Environmental Studies Major Meets Career
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.
Discover Career Pathways for BA Environmental Studies Graduates
Career Options
Sustainability/Conservation
Working in the field of resource management/conservation i.e. energy, soil, land, animals, plants, water.
Services/research around renewable energy services.
Forest, Aquatic, Desert, Arctic land preservation and management
Sustainable building, materials, and planning.
Resources for access to clean and sustainable potable water sources.
Building/Zoning/T ransportation/Aviation planning.
National / State park service.
Open Space & outdoor recreation management
State/federal tourism agencies re: land usage.
Mining / Construction education and management re: sustainability.
Education
Teaching
Research
Policy reform & law re: environmentalism & conservation
Media and public relations
Tourism chamber and visitor center support/ management
Health & Healing
Herbalism
Apothecary
Plant & Alternative Medicines
Traditional Medicines
Physical Education
Wellness initiatives
Wilderness Therapy
In the Field
Design/planning around recreation usage/management
Forestry both urban, rural and in various communities
Permaculture farms, communities and efforts
Environmental conservation re: protesting, research, hands-on support
Farming support, planning, management
Gardening in communities, rural areas, CSA management
Reforestation efforts
Fire-service
Forest health, ecology and conservation management
Wildlife & aviary support
Forest / Park ranger
Arborist
Landscape Design/Management
Design, planning & implementation
Preservation, sustainability & conservation
Construction, management
Landscape maintenance/management
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
Wildlife & Wilderness conservation, management and rehabilitation centers
Species Survival
Ecology & biology re: health, habitats, sustainability and renewable resources
Advocacy, policy and work in the justice / legal systems
Parks and Recreation
Wildlife research & grant funded projects
Animal Control
Zoology
Biodiversity
Organic Industry & Production
Creating products, crops
Farming, permaculture analysis and management
Consulting and management
Greenhouse and nurseries
Marketing / sales work for various organic products/organizations
Organic certification
Product development
Hemp and CBD products/industry
Horticulture
Plant, vegetable and fruit production
Greenhouse and nursery management
Education/Outreach
Urban horticulture & forestry
Horticulture therapy
Marketing, Sales & Communications
Facilities and maintenance
Potential Employers
Education
Public, private, charter, unconventional & Waldorf schools
Colleges and Universities
Chamber bureaus, visitor centers and tourism organizations
Museums
Nature center organizations and parks
Botanical gardens
Magazine, newspaper and publishing companies
Local, state, and federal government parks
Wildlife / wilderness centers & refuges
Youth organizations, camps, nonprofits
Environmental education centers
Management/Business
B-Corp
Being involved in a Non-profit re: grant writing, fundraising, marketing, outreach, etc.
Creating your own organization re: sustainability & conservation, consulting, research, analysis
Outdoor Recreation companies
NCOS
Hemp & Natural products organizations
Plant, herbalism and natural medicines
National/State Parks
Fire service management / administration
Sustainability program analysis/consulting for various organization
Research
Nonprofits/grant-funded projects
Federal / State / Local Government
Market research & consulting firms
Universities and Colleges
Labs & regulatory agencies i.e. B-Corp, US Department of Agriculture, FDA, Environmental Protection Agency
Horticulture
Public and botanic gardens
Arboreta and conservatories
Museums
Radio and television stations
Magazines, newspapers, and internet sites
Zoos and aquariums
Cities and parks
State highway departments
Cemeteries
Theme parks
Extension offices
Hospitals and therapy centers
Nursing homes and senior centers
Freelance writer
Nurseries, greenhouses, florists, and other wholesale and retail companies
Plant propagation and production businesses
Agribusinesses
Harvesting companies
Agrochemical companies
Consulting firms
State and federal departments of agriculture
Extension offices
High schools, colleges, and universities
Self-employment
Organic Farming/Production
Nonprofit organizations
Permaculture
Organic Farms
State and federal departments of agriculture
Plant propagation and production businesses
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
Wildlife & Wilderness conservation, management and rehabilitation centers
Species Survival
Ecology & biology re: health, habitats, sustainability and renewable resources
Advocacy, policy and work in the justice / legal systems
Parks and Recreation
Wildlife research & grant funded projects
Animal Control
Zoology
Biodiversity
Organic Industry & Production
Creating products, crops
Farming, permaculture analysis and management
Consulting and management
Greenhouse and nurseries
Marketing / sales work for various organic products/organizations
Organic certification
Product development
Hemp and CBD products/industry
Fieldwork
Fish and wildlife service
National park service
Bureau of Land Management
Natural resources conservation service
Heritage conservation and recreation service
Geologic survey
Environmental protection agency
Departments of environmental conservation
The World bank
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Peace Corps
Non-governmental organizations,(e.g., The Nature Conservancy, Leave No Trace, Sierra Club)
Botanical gardens
• Nurseries
• Florists
Government
Local, State & Federal governments
Natural Resource Conservation
Department of Agriculture
Department of Health and Human Services
Tourism and chamber bureaus
Forest Service Fish and Wildlife Service
National Park Service
Bureau of Land Management
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Open Space & Recreation management
Historical Sites
Indigenous community advocacy, policy, protection and conservation
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
