Introduction
The Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources major provides an understanding of how natural living systems function and evolve, and how they can be managed to conserve biodiversity while providing benefits to people. Students may pursue course work that prepares them for traditional careers in resource management or environmental education, or they may follow a path that meets interests related to the conservation of natural resources and the ecology and evolution of natural systems. Graduates may pursue further study at the graduate level or find career opportunities in public or private organizations involved in the management of natural resources. This major provides a broad general understanding of the functioning, significance, and conservation of living systems. The flexibility of this major is intended to meet a variety of student interests and needs. Students are encouraged to organize elective courses to fulfill the requirements of a minor or certificate program. Particularly appropriate are the 5-year Science Teacher Education Program, the certificate in Environmental Geomatics, and the certificate in Urban/Community Forestry.
A bachelor's degree is sufficient for most advanced technician positions in a wide variety of organizations. As one progresses in the field an advanced degree might be required. While most graduates work in related occupations and eventually obtain advanced degrees, others choose different directions. Many careers do not require a specific major, but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of your career choices, increase your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades, and involvement in college activities.
A Sample of Related Occupations
| Agricultural Business Rep. | Forester | Plant Geneticist/Breeder |
| Agricultural Inspector | Fundraiser | Preserve Mngr. |
| Agronomist | Geographic Info. Systems Specialist | Public Affairs Mngr. |
| Biologist | Grass Roots Coordinator | Quality Control Analyst |
| Cattle Buyer | Human Resources Professional | Remediation Specialist |
| Conservationist | Hydrogeologist | Seed Analyst |
| County Extension Director | Laboratory Researcher | Soil Conservationist/Engineer |
| Ecotourism Coordinator | Lobbyist | Statistician |
| Environmental Educator | Naturalist | Vocational/Agriculture Teacher |
| Environmental Planner | Nursery Owner | Water Resources Mngr. |
| Fish Hatchery Mngr. | Park Conservationist | Watershed Technologist |
| Firewarden | Park Superintendent | Wildlife Mngr. |
Types of Employers
| Private & Nonprofit Organizations | ||
| Agricultural Products Manufacturers | Engineering Firms | Pharmaceutical Firms |
| Colleges/Universities | Environmental Firms/Groups | Public/Private Schools |
| Biotechnology Firms | Fermentation Companies | Research Centers |
| Botanical Gardens | Forest Management Agencies | Watershed Associations |
| Chemical Manufacturers | Laboratories | Weed Control Companies |
| Conservation Organizations | Lumber/Paper Companies | Wholesale Distributers |
| Consulting Groups | Nature Conservancies | World Wildlife Fund |
| Crop/Soil Management Firms | Nature Science Centers | |
| Government Agencies | ||
| Agricultural Research Stations | Dept. of Agriculture | Peace Corps |
| Bureau of Land Management | Dept. of Environmental Protection | Shade Tree Commission |
| Bureau of Reclamation | Dept. of Interior | Soil Conservation Service |
| Consumer Affairs Dept. | Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife | Teach for America |
| Conservation Dept. | NASA | U.S. Forest Service |
| Cooperative Extension Services | National Institutes of Health | |
| County Greenway Organization | National Science Foundation | |
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| First Jobs of Recent Graduates | ||
| Agricultural Sales Rep., Lesco, Inc. | Owner, Alpha Laser | |
| Aquatic Toxicologist/Biologist, Aqua Survey, Inc. | Organic Farmer | |
| Client Service Representative, Prudential | Park Ranger, Yellowstone National Park | |
| County Park Manager | Parks Conservationist, East Brunswick Township | |
| Environ. Educator, Stonybrook Millstone Watershed Assoc. | Program Administrator, Delaware & Raritan Greenway | |
| Environ. Specialist, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection | Rehabilitation Director, International Bird Research Center | |
| Field Researcher, Rutgers University - Cook College | Research Assistant, Fisheries & Wildlife, Univ. of Missouri | |
| Fish & Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service | Resource Interpretive Specialist at Liberty State Park | |
| Forest Fire Lookout, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture | Sales Associate, Agway | |
| Forestry Technician | Soil Conservationist, USDA Natural Resources | |
| Land Steward, New Jersey Conservancy Foundation | Technician, ARC of Somerset County | |
| Naturalist, Trailside Nature & Science Center | Waterfowl Technician, NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife | |
| Watershed Ambassador | ||
| Jobs of Experienced Alumni | ||
| Account Mngr., B. Shehadi & Sons | Environmental Specialist, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection | |
| Agricultural Resource Specialist, State Agriculture Development Committee | Environmental Toxicologist, Roy F. Weston, Inc. | |
| Aquatic GIS Research Specialist, Cornell University (MS Nat. Res. Mgmt.) | Extension Forestry Specialist, North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service (MS Forestry) | |
| Asst. Director, NJ State Park Service (MS Nat. Res. Mgmt.) | Manager, Anadromous Fish Div., American Literal Society | |
| Associate Forester, Richard D. Goodenough Assoc. Inc. | Mngr., Volunteer Services, Liberty Science Center | |
| Computer Specialist, USDA | Owner, Agserve Land Management (MS Entomology) | |
| Conservation Officer, NJ Div. of Fish, Game & Wildlife | President, Eastern State Environmental Assoc. | |
| Database Coordinator, NJ Div. of Fish, Game & Wildlife | Principal Environ. Scientist, NJ Dept. of Envir. Protection | |
| Deputy Attorney General, NJ Div. of Criminal Justice (JD) | Resources Conservationist, USDA NRCS | |
| Director of Operations, A.G. Matthew & Co. | Senior Ecologist, Exponent Environmental Group | |
| District Mngr., T. Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation (MS Nat. Res. Mgmt.) | Senior Environmental Scientist, ICF Kaiser Engineering | |
| Deputy Attorney General, NJ Division of Criminal Justice (JD) | Senior Environmental Specialist, NJ Dept. of Environmental Protection | |
| Senior Watershed Specialist, Stonybrook Watershed Assoc. | ||
| Education Director, Stony Brook - Millstone Watershed Association | State Resource Inventory Specialist, USDA | |
| Entomologist, Dept. of the Navy (MS Entomology) | Superintendent/Parks & Forestry, Bellplain State Forest | |
| Environmental Scientist, Louis Berger & Assoc., Inc. | Trading Administrator, Trade ARBED | |
Graduate Schools Attended
| East Tennessee State, PhD, Paleontology | Rutgers University, MS, Natural Resource Management |
| Cornell University, MS Natural Resource Management | University of Cambridge-Engineering |
| Cornell University, School of Veterinary Medicine, DVM | University of Georgia, Institute of Ecology, PhD, Herpetology |
| Montclair State, MA, Teaching | University of Vermont, MS, Natural Resources |
| Penn State University, MS, Entomology | Virginia Tech, MS, Natural Resource Management |
Additionally, you may:
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Last Updated: 06/06/2011