and Technology, Vishnupuri
Salary
- Water resource specialist- Rs 1, 12, 000 - 3, 80, 000
- Water Resource Manager- Rs 8, 86, 000 - 15, 53, 287
- Water Efficiency Technicians- Rs 2, 28, 258
- Environment Manager- Rs 6, 50, 000- 8, 95, 435
The water resource management professionals have a great contribution to society as they not only take care of the smallest water body but also about the large water bodies too.
