Natural Resources and Environmental Management Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Explore our Natural Resources and Environmental Management academic resources, designed to support your academic aspirations.
What Can I Do With This Major? - Environmental Studies
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Unlock career potential in Natural Resources and Environmental Management! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Menu of Experiences
Sample NREM Internship Sites
Internships provide a way for you to get hands-on, supervised experience in the world of work. You are able to apply the concepts you are learning in the classroom to a work environment.
- Friends of Grand Rapids Parks
- Annis Water Resources Institute
- Michigan Nature Association
- The Nature Conservancy
- Hamlin Lake Preservation Society
- Resource Solutions Environmental
- National Park Service
- Blandford Nature Center
- West Michigan Environmental Action Council
- Ottawa Country Parks and Recreation
Read about student's NRM internship experiences
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Biology Club
Student Environmental Coalition
Wildlife Society
Soil and Water Conservation Club
Beekeeper Club
Student Organizations
Relevant Courses and Certificates for Building Skills
Developing the relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider strategic elective courses and certificates to pair with their major in order to gain additional skills.
Environmental Remote Sensing Certificate
Grant Writing
Research
Public speaking
GIS Certificate
Sustainable City and Regional Planning Certificate
Sustainable Food Systems Certificate
NRM 230, NRM 415, NRM 430 - Fire Certification
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Civic Engagement Center
NREM Study Abroad Options
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Natural Resource Management students can reap huge benefits through studying abroad by gaining hands on experience with different environments throughout the world. Abroad, students will learn to care for the land and water resources in a different setting and be better prepared to serve a multitude of people whose well-being depends on these services. Imagine studying deforestation of the Amazon in Brazil, studying the effects of climate change in China, or examining environmental pollution through a Costa Rican perspective. Step out into the world, rev up your resume, and earn academic credit by studying abroad!
Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
NREM Career Spotlights
Natural Resource Management
There are not any Natural Resource Management at this time.
- Forestry Technician – U.S. Forestry Service
- Invasive Species Strike Team – Ottawa Conservation District
- Conservation Worker – Ann Arbor Nature Area Preservation
- Biological Technician – Clearwater Fish Hatchery
- Sustainability Team Leader – Mitten Brewing Company
- Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator – Manistee County
- Resource Recovery Specialist – Department of Public Works Kent County
- Biological Service Technician – National Park Services
- Agronomy Sales – Farmers Co-op Elevator
- Survey Analyst – State of Michigan
- Resource Conservationist – USDA/NRCS
- Consulting Utility Forester – Davey Resource Group
- Ecological Restoration Technician – Cardno JFNew
- Environmental Compliance and Sustainability – Meijer
- Wetland, Stream, Agricultural, NEPA Specialist – Michigan Department of Transportation
- Agriculture Program Specialist – YMCA
- GIS Specialist – City of Holland
- Calibration Technician – Grand Rapids Metrology
- Associate Forester – Consumers Energy
- Sustainability Coordinator – Founders Brewery
Attend Events
Career Community- STEM
Traveling Career Quiz
August 23, 2024 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Embark on a journey of self-discovery outside of Kleiner Commons with the Career Center's student staff as your guides. First-year students, come and explore a myriad of career quizzes tailored...
JCPenney Suit Up - Fall 2024
September 29, 2024 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
All Grand Valley students and alumni are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event! This event will include options to participate virtually or in-person. In-person: Come to JCPenney at RiverTown...
GVSU Fall 2024 Career and Internship Fair
October 9, 2024 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
The Fall Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni of...
Consider joining the STEM Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
Students with a NREM degree may continue on to a graduate program. Here are some examples of programs students have pursued:
- Natural Resources Management
- Forestry
- Wildlife Biology
- Environmental Science
- Public Policy
- Sustainability
- Genetics
- Marine Biology
- Medical Science
Discover More
Join a Career Community
Watch Videos of Professionals In the Field
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Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.