Broad academic training in the sciences and math, in combination with specialized training within the NRC concentrations, prepare students for professional employment in state, federal, and non-profit conservation organizations, as well as environmental consulting firms and the green industry, or if students choose, to continue to graduate training. There are a wide variety of careers in natural resources conservation, including:
- Professional foresters and plant ecologists
- Wildlife and fisheries technicians and biologists
- Park managers and rangers
- Naturalists, environmental educators and outdoor recreation specialists
- Watershed scientists; water and landuse planners
- Environmental lawyers, policy-makers
- Conservation law enforcement officers
An education in natural resources conservation also provides students with the tools and knowledge to live a more sustainable life and to be a strong advocate for sound environmental stewardship.
NRC Career Planning Resources
In the Natural Resources Conservation program we care about your future career! We want you to succeed in all of your career goals. A positive attitude can take you far, but the resources below should be able to help you as you prepare for your career in the natural resources field.
On campus resources:
The College of Natural Sciences Career and Professional Development Center
- Drop in peer feedback on resumes and career materials
- Professionals who can help you with your career materials, specifically your resume, cover letter, linkedin page, interview practice. You can even sign up for a free professional headshot and a free professional outfit!
The UMass Professional Wardrobe Closet
- Free professional attire for attending career fairs, interviews, even graduation. Each student gets one free outfit!
UMass Career Hub Photo Booth - Professional Photos
- Get your free professional headshot here! In Goodell in the Iris Photo booth
- Sign up through Handshake
- Handshake is a leading career network and job board fo college students and recent graduates. UMass works with Handshake to provide students with access to all things career related, including job and internship opportunities, signing up for appointments with career professionals, and signing up for professional photos at the Career Hub Photo Booth. As a UMass student, you have a Handshake account, you just need to engage with it to make it work for you!
Job and internship boards and relevant websites:
- Texas A & M Natural Resources Job Board - this is a go-to job board for the natural resources field
- Queer Outdoor & Environmental Job Board - this is a job board for queer identifying folks and allies
- Student Conservation Association (SCA) Internships - environmental conservation internships in the United States
- NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates - well funded research opportunities for current undergraduate students
- Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Job Board - Conservation Agents and other municipal positions in Massachusetts towns
- MassAudubon Jobs - Conservation nonprofit in Massachusetts
- MassCareers - Jobs working for the state of Massachusetts - the Department of Conservation and Recreation has relevant positions - filter as needed
- USAJobs - this page is the interface for all federal jobs - consider the US Fish and Wildlife, Forest Service, Park Service, Army Corps of Engineers and others
- Conservation Job Board - career website for jobs in conservation, ecology, forestry, wildlife and fisheries
- ECOLOG-L - Ecology Society of America Job Board - note that this requires you to create a free account
- Ornithology Exchange Job Board - jobs related to ornithology and birds
- GreenJobSearch - National green job board, jobs in sustainability, climate, and the environment produced by the Green Jobs Network.
- National Park Service Employment - jobs within the Park Service
- Josh’s Water Jobs - water related career opportunities worldwide
AmeriCorps funded career service program opportunities:
- TerraCorps - Land conservation positions in southern New England - 11-month service terms across a network of community nonprofits working in conservation, sustainable farming, and local food systems - applications generally open in May
- American Conservation Experience - a national nonprofit conservation corps partnering with federal, state, and additional land management organizations to complete essential conservation projects while advancing emerging professionals in conservation
- Montana Conservation Corps - hands-on conservation service cultivating young people to be leaders, stewards of the land, and engaged citizens who improve their communities
- The Corps Network - Conservation Corps programs across the US
- AmeriCorps NCCC - strengthens communities and develops leaders through direct, team-based national and community service
Graduate school resources:
- Graduate Programs in the Department of Environmental Conservation UMass
- Masters or PhD in Environmental Conservation at UMass
- UMass 4+1 Accelerated Master’s Degree Programs
- UMass GIST 4+1 graduate program
- UMass Masters of Sustainability Science (MS3) Accelerated Masters Program
- URI General Graduate School Information
Other professional resources:
- NRC Alumni Career Panel recording - Zoom recording of career panel spring 2026
- Here is the unedited video
- Saving the Earth as a Career - Advice on Becoming a Conservation Professional - by Hunter et al. 2007