Conservation jobs are more abundant than ever in more countries than ever, according to a recent study published in the journal Conservation Biology. Though fields such as conservation, sustainability, and environmental sciences need scholars, positions are most plentiful in government, nonprofits, and the private sector, where applied knowledge is highly valued.
UW-Madison caters to this need with many flexible professional master’s programs, including:
- Environmental Conservation (M.S., Environmental Conservation)
- Environmental Engineering (M.Eng., Civil and Environmental Engineering)
- Environmental Observation and Informatics (M.S., Environmental Conservation)
- Environmental Science and Engineering (M.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering)
- Geographic Information Systems and Web Map Programming (M.S., Cartography and GIS)
- Resource and Energy Demand Analysis (M.A., Agricultural and Applied Economics)
- Sustainable Systems Engineering (M.Eng., Engineering)
Several of these programs, such as Environmental Science and Engineering and Resource and Energy Demand Analysis, can be completed in a year, allowing graduates to advance their careers quickly. Plus, a number are online or have online components, offering students an especially convenient way to learn.
Down-to-earth training, across-the-globe career possibilities
Tailored to working professionals and individuals eager to specialize or switch careers, these programs equip students with practical skills they can put to use right away.
According to Jane Lucas, Evan Gora, and Alfonso Alanso, authors of the Conservation Biology article, nonacademic conservation jobs “emphasized the need for excellent written and oral communication, as well as project management experience.” Language and interpersonal skills were especially important for succeeding at these jobs in developing countries, while jobs in industrialized nations placed a premium on technical skills.
With nearly 200 countries committing to decreasing carbon emissions at the 2015 IPCC Climate Conference, conservation jobs are plentiful in nations with varied levels of economic development. The article’s authors stress that conservation students need more help identifying the specialized skills and training the global job market demands, arguing that “educating students on how to prepare for international positions and collaborations will increase both their future prospects and the quality of conservation efforts worldwide.”
UW-Madison’s programs readily incorporate global perspectives, helping students locate career paths in the U.S. and abroad. For instance, the Environmental Observation and Informatics program builds upon the university’s relationships with government agencies, businesses, and nonprofits around the world by offering courses such as Remote Sensing for International Development.
The article also noted the high quality of UW-Madison’s Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, which offers the Environmental Conservation and Environmental Observation and Informatics programs.
For more information on UW-Madison’s professional graduate degree programs, see here.