Environmental Studies Major Meets Career
Discover Career Pathways for BA Environmental Studies Graduates
Some recent career paths of graduates of the Environmental Studies program include holistic health practitioner, organic farmer, urban food manager, preschool teacher, operations manager of a gardening company, landscaper, not for profit organization director, artist, environmental educator, art teacher, interior designer, writer/editor, storm water coordinator for local government, and wilderness guide.
Career Options
Sustainability/Conservation
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Working in the field of resource management/conservation i.e. energy, soil, land, animals, plants, water.
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Services/research around renewable energy services.
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Forest, Aquatic, Desert, Arctic land preservation and management
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Sustainable building, materials, and planning.
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Resources for access to clean and sustainable potable water sources.
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Building/Zoning/T ransportation/Aviation planning.
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National / State park service.
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Open Space & outdoor recreation management
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State/federal tourism agencies re: land usage.
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Mining / Construction education and management re: sustainability.
Education
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Teaching
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Research
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Policy reform & law re: environmentalism & conservation
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Media and public relations
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Tourism chamber and visitor center support/ management
Health & Healing
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Herbalism
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Apothecary
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Plant & Alternative Medicines
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Traditional Medicines
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Physical Education
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Wellness initiatives
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Wilderness Therapy
In the Field
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Design/planning around recreation usage/management
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Forestry both urban, rural and in various communities
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Permaculture farms, communities and efforts
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Environmental conservation re: protesting, research, hands-on support
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Farming support, planning, management
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Gardening in communities, rural areas, CSA management
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Reforestation efforts
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Fire-service
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Forest health, ecology and conservation management
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Wildlife & aviary support
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Forest / Park ranger
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Arborist
Landscape Design/Management
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Design, planning & implementation
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Preservation, sustainability & conservation
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Construction, management
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Landscape maintenance/management
Management/Business
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Working with / for a B-Corp
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Supporting B-Corp & efforts, research and analysis
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Being involved in a nonprofit re: grant writing, fundraising, marketing, outreach
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Creating your own organization re: sustainability & conservation consulting, research, analysis
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Outdoor Recreation companies
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National/State Parks
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Forestry organizations & management
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Fire planning/control
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Sustainability Program analysis/consulting for various organizations
Wilderness/Wildlife
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Wildlife & Wilderness conservation, management and rehabilitation centers
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Species Survival
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Ecology & biology re: health, habitats, sustainability and renewable resources
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Advocacy, policy and work in the justice / legal systems
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Parks and Recreation
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Wildlife research & grant funded projects
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Animal Control
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Zoology
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Biodiversity
Organic Industry & Production
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Creating products, crops
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Farming, permaculture analysis and management
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Consulting and management
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Greenhouse and nurseries
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Marketing / sales work for various organic products/organizations
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Organic certification
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Product development
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Hemp and CBD products/industry
Horticulture
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Plant, vegetable and fruit production
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Greenhouse and nursery management
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Education/Outreach
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Urban horticulture & forestry
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Horticulture therapy
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Marketing, Sales & Communications
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Facilities and maintenance
Potential Employers
Education
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Public, private, charter, unconventional & Waldorf schools
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Colleges and Universities
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Chamber bureaus, visitor centers and tourism organizations
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Museums
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Nature center organizations and parks
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Botanical gardens
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Magazine, newspaper and publishing companies
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Local, state, and federal government parks
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Wildlife / wilderness centers & refuges
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Youth organizations, camps, nonprofits
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Environmental education centers
Management/Business
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B-Corp
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Being involved in a Non-profit re: grant writing, fundraising, marketing, outreach, etc.
