To become a professional conservationist, a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field is required, and teaching or research in conservation science requires an advanced degree. Many conservationists pursue advanced degrees and professional certifications to remain competitive. Conservationists must love nature and work outdoors, and about 75% of conservationists work for some level of government. Related fields include geosciences, agriculture, food science, and biological science.
Conservationists take many forms. From the casual recycler to the researcher and environmental activist, conservationists are those who strive to protect nature’s resources from human destruction. That said, while someone can make a conscious effort to improve the environment, a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field is required to become a professional conservationist. Teaching or research in the field of conservation science requires an advanced degree, and many conservationists who do not intend to teach often pursue advanced degrees and professional certifications simply to remain competitive in the field. In the United States, 12 states require conservationists to obtain a license.
A person looking to become a conservationist can attend just about any school they want because environmental science courses are offered at top colleges and universities across the United States. If a school does not offer such a degree, a degree in a similar field such as biology, zoology or resource management should meet education requirements for most conservation jobs. Another option available at many universities is to work with consultants to create an individualized program of study from the courses offered at the school. Many degree programs will require the student to do some type of internship or research. This gives a person looking to become a conservationist an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field.
A person hoping to become a conservationist must love nature, because much of the work of conservationists is done outdoors. Conservationists sometimes have to work long hours in extreme weather conditions. While there are some desk jobs available to conservationists, many of them – such as teaching and management positions – require an advanced degree or years of experience.
While conservationists’ job duties vary widely, about 75% of conservationists work for some level of government, according to the US Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2008, there were 18,300 conservation jobs and a projected growth rate of 12% between 2008 and 2018. In addition to a growing field, a person who wants to become a conservationist can also expect a reasonable salary. In 2008, the median salary for a conservationist in the US was $58,720.
A person trying to become a conservationist may also be interested in closely related fields such as geosciences, agriculture and food science. Biological science, which includes zoology and wildlife science, is another similar field. Biological science jobs in 2011 are expected to start growing much faster than average, and pay for biologists is generally higher than for conservationists. One drawback is that most people employed in the biological sciences have advanced degrees.
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