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If I want to major in wildlife and wetland conservation and minor in watershed management, what should I consider doing for a career and where should I look?

I am wondering if there are certain areas around the world where I would find more opportunities or if there are specific places I should consider applying to that would allow me to put my knowledge to use?

career career-choice environmental-science wildlife
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Karolina’s Answer

Hi Ruby, I go to the University of Florida, also known as the "Swamp," and the perfect setting to start a career in wildlife and wetland conservation. UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is a powerhouse in environmental science, wildlife ecology, and watershed management. IFAS offers incredible, hands on opportunities in labs and research that can build a strong foundation for your future.
With your interest in major and minor, you might explore careers like conservation biology, wetland ecology, watershed coordination, or environmental consulting. I recommend starting by gaining experience through internships, volunteer fieldwork, and building connections with professors or professionals in the field. Even something like sending an email or asking to shadow someone can open a lot of doors or new perspectives. Also consider reaching out to national parks, state agencies, organizations like The Nature Conservancy or your state’s Fish and Wildlife department. These exposures will help you grow professionally and guide you toward a speciality you're most passionate about.
Wishing you all the best on your journey!

Karolina
Thank you comment icon Thank you so much, Karolina! Ruby
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Mikaela’s Answer

This sounds like a very fulfilling career. I would recommend you first do some research on what kinds of jobs people with those backgrounds can get. My Dad has a degree in Forestry and Natural resources and was a state forester for a long time. There are a ton of government jobs for this kind of work and I would encourage you to reach out to your local national or local park and see if there are opportunities to be a summer ranger or get involved in their programs.
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Daniel’s Answer

Hi Ruby!

It depends on what you want to get into conservation space, but you have many options on this side of the pond to get your career started!

If you're a student, I would begin by researching any and all opportunities your school has in conservation management outside of coursework. Connect with your peers for extracurricular activities, set up your own club, and connect with your instructors to see if they can connect you with someone from their network. Consider study abroad programs and regions you are interested in that has a strong conservation management presence in the region.

If you're just starting your career or about to, I would look into internships or entry level positions at government agencies which can be local, state, or federal. These positions will get you the hands on experience you need to determine which path you want to go down.

Additionally, I would seek guidance and knowledge from people in the industry! Professional networking sites are a great resource, but consider joining professional organizations to expand your network. Finding a mentor in any industry is incredibly important!
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Peter’s Answer

There are definitely meaningful careers in conservation and watershed work. A good way to start is by volunteering at local parks or conservation areas to get hands-on experience — it helps you figure out what part of the field you might enjoy.

Also, research schools that offer strong programs in this area. I went to MSU and know students who studied something similar — they found success by staying involved and exploring their options early on. One thing I think that helped them was experience, finding a job that related to the major. I know one guy who was working in one of the parks near campus, so definitely keep an eye out and reach out for those sort of opportunities. Best of luck!
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Laura’s Answer

Hi Ruby, I have a similar background and ended up finding my career footing through a NOAA fellowship and would highly recommend applying! They offer 1 and 2 year paid fellowships across the U.S. (and some island nations) focused on conservation and resilience. While this one is "coastal" they partner with orgs that work all over the country. For example, I ended up working as a shared fellow between The Nature Conservancy and The Association of State Floodplain Managers. Both of those organizations would be great to look into individually as well as National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERR) since they have branches in every state and often do internships etc. Hope that helps and thank you for the rewarding work you are embarking on - it sounds like you're moving in the right direction!

https://coast.noaa.gov/fellowship/
https://www.floods.org/
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/careers/
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Martha’s Answer

Hi Ruby - this is a terrific question, and Karolina has given you solid advice. The University of Florida does show up on lists. Other US colleges to consider are:
- The University of New England - see link below
- State University of New York - see link below
- UC Berkeley
- University of Rhode Island

There also programs in other countries that may be great for study abroad:
Canada
Australia
United Kingdom
South Africa
New Zealand
Germany

You may also want to look under "Environmental Science". As for careers, Karolina mentioned some terrific governmental organizations. I suggest going to the US Bureau for Labor Statistics for more ideas. Good luck!

Martha recommends the following next steps:

UNE - https://undergrad.une.edu/environmental-science/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22052576125&gbraid=0AAAAA-i_BL19Y8d29W8VJt0tuHZQLju7H&gclid=CjwKCAjw3f_BBhAPEiwAaA3K5DtGmlr39EygUsgHcSVFj1PFaHv9qTYCFEgpbVqaotABwSXooNvIORoCtDkQAvD_BwE
SUNY - https://www.morrisville.edu/sustainability-programs?utm_source=Encoura&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Encoura-SEM-Environmental&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20816141721&gbraid=0AAAAApXMJCh8241bKR0rtLaJcOp1grr1R&gclid=CjwKCAjw3f_BBhAPEiwAaA3K5G_54RUpOtoTK2stVUhhI7rcmDplGU4-idECjKN-20ZKl7xQErmf4hoCAIwQAvD_BwE
Thank you comment icon Thank you, Martha for the advice. Ruby
Thank you comment icon You're welcome! Martha Kramer
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