Once you have decided you would like to pursue a career related to natural resource management, creating a career preparedness plan will help you make the most of your time as a student at Boise State University. In creating your plan, consider how to reach the goals that will make you an ideal candidate.
Meet the requirements for your chosen major:
- Required general education courses
- Required courses for the major
- Additional elective credits required
Meet any academic requirements of your chosen career in the federal service
- Is your chosen major is acceptable? Some career paths require very narrowly defined degrees.
- Take any required courses listed for the related occupational series.
Build transferable work experience
- Research opportunities for students in your field of interest as soon as possible.
- Seek summer internships early in the spring semesters.
- When you find an opportunity that excites you, create reminders for application deadlines, and if required, ask for letters of reference as soon as possible.
- While you are working or volunteering, draft a summary of tasks performed and skills learned.
- Condense these summaries for your resume’s description of the experience.
Network with professionals in your chosen field
- Join professional associations.
- Attend local meetings and conferences of interest.
- Attend career fairs.
- Request informational interviews.
Road map example
In this example roadmap for a Wildlife Refuge Specialist, the document is split into two columns. The first column contains the academic plan and outlines what classes are taken each semester to complete the Biology Ecology, Evolution and Behavior emphasis degree.
The second column outlines the experience plan and identifies activities to complete each semester to gain relevant experience such as exploring and joining student groups, creating a resume, and applying for summer opportunities.
Download Wildlife Refuge Specialist (PDF)
Seek help from the Career Center
To craft a useful career preparedness plan, it’s critical to consider your unique situation, and career counselors are in the best position to help you create a plan that both excites you and prepares you for professional life. Whether or not you know exactly what you want your career to look like, start thinking about the possibilities early and often. Schedule an appointment with a career counselor early on and any time your desired career path changes, and take full advantage of the Career Center’s many resources.
While some students enter Boise State University with a major already in mind, many students do not decide on a major until their sophomore year or may end up choosing a different major than they originally expected to pursue in their junior year. No matter where you are in your major and career decision making, the Career Center can help.
- Virtual Career Center: Career and Major Decision-Making and Planning
- Virtual Career Center: Preparing for a Job or Internship Search
- What Can I Do With This Major?
- Handshake
Additional Resources
These external resources are excellent sources of information on careers in natural resources, federal hiring, and federal internship programs. If you have any questions about pursuing a career in natural resources management, we’d be happy to speak with you or connect you to someone who can help. You can reach us by emailing andrus@boisestate.edu or calling 208-426-3784.
A How-To Guide for Pursuing a Career in Natural Resources
Produced by the Colorado Youth Corps Association and Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, this guide provides useful advice for students seeking federal and state careers in natural resources fields.
Go Government’s guide to the federal application process
Concise advice on federal resume writing, application questionnaires, the interviewing process, and more.
- A suite of career resources for young adults sponsored by the Department of Labor.
- Take an interest assessment, review occupation profiles, and learn how to structure a cover letter.
O*NET maintains detailed career profiles that project the Department of Labor’s outlook for demand and list common skill sets, areas of knowledge, and average educational attainment.
University of Idaho Masters of Natural Resources Environmental Education and Science Communication
U of I offers a one year master’s degree (or a certificate program) in science communication and environmental education. More information at the U of I Masters of Natural Resources Environmental Education and Science Communication site or Download the Grad Program Poster (PDF). U of I offers two scholarships designed to support diversity and inclusion efforts.