Environmental careers are becoming more popular as society shifts its focus to the state of our environment. If you have the right skills and education, the forecast for environmental jobs is bright.

There are many different types of jobs in environmental and conservation sectors. Most notably, you could work on the technical side of things if you have a scientific mind. If you're more of a people person, fundraising may be a good way to satisfy your desire for environmental employment.

In order to secure the best environmental industry jobs:

1. Earn a college degree in a field that relates to environmental careers. Many of the best positions will require a college degree.

2. Ask a professional resume writer to prepare your resume. When competing for jobs, you should take advantage of anything that could give you a leg up. A professionally written resume will be tailored to the industry and help you to get environmental jobs.

3. Network whenever possible. Many people learn about environmental job opportunities through friends and colleagues.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start with internships to prepare for environment jobs

Employers want to hire people with experience and an internship can help you get the experience you need to compete in the marketplace. Many people try to get a summer internship while they are a student, so make sure you apply for positions early. Unfortunately, many internships are unpaid, so make sure to prepare for that.

I recommend: The Environmental Leadership Program helps to train promising students with the skills they need. If they accept you into the program, you may be eligible for a financial grant to cover your project expenses. The Student Conservation Association also offers a variety of environmental internships throughout the US.

Search for environmental job openings on industry specific job boards

If you want to do an environmental job search, try going to boards that specialize in finding environmental jobs. These types of boards often have better positions than some of the well-known job boards.

I recommend: Check out the resources on Cyber-Sierra. The links on the left will allow you to search through many different types of environment jobs. Environmental Career Opportunities also lists several types of jobs.

Use a professional recruiter to connect you to environmental industry jobs

Recruiters, or headhunters, help match potential employees with companies that are hiring. When you interview with a recruiter, you find that more opportunities open up for you.

I recommend: Contact Environmental Recruiting Services or RSMR Global Resources to find environmental and conservation jobs. Both of these companies match candidates with great employers. They may be what you need to find your next job.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep current by subscribing to environmental magazines. Environmental science is constantly making new discoveries and it's important that those who have environmental careers stay up to date on the latest trends.