Environment & Sustainability
- Do you consider yourself problem-focused, thoughtful, or eco-friendly?
- Are you interested in learning about human/environment interactions or conservation efforts that support sustainable living?
- Does it sound like fun to conduct field work outside?
- Could you see yourself analyzing environmental data through geologic mapping, helping to prevent environmental hazard disasters, or advocating for “going green"?
Careers in this community focus on studying the physical aspects of the earth and applying knowledge to educate and inform on how to protect the environment and human/animal health.
Meet the Community Advisors
Sample Occupations & Industries
- Aquatic Toxicologist
- Arborist
- Campaign Organizer
- Climate Change Analyst
- Community Organizer
- Conservation Manager
- Ecologist
- Ecotourism Director
- Energy Specialist
- Environmental Analyst/Manager/Planner
- Environmental Economist
- Environmental Engineer
-
Environmental Accountant/Marketing Assistant/Public Relations Associate
-
Farmer's Market Manager
-
Field Research Coordinator
- Forester/Forestry Technician
- Geodatabase Analyst
- GIS Analyst/Coordinator/Specialist
- Hydrologist
- Land Conservation Specialist
- Natural Resources Specialist
- Marine Biologist
- Museum Technician/Assistant
- Outdoor Guide
- Park Ranger
- Peace Corps Member
- Seed Collector
- Sustainability Coordinator/Specialist
- Urban/Regional Planners
- Wastewater Treatment Specialist
- Water Conservation Specialist
- Water Quality Specialist
- Watershed Restoration Specialist
- Wildlife Specialist
- Wind Energy Operations/Project Manager
Vault for UI Students (Click on "Guides", then "Other Industries" to view
- Vault Guide to Environmental Careers
- Vault Guide to Environmental Science and Conservation Jobs
- Vault Guide to Green Programs
- Vault Guide to Park and Public Land Jobs
EcoCareers Slide Deck, UI Campus Visit March 2017, courtesy of Kevin Doyle, Principal at Green Economy
B Corps (Find for-profit companies who meet rigorous social and environmental standards)
Campus Sustainability Resources (UI Office of Sustainability)
Career Information for Undergraduates (Ecological Society of America)
GreenBiz
Green Marketing
Environmental Accounting
For information about UI majors, see Find Your Program.
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to put your interests to good use? Join with other students who share them. Check out relevant departmental student organizations such as:
Discover student organizations which relate to Environment & Sustainability at the Center for Student Involvement and Leadership. You can browse the database by letter or search by keyword or name for locating student organizations. Some examples of organizations that may be of interest are:
- American Association of petroleum Geologists
- American Wind Energy Association
- Campus Museum Collective
- ECO Hawks
- Environmental Coalition
- Food Pantry at Iowa
- Food Recovery Network
- UI Gardeners
- Hawkeye Water to Thrive
- Net Impact UIowa
Additional Groups:
Volunteering is another great way to explore your interests, build your resume, and connect with the community!
- Volunteer Center of Johnson County
- UI Alternative Spring Break Service Trips
- UI Volunteer Fair (held at the start of each semester)
If you don’t want to join a club or don’t have the time, you can find activities and events related to your interests via After Class
Environment/Conservation/Sustainability
Food/Agriculture
Professional Organizations are a great way to Explore, Prepare, Experience and Achieve!
Explore: Learn what people in the industry do, talk about, and take action on.
Prepare: Learn job titles, companies, and organizational/thought leaders.
Experience: Check out the resources; including specialized job boards, and LinkedIn groups to find mentors and job shadowing/informational interviewing opportunities.
Achieve: Polish your professional image by taking an active part in your industry’s association. Reach your goals through networking and the professional development opportunities your association provides.
Environment/Conservation/Sustainability