There is a wide range of career options related to ecology and the environment in the life sciences, earth sciences, social sciences and engineering. If you enjoy learning and working with animals or plants, are curious how life works on earth, are interested in maintaining a healthy planet, or addressing today's global challenges, you might enjoy a career in the areas of ecology or the environment. Individuals working in these fields often work in laboratories, government offices, educational institutions, non-profit organizations, private industry, or the outdoors. Depending on the position, you may spend time in the field gathering data, studying animals, plants and the ecosystem, monitoring air or water quality, or managing and protecting natural resources. Yet in other positions you may work to determine environmental impacts, ensure that companies are in compliance with environmental laws, or develop and manage sustainable communities.
Some possible job titles include:
- Anthropologist
- Archeologist
- Biochemist
- Environmental Consultant
- Environmental Engineer
- Field Ecologist
- Forest Worker
- Geologist
- Geoscientist
- Habitat Conservationist
- Hydrologist
- Microbiologist
- Natural Resource Manager
- Wildlife Biologist
- Zoologist
Areas of Interest
The Occupational Outlook Handbook provides detailed information about career options in Anthropology, Archeology, Biochemistry, Conservation Science, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Forestry, Geology, Geoscience, Hydrology, Microbiology, Wildlife Biology, Zoology.
Related fields
If you have an interest in careers in ecology or environmental science, you might also be interested in exploring careers in: agriculture, animal science, biological sciences, business and management, education and teaching, engineering and computer science, food and beverage, law and public policy, planning and development, government, international and nonprofit.
Major Information
To find out where fellow Aggies interned and found employment by major, use the ICC data pages.
Campus Organizations
Student organizations are a great place to connect with others exploring similar career interests. Use the keyword search in the Center for Student Involvement's OrgSync database to find student organizations that relate to your interests.
Master's and Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral scholars can participate in and take on leadership roles in campus organizations such as the Graduate Student Association, Chancellor's Graduate and Professional Student Advisory Board and the Postdoctoral Scholar’s Association.
Professional Associations
Joining professional associations related to the industry you are interested in provides access to professionals in the field, and networking opportunities which can lead to potential jobs and internships. Many national associations have state and local chapters you can join. Involvement in associations can also provide you insider updates on industry trends and best practices. One of the best ways to identify relevant associations is to search for them online, but we have provided some resources below to get you started. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
- Air and Waste Management Association
- American Anthropological Association
- American Institute of Hydrology
- American Planning Association
- American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- American Society for Microbiology
- Association of American State Geologists
- Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists
- Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences
- California Forestry Association (Calforests)
- Ecological Society of America
- Geological Society of America
- International Association of Landscape Ecology
- Mineralogical Society of America
- National Environmental Health Association
- National Association of Environmental Professionals
- Society for Conservation Biology
- Society for Ecological Restoration International
- Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry
- Society for Human Ecology
- Society of Toxicology
- Society of Wetland Scientists
- Soil Science Society of America
- Wildlife Society Western Section
- Wildlife Society
- Zoological Association of America
Visit the ICC and Meet with an Advisor
For further guidance narrowing down your career interests, you can schedule an advising appointment. Our advising page has a list of all ICC advisors or you can review the list of undergraduate advisors below: