Career: Conservation Scientists
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/John and Karen Hollingsworth
How do you manage a ranch so that it supports the most cattle while maintaining the land so wildlife can live there? Solving this type of issue is the job of a range manager. A soil conservationist, on the other hand, might figure out how to restore farmland where the soil has been worn away. A water conservationist may look at how to assure a clean water supply for a growing town.
All of these scientists make complex decisions to come up with plans that balance economic goals with environmental impact -- and meet government regulations.
Conservation scientists manage natural resources, such as rangeland and water. They develop programs that both make resources productive and protect them.
Did You Know?
- Schools rarely offer soil conservation as a major, but you can learn the trade in such programs as agricultural science or environmental studies.
Are You Ready To...?
- Work outdoors
- Spend time in the office or lab as you advance in your career
- Record the types of soils, plants, and animals in an area
- Restore damaged natural areas
- Prepare reports on the environmental impact of an activity such as logging
It Helps to Be...
A nature lover in good physical shape who enjoys working outdoors. You need to be a problem solver who likes coming up with original solutions to issues. You should enjoy the sciences and math. You must be able to both work independently and communicate with many types of people.
Make High School Count
- Get a good grounding in the life sciences, such as biology and ecology, and the physical sciences, such as statistics.
- You should also explore courses in such social sciences as economics and government.
- Get experience working with computers.
- Join the environmental club at your school or volunteer for a related government agency like the National Park Service or nonprofit group like The Sierra Club.
Did You Know?
- Having a specialty in the field, such as watershed management or agricultural economics, may make you more marketable.
Outlook
Government economists expect job growth for conservation scientists, compared with job growth in other fields, to be slower than average through 2016.
Opportunities in the government will be limited by budget cuts and the tendency to hire private contractors. New jobs will mostly be available in private consulting firms and scientific research and development services. While soil and water conservationists should find work nationwide, range managers will find that most work is in the western states.
Compensation
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, conservation scientists earned an average of $55,410 in 2006. Conservation scientists working for the government and large private companies often get better benefits than those working for small companies.
