Professionals shaking hands

With a degree from NRES, you are prepared to make a real difference as an environmental professional with a solid foundation in scientific principles, hands-on experience, and the ability to work effectively with the public. 

Our graduates work for a variety of sectors, including Fortune 500 companies, consulting firms, government agencies, research institutions, non-profits, and more. 

Your career could be primarily based in the outdoors, in an office, a laboratory, or a combination of these - the possibilities are endless!

Not sure what direction is best for you? We offer a career exploration course as well as multiple career counselors and faculty advisors to help you hone your passions. Most of our graduates start their careers immediately after graduation, and about 30% go on to pursue advanced degrees.

Check out some examples of the jobs our graduates have landed below.

    Examples of Job Titles

    • Arborists & Foresters
    • Aquarium coordinators
    • Carbon neutral program directors
    • Conservation biologists
    • Conservation officers
    • Corporate sustainability managers
    • Environmental attorneys
    • Environmental consultants
    • Environmental educators
    • Environmental engineers
    • Environmental justice managers
    • Fisheries specialists
    • GIS/GPS Technicians
    • Health inspectors
    • Hydrologists
    • Industrial hygienists
    • Park rangers
    • Research ecologists
    • Urban biodiversity directors
    • Water resources managers
    • Wildlife ecologists

    Career Resources

    When it comes to finding a job, we have many resources available to students to ensure they are prepared for the job application process.

    Campus Centers and Services

    The University of Illinois Career Center offers a full range of programs, services, resources and counseling to assist all students and alumni of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, regardless of academic affiliation. The Career Center also runs the job posting platform Handshake @ Illinois, which can alert students when jobs pertaining to their field are posted.

    ACES students can also take advantage of the College of ACES Career Services, which offers job search skills development as well as access to on-campus internship and full-time job interviews with companies recruiting on-campus. Career Services can also aid students applying to graduate programs.

    In addition to the College of ACES Career Services, the University of Illinois also offers additional career services. You can learn about specific college offices, career readiness competencies, and how to articulate your experiences into valuable resume building content. For more information visit careerservices.illinois.edu.

    NRES Resources

    Students in NRES can also have certain departmental resources available to them:

    Professional Organizations

    We also recommend looking into the following professional organizations to grow your network:

    Certifications

    Many careers in NRES-related fields have certification programs that enhance your credentials and impress employers. Many require a certain amount of post-education experience and continuing professional development.

    While you will not be able to attain many of these certifications with just your NRES coursework, you can choose coursework during your degree program that will provide you with the background you need to pursue certification after you have gained the necessary experience.

    You can find certification requirements for many professions linked below: