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Job opportunities for environmental scientists and specialists are expected to grow by 11% in the following years, which is faster than the average for all occupations.

Geology and Earth Science college degree is still the most popular choice in the niche, while Environmental Science and Biology follow.

If you're planning a career in environmental science, get your foot in the door by applying for an internship.

An internship will help you enter the professional environment with little or no experience and get to know more people who're interested in protecting the environment through their career choices.

Let's look at the most attractive internships in the field of environmental science today.

17 Best Environmental Science Internships

1. Product Environmental Assessment Internships

In these internship programs, you'll conduct an environmental Lifer Cycle Assessment (LCA) for select components and products.

To apply, you need to have enrolled in a Master's degree program in Industrial Ecology, Sustainability, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.

2. Landscape Architectural Intern

These intern jobs are for students in pursuit of a Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Landscape Architecture. You will support designers, architects, engineers, and project managers in their assignments, and work on research for products and construction methods under mentorship from senior designers. Find openings for Landscape Architectural Intern now.

3. Corporate Sustainability Intern

In this environmental internship program, you'll learn to analyze evolving customer, investor, and government ESG expectations and conduct ESG risks and impact assessments.

To apply, you need to be pursuing a business degree, sustainability, engineering, or environmental discipline and be able to work both independently and in a team environment.

4. Environmental Planning Intern

You'll learn how to interpret and record data, conduct research and analyses, as well as to contribute to environmental documents and compliance processes.

If you're a graduate in Planning, Environmental Policy, or a related field, submit a cover letter, and kickstart your career in a dynamic work environment.

5. Environmental Education Internships

6. Corporate Safety Intern

Interns will be involved in establishing the company's Corporate Sustainability Program. You'll be gathering research data and measuring current sustainability initiatives to determine their effectiveness and alignment with the overall corporate initiatives.

To apply for an internship in this vibrant business environment, you need technical writing skills and the ability to work with teams.

7. Environmental Health Intern

In this intern program, you'll be assisting environmental educators in planning and presenting programs to various groups and individuals in summer camps, schools, and special events.

You should be able to work some weekend and evening hours and you need to attend a college in the Conservation or Education field.

8. Corporate Social Responsibility Customer Service Internships

These environmental internships are ideal for future Bachelor's and Master's of environmental studies who want to become leaders in corporate social responsibility and show interest in customer support.

You'll be assisting with CSR risk assessment and status tracking, as well as completing customer surveys and queries.

9. Environmental Scientist Intern

In this summer internship, you'll gain experience through assisting with the environmental investigation, characterization, and clean-up services for federal clients. This includes the evaluation and remediation of sites contaminated with hazardous waste.

10. Environmental Intern Technician

Environmental internships for technicians are ideal for physically fit individuals with an interest in science and technology, and who are majoring in a Science field and scoring at least a 2.5 GPA.

You'll monitor and sample groundwater, surface water, and stormwater, as well as provide water remediation services and treatments. [ 1]

11. R&D Environmental Horticulture Internships

Agriculture and horticulture environmental internships are popular with students of Environmental Horticulture, Horticulture Sciences, Botany, and Agriculture because they offer a ton of training and hands-on experience on sticking, pinching, trimming, and application of fertilizers and growth regulators, as well as collecting data and creating reports.

12. Environmental Biologist Internships

This environmental internship can provide a professional experience with wetland monitoring, conducting and reviewing wetland delineations, USACE 404 Permitting, and tree/shrub mitigation. To apply, you must be enrolled in an environmental, natural, or physical science or related undergraduate degree program.

13. Environmental Intern for Health and Safety

These environmental internships give you an opportunity to assist the Environmental Health Safety and Security (EHS&S) group department in the planning and implementation of safety and health, as well as environmental and security programs.

To apply, you must be majoring in the Environmental Health and Safety, Environmental Science, or Environmental or Chemical Engineering field.

14. Environmental Engineer Internships

Environmental engineer internships are available for highly-motivated students of Environmental Engineering or a related degree who are willing and able to perform outdoor field sampling activities.

Interns receive a variety of environmental engineering assignments including, soil, soil gas, and groundwater sampling and remediation.

15. City Planning Intern

City Planning internships offer a rewarding and valuable experience for students with strong planning, research, and communication skills, so make sure your cover letter makes the first impression.

Interns will conduct research, collect and analyze data from the environment, and prepare documents for urban planning, related to housing, historic and cultural resources, zoning compliance, etc. [ 2]

16. Bike Parking Intern

This internship program requires you to show up at the office once a week for 3-4 hours and commit for at least 8 weeks. Your duties include data entry using Google Sheets, updating Google Map of bike parking spaces, and help organize bike parking environment.

In return, you get to learn the ropes of working in a small environmental nonprofit.

17. Natural Resource Management Summer Intern

These summer environmental internships might be interesting to students pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in an environment-related field, who want an opportunity to work on projects such as rare species and wildlife surveys, botanical surveys, environmental permitting, erosion control projects, as well as wetland mitigation and restoration.

Final Thoughts

Businesses across the country, as well as federal, state, and local agencies, have invested a lot in becoming more environmentally responsible.

As a result, any graduate student in environmental studies has plenty of attractive internships to choose from.

But where to start looking?

You can start by checking out our Green Jobs Board for the best environmental science internships at companies and institutions that are nearest to you.

1. https://opportunities.aises.org/job/summer-2021-environmental-technician-intern/55490610/

2. https://www.planning.org/jobdescriptions/planningintern/

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17 Best Environmental Science Internships

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Job opportunities for environmental scientists and specialists are expected to grow by 11% in the following years, which is faster than the average for all occupations. Geology and Earth Science college degree is still the most popular choice in the niche, while Environmental Science and Biology follow.

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At large, environmental science majors are passionate about preserving and improving the world's land, water and air quality. A degree in environmental science can open up many job opportunities in research, education, law and more. Oftentimes, environmental science majors end up working for universities, the government or private research institutes. While some of the jobs on this list can be achieved with solely a bachelor's degree, many of them require further, more specialized education or training.
Here is a list of 12 possible jobs for environmental science majors:
Most Common Jobs for Environmental Science Majors

1. Environmental Scientist

In a nutshell, environmental scientists are tasked with studying, analyzing and potentially providing sustainable solutions to environmental problems, including pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. Oftentimes, they are employed by the government, universities or research institutes. While some environmental science jobs can be earned with only a bachelor's degree, a master's degree will open up many more prestigious employment opportunities.

Median annual wage: $69,400

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's/Master's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 3%

2. College Professor

As with many students in the sciences, many environmental science majors go on to become professors of their discipline. Patience, communication, organization and enthusiasm are some of the most important characteristics of a good college professor. To earn a job teaching at the post-secondary level, a master's degree (and sometimes a doctorate degree), is required. In addition to teaching, some college professors also conduct research and write scholarly articles.

Median annual wage: $76,360

Common entry-level degree: Master's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 3%

3. High School Science Teacher

Being a high school science teacher is a common path for environmental science majors. As a teacher, you can communicate and hopefully pass down your love for science to the next generation. To become a secondary school teacher, you will need to graduate with a bachelor's degree in the subject you want to teach, while completing your school's teacher preparation program. You'll then need to complete a teaching internship in your subject, take and pass your state's teaching licensure tests, and get your teaching license.

If you are dead set on being a teacher, the best advice would be to major in education. But if you're still uncertain about what you want to do, an environmental science degree could ultimately help you land a teaching job.

Median annual wage: $59,170

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 1%

Specialized/Unique Jobs for Environmental Science Majors

4. Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers might work on a wide range of projects relating to environmental health and sustainability. This could include developing new recycling programs, strategies and methods. It could also include developing renewable energy technologies and systems like dams or large-scale water filtration systems. A bachelor's degree is necessary for entry into the field, and some employers may seek out candidates with master's degrees. Leadership and management positions require a Professional Engineering (PE) license, which can be attained after 4 years of working in the field.

Median annual wage: $86,800

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's/Master's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 1.8%

5. Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants work on projects with organizations offering their expertise on environmental regulations or environmental impact. Typically, they will be employed by an environmental consultancy firm, which take on contracts with commercial or government organizations. Environmental consultants may specialize in subfields like air or water pollution, waste management, natural disaster risk, or renewable energy. In order to become an environmental consultant, you will need at least a bachelor's degree.

