Conservationists come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Conservationists are those who work to protect nature’s resources from human destruction, from the casual recycler to the environmental researcher and activist. While anyone can make a conscious effort to improve the environment, becoming a professional conservationist requires a bachelor’s degree in environmental science or a related field. Teaching or researching in the field of conservation science necessitates a master’s degree, and many conservationists who do not intend to teach do so simply to stay competitive in the field. Twelve states in the United States require conservationists to obtain a license.
Environmental science majors are available at most major colleges and universities in the United States, so anyone interested in becoming a conservationist can attend almost any school. If a school does not offer such a major, a degree in a related field, such as biology, zoology, or natural resource management, should suffice for most conservationist jobs. Working with advisers to create an individualized study program from courses offered at the school is another option available at many universities. Many degree programs require students to complete an internship or research project. This provides an opportunity for someone interested in becoming a conservationist to gain practical experience.
Because much of conservationists’ work is done outside, anyone interested in becoming one should have a passion for nature. Conservationists are occasionally required to work long hours in inclement weather. While conservationists can find some desk jobs, many of them, such as teaching and management positions, require an advanced degree or years of experience.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Department of Labor, approximately 75% of conservationists work for some level of government. There were 18,300 conservationist jobs in 2008, with a projected growth rate of 12% between 2008 and 2018. A person who wants to work as a conservationist can expect a good salary in addition to a growing field. Conservationists in the United States earned a median salary of $58,720 in 2008.
A person pursuing a career as a conservationist may also be interested in fields such as geosciences, agriculture, and food science. Another field that is similar is biological science, which includes zoology and wildlife science. Biological science jobs were expected to grow much faster than average in 2011, and biologists’ pay is frequently higher than conservationists’. One disadvantage is that the majority of people working in the biological sciences have advanced degrees.