College Major Spotlight: Natural Resource Management Degrees
What do Natural Resource Management Degrees offer?
Natural Resource Management degrees train individuals to manage the use and development of forest and rangelands as well as help protect them. Natural resource management degrees also teach individuals rules, regulations and advisements around the use and management of land, especially nationally owned land.
What do people who graduate from Natural Resource Management Degrees do?
Natural Resource Management Degree holders work with landowners and Federal, State, and local governments to devise ways to use and improve the land while safeguarding the environment. Natural resource managers may also advise landowners and governments on recreational uses for the land. These individuals may also work to protect vast areas of rangelands, such as those found in the Western States and Alaska, in order to maximize the range’s use without damaging the environment. The natural resource manager may focus on protecting and managing forest, animals, plants, soils or entire ecosystems contained within the forest or rangeland. Three out of four individuals in this field work for Federal, Local or State governments.
Job outlook for graduates of Natural Resource Management degrees: Employment for natural resource managers is expected to grow by 5 percent during the 2006-16 decade. The Federal Government and some State governments expect a large number of workers to retire over the next decade. This is likely to create a large number of job openings for foresters and conservation scientists in government despite the projection for slower than average growth of this occupation in all State, local, and Federal governments combined. However, the best opportunities for foresters and conservation scientists will be in consulting. Government and businesses are increasingly contracting out forestry and conservation services to companies that specialize in providing them.
Earnings:
Median annual earnings of conservation scientists in May 2006 were $54,970. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,950 and $68,460. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,860, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $80,260. Median annual earnings of foresters in 2006 were $51,190. The middle 50 percent earned between $40,870 and $62,290. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,490, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $74,570.
In 2006, most bachelor’s degree graduates entering the Federal Government as foresters, range managers, or soil conservationists started at $28,862 or $35,752, depending on academic achievement. Those with a master’s degree could start at $43,731 or $52,912. Holders of doctorates could start at $63,417. Beginning salaries were slightly higher in selected areas where the prevailing local pay level was higher. In 2007, the average Federal salary for foresters was $65,964; for soil conservationists, $64,284; and for rangeland managers, $60,828.
Conservation scientists and foresters who work for Federal, State, and local governments and large private firms generally receive more generous benefits than do those working for smaller firms. Governments usually have good pension, health, and leave plans.
What type of Natural Resource Management degree should you consider?
The Society of American Foresters accredits about 50 degree programs throughout the country. Curricula focus on four areas: forest ecology and biology, measurement of forest resources, management of forest resources, and public policy. Students should balance general science courses such as ecology, biology, tree physiology, taxonomy, and soil formation with technical forestry courses, such as forest inventory, wildlife habitat assessment, remote sensing, land surveying, GPS technology, integrated forest resource management, forest protection, and silviculture, which is the care and cultivation of forest trees. In addition, mathematics, statistics, and computer science courses are recommended. Courses in resource policy and administration, specifically forest economics and business administration, are also helpful. Forestry curricula increasingly include courses on wetlands analysis and sustainability and regulatory issues because prospective foresters need a strong grasp of Federal, State, and local policy issues and an understanding of complex environmental regulations.
Consider taking the myUsearch college match quiz to find the right Natural Resource Management degree for you.
Source: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos048.htm
