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Career Opportunities for Majors in Ecology & Natural Resources

Introduction

The ecology and natural resources major provides an understanding of how natural living systems function and evolve, and how they can be managed to conserve biodiversity while providing benefits to people. Students may pursue course work that prepares them for traditional careers in resource management or they may take a broader array of courses that meets interests related to the conservation of natural resources and the ecology and evolution of natural systems. Graduates may pursue further study at the graduate level or find career opportunities in academe and in public or private organizations involved in the management of natural resources. This major provides a broad general understanding of the functioning, significance, and conservation of living systems. The flexibility of this major is intended to meet a variety of student interests and needs. Students are encouraged to organize curricular and elective courses to fulfill simultaneously the requirements of a minor or certificate program. Particularly appropriate are the 5-year Science Teacher Education Program, the certificate in Environmental Geomatics, and the certificate in Urban/Community Forestry.

A bachelor's degree is sufficient for most advanced technician positions in a wide variety of organizations. As one progresses in the field an advanced degree might be required. While most graduates work in related occupations and eventually obtain advanced degrees, others choose different directions. Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and involvement in college activities.

A Sample of Related Occupations

Agricultural Business Rep.	Forester	Plant Geneticist/Breeder
Agricultural Inspector	Fundraiser	Preserve Mngr.
Agronomist	Geographic Info. Systems Specialist	Public Affairs Mngr.
Biologist	Grass Roots Coordinator	Quality Control Analyst
Cattle Buyer	Human Resources Professional	Remediation Specialist
Conservationist	Hydrogeologist	Seed Analyst
County Extension Director	Laboratory Researcher	Soil Conservationist/Engineer
Ecotourism Coordinator	Lobbyist	Statistician
Environmental Educator	Naturalist	Vocational/Agriculture Teacher
Environmental Planner	Nursery Owner	Water Resources Mngr.
Fish Hatchery Mngr.	Park Conservationist	Watershed Technologist
Firewarden	Park Superintendent	Wildlife Mngr.

Types of Employers

Private & Non-profit Organizations
Agricultural Products Manufacturers	Engineering Firms	Pharmaceutical Firms
Colleges/Universities	Environmental Firms/Groups	Public/Private Schools
Biotechnology Firms	Fermentation Companies	Research Centers
Botanical Gardens	Forest Management Agencies	Watershed Associations
Chemical Manufacturers	Laboratories	Weed Control Companies
Conservation Organizations	Lumber/Paper Companies	Wholesale Distributers
Consulting Groups	Nature Conservancies	World Wildlife Fund
Crop/Soil Management Firms	Nature Science Centers

Government Agencies
Agricultural Research Stations	Dept. of Agriculture	Peace Corps
Bureau of Land Management	Dept. of Environmental Protection	Shade Tree Commission
Bureau of Reclamation	Dept. of Interior	Soil Conservation Service
Consumer Affairs Dept.	Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife	Teach for America
Conservation Dept.	NASA	U.S. Forest Service
Cooperative Extension Services	National Institutes of Health
County Greenway Organization	National Science Foundation

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

First Jobs of Recent Graduates
Agricultural Sales Rep., Lesco, Inc.	Owner, Alpha Laser
Aquatic Toxicologist/Biologist, Aqua Survey, Inc.	Park Ranger, Yellowstone National Park
Client Service Representative, Prudential	Parks Conservationist, East Brunswick Township
Environ. Educator, Stonybrook Millstone Watershed Assoc.	Program Administrator, Delaware & Raritan Greenway
Environ. Specialist, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection	Rehabilitation Director, International Bird Research Center
Field Researcher, Rutgers University - Cook College	Research Assistant, Fisheries & Wildlife, Univ. of Missouri
Fish & Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service	Sales Associate, Agway
Forest Fire Lookout, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture	Soil Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources
Land Steward, New Jersey Conservancy Foundation	Technician, ARC of Somerset County
Naturalist, Trailside Nature & Science Center	Waterfowl Technician, NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife

Jobs of Experienced Alumni
Account Mngr., B. Shehadi & Sons	Environmental Toxicologist, Roy F. Weston, Inc.
Agricultural Resource Specialist, State Agriculture Development Committee	Extension Forestry Specialist, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (MS Forestry)
Aquatic GIS Research Specialist, Cornell University (MS Nat. Res. Mgmt.)	Mngr., Anadromus Fish Div., American Literal Society
Asst. Director, NJ State Park Service (MS Nat. Res. Mgmt.)	Mngr., Volunteer Services, Liberty Science Center
Associate Forester, Richard D. Goodenough Assoc. Inc.	Owner, Agserve Land Management (MS Entomology)
Computer Specialist, USDA	President, Eastern State Environmental Assoc.
Conservation Officer, NJ Div. of Fish, Game & Wildlife	Principal Environ. Scientist, NJ Dept. of Envir. Protection
Database Coordinator, NJ Div. of Fish, Game & Wildlife	Resources Conservationist, USDA NRCS
Director of Operations, A.G. Matthew & Co.	Senior Ecologist, Exponent Environmental Group
District Mngr., T. Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation (MS Nat. Res. Mgmt.)	Senior Environmental Scientist, ICF Kaiser Engineering
Deputy Attorney General, NJ Division of Criminal Justice (JD)	Sr. Environmental Specialist, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection
Education Director, Stony Brook - Millstone Watershed Association	State Resource Inventory Specialist, USDA
Entomologist, Dept. of the Navy (MS Entomology)	Senior Watershed Specialist, Stonybrook Watershed Assoc.
Environmental Scientist, Louis Berger & Assoc., Inc.	Superintendent/Parks & Forestry, Bellplain State Forest
Environmental Specialist, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection	Trading Administrator, Trade ARBED

Graduate Schools Attended

Cornell University, MS Natural Resource Management	University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, PhD, Herpetology
Cornell University, School of Veterinary Medicine, DVM	University of Vermont, MS, Natural Resources
Penn State University, MS, Entomology	Virginia Tech, MS, Natural Resource Management
Rutgers University, MS, Natural Resource Management

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.


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