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Creating your own organization re: sustainability & conservation, consulting, research, analysis
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Outdoor Recreation companies
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NCOS
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Hemp & Natural products organizations
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Plant, herbalism and natural medicines
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National/State Parks
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Fire service management / administration
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Sustainability program analysis/consulting for various organization
Research
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Nonprofits/grant-funded projects
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Federal / State / Local Government
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Market research & consulting firms
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Universities and Colleges
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Labs & regulatory agencies i.e. B-Corp, US Department of Agriculture, FDA, Environmental Protection Agency
Horticulture
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Public and botanic gardens
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Arboreta and conservatories
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Museums
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Radio and television stations
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Magazines, newspapers, and internet sites
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Zoos and aquariums
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Cities and parks
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State highway departments
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Cemeteries
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Theme parks
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Extension offices
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Hospitals and therapy centers
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Nursing homes and senior centers
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Freelance writer
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Nurseries, greenhouses, florists, and other wholesale and retail companies
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Plant propagation and production businesses
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Agribusinesses
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Harvesting companies
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Agrochemical companies
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Consulting firms
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State and federal departments of agriculture
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Extension offices
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High schools, colleges, and universities
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Self-employment
Organic Farming/Production
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Nonprofit organizations
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Permaculture
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Organic Farms
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State and federal departments of agriculture
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Plant propagation and production businesses
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Self-employment
Management/Business
Working with / for a B-Corp
Supporting B-Corp & efforts, research and analysis
Being involved in a nonprofit re: grant writing, fundraising, marketing, outreach
Creating your own organization re: sustainability & conservation consulting, research, analysis
Outdoor Recreation companies
National/State Parks
Forestry organizations & management
Fire planning/control
Sustainability Program analysis/consulting for various organizations
Wilderness/Wildlife
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Wildlife & Wilderness conservation, management and rehabilitation centers
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Species Survival
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Ecology & biology re: health, habitats, sustainability and renewable resources
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Advocacy, policy and work in the justice / legal systems
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Parks and Recreation
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Wildlife research & grant funded projects
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Animal Control
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Zoology
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Biodiversity
Organic Industry & Production
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Creating products, crops
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Farming, permaculture analysis and management
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Consulting and management
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Greenhouse and nurseries
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Marketing / sales work for various organic products/organizations
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Organic certification
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Product development
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Hemp and CBD products/industry
Fieldwork
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Fish and wildlife service
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National park service
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Bureau of Land Management
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Natural resources conservation service
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Heritage conservation and recreation service
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Geologic survey
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Environmental protection agency
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Departments of environmental conservation
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The World bank
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Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
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Peace Corps
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Non-governmental organizations,(e.g., The Nature Conservancy, Leave No Trace, Sierra Club)
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Botanical gardens
• Nurseries
• Florists
Government
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Local, State & Federal governments
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Natural Resource Conservation
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Department of Agriculture
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Department of Health and Human Services
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Tourism and chamber bureaus
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Forest Service Fish and Wildlife Service
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National Park Service
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Bureau of Land Management
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Natural Resources Conservation Service
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Open Space & Recreation management
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Historical Sites
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Indigenous community advocacy, policy, protection and conservation
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Land protection/management
Career Path Preparedness
Strategies for Success
- Sign up for the Internship class and complete an internship related to the psychology/counseling field. See the Career & Life Development office on MyNaropa for the full internship site list and for a variety of different organizations to get involved in.
- Get involved in school leadership groups & resources i.e. SUN, the Naropa community & student counseling centers, residence halls, CARE team, conflict / mediation support, leadership groups, etc.
- Complete a service learning project aligned with your career goals / path. See your COR professors & advisors for details.
- Align your classes, curriculum, research projects and thesis / capstone projects with your career goals / path.
- Volunteer / familiarize yourself with organizations that align with your career goals & provide the opportunity for hands-on training – think: open space, trail crews, wilderness / wildlife conservation, wilderness medicine institute, policy change organizations, leave-no-trace, nature conservancy, sustainability organizations.
- Earn a minor in a specialized field of interest.
- Get started in an entry-level position in the environmental field.
- Pursue a graduate degree in environmental studies/sustainability/conservation.
- Join professional associations and stay abreast of governmental and legislative climate re: environmentalism.
- Get out and explore. Immerse yourself in outdoor / environmental skills and interests.
- Attend workshops, conferences, MeetUps, panels, rallies to build your network and get involved in grassroots initiatives.
Continuing Education
If you plan on continuing your education in environmental studies in terms of a graduate degree, there are several things you will want to keep in mind while in your undergraduate studies:
- Academic work and the way you show up is VERY important. Put in your best effort academically and aim for a high grade point average.
- Relationships matter. REALLY matter. Build positive connections while in the Naropa community with faculty, staff, colleagues, etc. These relationships will continue to support you, and you can ask those same people to provide recommendation letters for your graduate degree applications!
- Get experience! A lot of it. Either through academic, internship, volunteer, or work opportunities. This will bolster your application and CV immensely!
Alumnx Spotlight
Getting connected with Naropa Alumnx is a great way to build your professional network and resources. Some ways to get involved are:
- Connect with Naropa’s Office of Development and the Alumnx Relations Officer at 303-546-3594 or nualumni@naropa.edu.
- Join Naropa University’s Facebook page
- Visit the Alumnx & Resources page.
- Reach out to Naropa Alumnx on Linkedln
- Attend Career & Life Development events and Alumnx panels