Median annual wage: $69,400

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 3%

6. Forester

A career in forestry is ideal for anyone who strives to be outdoors and sighs at the thought of working at a desk all day. Foresters are primarily tasked with maintaining and preserving wilderness areas and forest habitats. They may have to engage in pest control, fire prevention, soil sampling, and more. Generally, foresters are employed by government agencies, such as national and state parks and wildlife refuges.

Median annual wage: $60,120

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0.8%

Non-Traditional Jobs for Environmental Science Majors

7. Environmental Reporter

If you are interested in the environment but would like to write for a living, an environmental science major can prepare you well for a career as an environmental reporter. Technically, there is no required degree to become a reporter, but you will have a hard time finding a job without one. Skilled reporters are master storytellers with strong writing and grammar skills. To learn the essential skills, most aspiring reporters study journalism in college. However, the knowledge gained through an environmental science degree will give you an advantage in reporting on the environment and sustainability efforts.

Median annual wage: $40,910

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 11%

8. Environmental Lawyer

At large, environmental lawyers strive to uphold and lobby for laws that protect the quality of the air, water and land. They also can represent individuals and communities who may have been injured or developed an illness due to environmental conditions in a town, workplace, building or more.

However, to become an environmental lawyer, completing a bachelor's degree program is just the first step. Aspiring lawyers will also have to pass the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), apply to law school, earn a Juris Doctor degree and pass the Bar examination - all before they can begin to practice law. Generally, it takes 3 years to graduate from law school, so the entire process takes 7-8 years. If you're interested in earning your master's degree in environmental science while working towards your Juris Doctor degree, some universities, such as Duquesne University and the University of Colorado Boulder, offer joint programs.

Median annual wage: $119,250

Common entry-level degree: Juris Doctor degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 4%

9. Toxicologist

Toxicologists are experts in chemicals and toxic materials, who use their expertise to research and evaluate the safety of chemical products and drugs, and identify the safety of chemical products. Toxicologists are often employed by water, pharmaceutical and chemical companies to test the safety of their own products. They may also be employed by government regulatory agencies like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Most aspiring toxicologists major in environmental toxicology in college. However, for environmental science majors who were late to realize they want to become toxicologists, there is still hope. Some universities allow students to add a toxicology specialization or focus to their degree. Additionally, a master's degree in toxicology would help students refine their skill set and qualify for more jobs.

Median annual wage: $82,090

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 0.5%

Other Potential Jobs for Environmental Science Majors

10. Marine Biologist

Primarily, marine biologists are tasked with analyzing ocean life and identifying possible threats or diseases. Typical assignments could include assessing the changes in a specific fish population over time or determining the cause of an obscure algal bloom. Although most aspiring marine biologists pursue a major that is specific to animals, such as biology, zoology or ecology, an environmental science degree can serve as the base for a career in marine biology. However, to earn a job in the field, a more advanced degree may be needed.

Median annual wage: $62,290

Common entry-level degree: Bachelor's/Master's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 30%

11. Climatologist

At large, climatologists study trends in climate and how it impacts people and the environment. They observe how climate has changed over time, so they can predict trends for the future and avoid potential long-lasting damage. A degree in environmental science could serve as the backbone to a climatology career; however, to earn a research position at a university or institute, further education that is specific to climatology, meteorology or atmospheric science is likely necessary.

Median annual wage: $89,790

Common entry-level degree: Master's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: N/A

12. Fish and Game Warden

Fish and game wardens work in protected outdoor conservation areas, such as state and national parks and forest preserves, to protect wildlife and enforce fishing, hunting and boating laws, among others. In addition to an environmental science education, aspiring fish and game wardens should be versed in criminal justice. To earn a job as a fish and game warden, internships or apprenticeships are almost always necessary.

Median annual wage: $56,410

Common entry-level degree: Associate's/Bachelor's degree

Likelihood that robots will take your job: 8%

10 Famous Environmental Scientists

1. David Brower

2. Rachel Carson

3. Marjory Stoneman Douglas

4. Sylvia Earle

5. Jane Goodall

6. James Hansen

7. Julia Hill

8. Aldo Leopold

9. John Muir

10. Peter Newman

To explore options for other majors, click here.

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12 Jobs for Environmental Science Majors | The University Network

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At large, environmental science majors are passionate about preserving and improving the world's land, water and air quality. A degree in environmental science can open up many job opportunities in research, education, law and more. Oftentimes, environmental science majors end up working for universities, the government or private research institutes.

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The million-dollar question is, how do you get noticed?

Some say it's by taking on big projects. Others believe face-to-face interactions with upper management are key. The truth is, it's a combination of those two steps and many others.

We'll cover them all in this article, featuring five HubSpot managers who share their journeys to becoming managers and what they now look for in managerial candidates.

1. Add value to your team.

The number one way to get noticed as management material is by adding value to your team in your current role.

What does that look like? Well, it depends on your position.

For Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Team Manager at HubSpot Ashley Ladd, it started by volunteering for presentation slides on diversity and inclusion during quarterly meetings.

"It's very easy for our leadership team to be like, 'I can do that,' or 'our chief legal officer can do that,' or 'somebody could do it,'" said Ladd, then program manager, "but I was able to raise my hand and say 'Hey, I'm willing to take on this part of the presentation' or 'I'd love to have that opportunity.'"

Ladd said it pushed her outside of her comfort zone but also gave her visibility with upper management. Furthermore, it allowed her to share more about what she did, and show why she was passionate about her work.

"Those were some of the things earlier on that set me up for being seen as a leader in our space," said Ladd.

Carina Carlos, product expert manager at HubSpot, added value by identifying a problem in her previous company's ticket management system and solving for it.

"Solutions aren't just waiting," said Carlos. "They're not just there, you have to think about them, be creative and cover them."

And that's exactly what she did. After brainstorming and developing a solution, Carlos pitched it to management and reduced ticket volume by around 40%.

"Taking ownership [is what gets you noticed for management roles], leading projects and thinking of projects that can have a bigger impact in terms of scalability and solving for the root," she said.

Christopher Simmons, small business sales manager at HubSpot, says adding value looks like a combination of the following:

Being successful in your role

Aligning with the company strategy

Filling in gaps leadership may have

Giving your perspective proactively

Speaking up on behalf of people

He believes it requires shifting from an individual contributor mindset to a team one. But as you identify these opportunities, make sure you're not stepping on other people to do it.

"A key to adding value is dropping pretense," Simmons says. "What often happens is that people can feel like you are using them as a piece to get to wherever you're trying to go."

Whether you start small or go big, there's always an opportunity for you to add value without pushing others to the side.

2. Volunteer for projects that give you visibility.

One of the best ways to be noticed by upper management is by working on projects your leadership team cares about.

"I was always raising my hand for something because I knew it would give me experience as well as exposure to what I wanted to do and what I didn't want to do," said Customer Success Manager at HubSpot Davey Jones.

"So, I had my shortlist of non-negotiables for whatever my next opportunity would be, even if I was leading people," she continued, "and that came from raising my hand and volunteering."

Your first step is identifying what those projects are, through company meetings and conversations with your managers and other leaders. Next, break the projects up into two categories: small, low-commitment versus long, high-impact.

Jones emphasizes the importance of having measurable goals to prevent overextending yourself. Because then, you end up underperforming.

The formula is this: Identify projects you'd like to work on and decide how many you will work on per quarter.

"It circles back to leveraging those additional opportunities because a lot of that has a leadership undertone in its own right," said Jones. "And when you take advantage of those opportunities, you realize 'Do I want to manage people?'"

During this process, Ladd offers a key piece of advice: zoom out and up.

"As a manager, you have to be able to take yourself out and up and be like, 'Who is this impacting? Who else do I need to talk to and who else do I need to collaborate with?' she said.

She continued, "I think sometimes in those moments where I felt that sense of urgency to get something done, I definitely missed the opportunity to say 'How else can I think about this from a global perspective or a manager perspective?'"

Being solution-oriented is great, but make sure you don't rush. Have conversations with your colleagues about the best ways to move forward, get their input, and go from there.

Jones adds one more thing to keep in mind when volunteering for projects: Don't be afraid to change your mind in the middle of it, if it goes beyond the original scope.

"Having a conversation or ongoing conversations with your manager helps because then, they can say, 'What's on your plate and what do you want to take off of your plate?'" said Jones. "And then, you look at your projects and say, 'I don't like this one, so I'm going to take it off.'"

This is where leveraging your manager's help is key.

3. Take calculated risks.

When I asked Vrnda LeValley, customer training manager at HubSpot, if there's a particular moment that stands out to her as a manager-making moment, this is what she answered.

"Yes, a lot of them do and usually they were linked to 'This might be the day I lose my job,'" she says.

Needless to say, risky moves get you noticed.

"I actually prefer people who do too much. I would rather reel you back instead of push you out there because leadership is a vulnerable position," said Simmons. "When you're a leader, you're going to have to step out and be vulnerable and be exposed."

He continues, "And it's a lonely place so, I want people who kind of push the boundaries a little bit. Then, we can teach, tailor, and cultivate."

However, taking risks doesn't mean being reckless or a bully.

You need to have a pioneering spirit to be an effective leader, Simmons says, so shrinking back isn't the answer.

Pay attention to what the business needs and be ready to act on it. This can mean having difficult conversations or stepping up when it's the right thing to do.

"Ask yourself, 'How can I do this in a way that is authentically who I am and honors people at the same time?" says Simmons.

If it seems scary to take the risk, Carlos suggests looking at the bigger picture and framing it as a service to the company, your customers, and the team.

And if you mess up, own up to it.

"There needs to be a self-awareness there and an opportunity for you to raise your hand and say 'I didn't do something well,'" said Ladd. "Being able to apologize as a manager - it's humbling work and you have to be able to say, 'I totally messed that up' and 'Here's my action plan going forward,' I think that builds trust."

4. Mentor and be mentored.

Every manager I interviewed spoke of a commitment to mentor and/or be mentored.

Why is mentorship vital to becoming a manager? LeValley says it helps you broaden your thinking.

"You won't know when you're thinking small cause you don't know what big is, so you need a sounding board for that," she said.

The question is, how do you identify the right people to seek out mentorship from? LeValley suggests asking yourself who impresses you.

"Who do you see that is making the moves that matter and that is coming up with the ideas that are implemented?" says LeValley.

From there, she has a pro-tip: Meet with the leaders' executive assistants within your first 90 days because they know what matters most to their supervisors.

"They're designed to have their finger on the pulse," LeValley says. "They're designed to assist, so it's right up their alley."

However, that's not the only route toward mentorship. Simmons got informal mentoring at first.

"I went to a group, had a leader - she was amazing, phenomenal [and] she mentored me but it wasn't labeled as a mentoring relationship," he said. "Once I decided to move toward management, I went and got formal mentoring."

He reached out to his then-VP for advice on how to take the next step in his career and asked for mentorship.

Figuring out who to meet with is only one step of the process, the next step is having an action plan for these conversations.

"Whenever I would work with him (my mentor), I would bring what I wanted to talk about. I was proactive," said Simmons. "I didn't want to be another deduction from his time, another liability. I wanted to be an asset."

Simmons didn't necessarily want answers to specific tactical questions but instead, learn how a leader thinks.

"I wanted to first connect to the story. We learn best through stories," he said. "So, I want to hear their career path, what their journey has been like. If I can figure out how you think, I can replicate the results."

He also leveraged peer mentors.

"That really is the secret sauce for me," said Simmons. "We would kind of mentor each other informally and teach each other things. And I adopted that throughout my career."

When Simmons came to HubSpot, he adds that his first step wasn't meeting with the directors, it was networking across with his fellow managers. In particular, those who could offer diversity of thought.

"I am trying to think with people who can supplement my weaknesses or development areas. I know I'm strong in the art of leadership so, I like talking to people who like being in that space," he said.

"But I am also trying to think like a person who loves systems. So, I'm trying to find people who can think about the business systems, [and learn about] the processes they used."

With mentoring, there's humbleness in knowing that you don't know everything and a willingness to learn from both your peers and your leaders.

5. Speak up and be bold.

Speaking up can be hard, especially at work. But, these five managers agree it's necessary to become a manager.

"You need to be the voice of reason and fairness on the team you're on," said LeValley. "You need to be the person who says, 'Hey, that's not nice and that's not necessary,' and 'Let's hear the idea out.'"

Simmons echoes this sentiment and thinks back to his own experience.

"There were moments early in my career when I had a platform and I didn't say what I know I needed to say, my gut was saying 'Say something' but I was like, 'Oh they can't handle this,'" he said. "Those were missed opportunities because leaders have a pioneering spirit, that's part of the DNA of the best leaders that I've studied."

Simmons' point is that leaders can handle a little pushback.

If you feel scared, Ladd says it helps to think of the bigger picture.

"it's very easy to get very granular and be like 'This impacts me and this is the issue I'm having' but what I try to do is take a step back and realize that this can't be just a me thing," she says. "I could be feeling this way, but I bet you, eight or 10 other people are feeling this way, too."

It's about lending your voice to be that bridge between all these voices, she says, and articulating it in a way that feels it doesn't feel like an attack but empowering instead.

Ladd recalls last year being a pivotal moment for her to speak up when the conversation around social justice was at the forefront.

"I could just continue to do my job, keep doing what I'm doing and giving feedback here and there," she said, "but I was able to step up and say 'It's not just about me anymore, it's about our community here."

Speaking up can (and should) also extend to your customers.

In her role in customer success, Jones fiercely advocated for her customers.

"When I think back to my role as an individual contributor, it was mostly around doing what was right for the customer, no matter how many people disagreed with me," she said, "and being able to advocate for them in a way that somebody else, who was a little bit shyer or didn't think they had enough buy-in or support, would."

And because she did that, customers returned the favor by singing her praises to upper management.

One thing you want to keep in mind though is your timing. LeValley had to learn that lesson.

"I would ask these questions in a group and the whole group would reel and I'd be like 'I just wanted to know' and not realizing the impact," said LeValley. "So, be very aware of your influence as you're building your brand."

It won't always be clear when the right time is, but consider what stage the company is in and what its priorities are.

6. Connect with your leadership team.

Part of becoming a manager is forging connections with the leaders at your company and understanding the bigger picture.

"Put yourself in the rooms that matter when you can," said LeValley, "even if it's 'Hey I just want to touch base for 15 minutes,' or 'I had an idea about this,' 'Can you explain the strategy behind this?'"

This requires some visibility, which some would say it's harder to get these days as working remotely is the new norm. You can't exactly start a conversation with upper management after a meeting, or have a quick word while getting coffee in the communal kitchen or get to know them at a happy hour.

But LeValley thinks it's actually easier now: fewer interruptions and distractions.

Set up an initial coffee chat with those key people you're interested in speaking with and go from there.

LeValley pro-tip: Call your first meeting a coffee chat and everything thereafter a strategic touch base or something similar.

"Don't marginalize yourself by calling it a coffee chat after the first one."

It's all about framing your conversations in a strategic light because that's how you want to be viewed.

7. Be a resource to others.

One thing Simmons learned from his mentors is the importance of supporting your peers.

"My leader would say, 'Whenever we promote someone, we want everybody in the org to say, 'OK, that makes sense," he said. "It makes sense for that person to be in that role because they've been adding value for so long.'"

Jones did it by always making herself available to assist her colleagues.

"I was called somewhere between like the 'mama bear' on the team and then also be a first responder," said Jones, "because whenever there was an issue, somebody would call me in and say, 'Davey, I know you're not a part of this thing, but can you help us put this fire out?' And I'm like, 'OK, give me the problem.'"

She also got involved with new hire onboarding, unofficially mentoring others on her team.

"Typically, what happens before somebody goes into leadership, you're going to ask somebody else, 'Hey, tell me about X. Have you worked with them before? What were your experiences?' Simmons said. "And if you're a person who burns bridges because you're not people-smart, then we should know that before."

Wondering what are some actions you can take today to support your colleagues? Listen to their concerns, offer to help when you can, and provide resources.

8. Have career conversations with your manager.

As you start making plans to become a manager, leverage your manager's insight and support.

"Every single day, I would ask my manager, 'What can I do to make your job easier,?' which is different from 'How are you?'" said LeValley. "I asked my manager and my skip-level, whom you should definitely be meeting with at least once a quarter, 'What could I learn or be good at that would make this organization better?' and then you do it."

This is an opportunity to make your aspirations clear with your manager and find opportunities to show what you're made of.

"Being able to make the space and time for conversations with your manager is the thing that helps move the needle," said Ladd.

Start by asking your manager for quarterly career chats. Then, prepare talking points and areas of focus. Lastly, keep your manager informed on your progress, the projects you're working on, and leverage their help to identify career development opportunities.

9. Act with empathy and vulnerability.

Now more than ever, having empathy is central to being a good manager.

"I think companies tend to hire managers because they're functional, right? You can get the job done right. You had experience in this thing for three to six years," said Jones, "but they never really have the behavioral questions in there like, how do you manage your people and how do you manage the culture of your team?"

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fight for social justice, Jones was hiring managers and she looked for people who made concessions for their team, ones that weren't mandated by HR.

"How do you show up for somebody in a way that you may not have considered had you not gotten to know them a little bit more?" she says.

Managing people is a very delicate balancing act, adds Carlos, so it requires someone who can be vulnerable, create psychological safety, and show up for their team.

"Being able to bring out the best performance in them is a dance you have to learn to do each time," she says.

So, how do you practice empathy? It starts in your role. Look at how you speak to customers. Do you understand their struggles? Do you prioritize their needs?

What about your peers, do you listen actively to their ideas and concerns? Do you ask questions to get to the root of their problems?

These are all ways to lead with empathy before you step into a managerial role.

10. Know the bigger picture.

When you become a manager, your priorities take a backseat and the company's needs take the wheel.

This requires understanding the company's broader strategy and investing in projects that align with them.

It begs the question: Does your purpose align with your company's?

That's why before you seek out that management role, LeValley recommends getting clear on your 'why.'

"If you ask me why I want to get promoted and why I want to become a manager, [the answer is] because before I retire, I want to be responsible for supporting 15 people from marginalized communities to senior manager level," she says. "You can't argue with that answer."

Once you identify your 'why,' mean it, voice it, and take action.

"I look for why they come to work, why they say the things that they do, why they support the decisions they support, why they speak up on behalf of others," LeValley says. "If they do, I look a lot of what really motivates them, because if it's money, you're not my type of manager."

For LeValley, your 'why' should go beyond yourself. It should be a desire to elevate others and support their success.

A big red flag is me-statements.

Phrases like: " I can do it but I don't see how this is going to get me noticed," or personal success stories that don't mention anyone else.

"People that see the train heading off the tracks, and maybe they get off, but they don't bring anybody else with them," says LeValley.

Carlos says another concern is someone focused on just hitting their own goals.

"It would be a little concerning if someone was not looking at things holistically, [saying things like] 'I hit like this metric of X tickets, therefore, I should be a manager,' she said. "It's not just about that, there's a lot more to consider."

She adds that you have to focus on empowering those around you.

"What the mindset shift for a manager is, how do you multiply your impact through these people and empower them, work through them, lead them toward this conclusion and this performance?" says Carlos.

11. Learn and practice.

Who better to learn from than people who have done it before?

You already know this, of course, that's why you're reading this article. But let's explore how our HubSpot managers learned and practiced leadership before they stepped into their roles.

"One of my mentors would say the call to leadership is a call to preparation," Simmons said. "So, one of the things I would do, and I'm kind of maniacal about this, is read everything I could on leadership, watch videos, listen to talks.

Simmons' favorite books on leadership include "Start With Why" by Simon Sinek, " Multipliers" by Liz Wiseman, " Extreme Ownership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and " The Ideal Team Player" by Patrick Lencioni. Oh, and anything by John Maxwell.

Simmons also volunteered for leadership roles outside of his company.

"Following the 10,000-hour rule, I was spending two hours every Saturday for eight years, not only facilitating conversation within the group but also taking leadership roles, organizing community service projects," he says.

"[Part of that preparation] is volunteering out the time to become a better leader because again, you are a leader before you actually have the role."

On her end, Ladd leaned on her colleagues who exhibited behaviors she wanted to replicate.

"Doing the work before you get there is so important," she says. "For me, it was 'What's that thing Maggie does to ensure that folks feel psychologically safe in meetings?' I want to make sure I do that, too."

She continued, "How do you facilitate an in-depth conversation like Alex does and make sure that it's something that folks want to engage with?"

Learning from your peers is as valuable as learning from the greats. Once you learn the strategies, practice, practice, practice.

12. Network across.

One of the biggest missed opportunities you can make on your journey to becoming a manager is not connecting with your peers.

LeValley recalls her own experience with this.

"I was in an environment where I was considerably older than the colleagues in my office and I wasn't into what they were into. So, I did a lot of separating myself because look, I'm here to do a job [and] I'm going to go to work," she says, "but that wasn't good because I didn't receive feedback like 'Are you a fit?' That shouldn't matter, but it does. Are you a fit for management?"

She was trustworthy, professional, and capable, but one thing she hadn't thought about was the social aspect of being a manager.

"When we go out for beers as a management team, do we want you there? And I contrast that with my friend who doesn't drink at all, but they still wanted her there," LeValley adds. "So it's not that you have to drink."

Not only is networking important for getting that approval from your peers, but also getting to know them.

"One indication of a good manager is what they know individually about all the other people that they used to work with," Jones says. "If you don't know much about them, like their individual working styles, then that tells me that you are managing them in a one-size-fits-all approach."

Being a manager means understanding that it takes different tactics to manage different people. You'll only know what those are by getting to know everyone on a personal level.

At the core of all these tips is a commitment to elevating those around you and being aligned with the company's needs.

By using a combination of the tactics outlined above, you'll become a manager in no time - just as these five managers did.

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12 Tips on How to Become a Manager: From 5 People Who Did

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The million-dollar question is, how do you get noticed? Some say it's by taking on big projects. Others believe face-to-face interactions with upper management are key. The truth is, it's a combination of those two steps and many others.

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Language TED Translators
By Krystian Aparta
They say that children learn languages the best. But that doesn't mean that adults should give up. We asked some of the polyglots in TED's Open Translation Project to share their secrets to mastering a foreign language. Their best strategies distill into seven basic principles:

1. Get real. Decide on a simple, attainable goal to start with so that you don't feel overwhelmed. German translator Judith Matz suggests: "Pick up 50 words of a language and start using them on people - and then slowly start picking up grammar."
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2. Make language-learning a lifestyle change. Elisabeth Buffard, who in her 27 years of teaching English has always seen consistency as what separates the most successful students from the rest. Find a language habit that you can follow even when you're tired, sick or madly in love.
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3. Play house with the language. The more you invite a foreign language into your daily life, the more your brain will consider it something useful and worth caring about. "Use every opportunity to get exposed to the new language," says Russian translator Olga Dmitrochenkova. Label every object in your house in this language, read kids' books written in it, watch subtitled TED and TEDx talks, or live-narrate parts of your day to an imaginary foreign friend.
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4. Let technology help you out. Dmitrochenkova has a great idea: "A funny thing like resetting the language on your phone can help you learn new words right away," she says. Ditto for changing the language on your browser. Or you can seek out more structured learning opportunities online. Dutch translator Els De Keyser recommends Duolinguo for its gamified approach to grammar, and Anki for memorizing vocabulary with its "intelligent" flashcards.
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5. Think about language-learning as a gateway to new experiences. To Spanish translator Sebastián Betti, learning a language has always been about focusing on the experiences that the new language would open up, from "visiting theme parks, attending air shows, enjoying cowboy poetry and folk-rock festivals, to learning about photo-essay techniques." In other words, he thinks of fun things that he wanted to do anyway, and makes them into a language-learning opportunity. Many of our translators shared this advice. Italian and French translator Anna Minoli learned English by watching undubbed versions of her favorite movies, while Croatian translator Ivan Stamenković suddenly realized he could speak English in fifth grade, after years of watching the Cartoon Network without subtitles. So the next time you need a vegan carrot cake recipe, find one in the language you're trying to learn.
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6. Make new friends. Interacting in the new language is key - it will teach you to intuitively express your thoughts, instead of mentally translating each sentence before you say it. Find native speakers near you. Or search for foreign penpals or set up a language tandem online, where two volunteers help one another practice their respective languages.
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7. Do not worry about making mistakes. One of the most common barriers to conversing in a new language is the fear of making mistakes. But native speakers are like doting parents: any attempt from you to communicate in their language is objective proof that you are a gifted genius. They'll appreciate your effort and even help you. Nervous about holding a conversation with a peer? Try testing your language skills with someone a little younger. "I was stoked when I was chatting with an Italian toddler and realized we had the same level of Italian," recalls German translator Judith Matz. And be patient. The more you speak, the closer you'll get to the elusive ideal of "native-like fluency." And to talking to people your own age.

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How to learn a new language: 7 secrets from TED Translators

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We asked some of the polyglots in TED's Open Translation Project to share their secrets to mastering a foreign language.