Description | Skills | Experience | Sample Careers/Work Settings | Salary
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Description of Major

Would you like to help solve environmental problems? Manage natural resources? The Natural Resources major enables a student to get hands on, practical experience with actual management of natural resources. The degree provides a comprehensive science based program covering the principles and knowledge needed to measure and monitor the status of natural resources and the environment. The Natural Resources concentration is an interdepartmental degree program. Majors can focus on either Ecosystem Assessment or Policy and Administration.

Ecosystem Assessment Concentration: Students learn how to inventory and describe the characteristics of natural ecosystems and evaluate the impacts of management practices. Ecosystem assessment or environmental impact assessment is an extremely important and somewhat specialized arena in the environmental field that requires understanding of ecosystem structure and processes; students will learn to identify, measure, inventory, and describe ecosystems; and apply standard evaluation and classification systems such as wildlife habitat evaluation procedures and the federal wetland delineation criteria.

Policy and Administration: Students acquire the knowledge and skills to manage natural resources programs in a variety of settings and organizations with an emphasis on public agencies. The advanced courses of the curriculum provide a broad background in economics, policy, government, public administration, and natural resources management. Courses include economics as well as government and public administration.

Courses include:

Ecology, Natural Resource Measurements, Geology, Forest Science, Natural Resource Management, Soil Science, Resource and Environmental Economics

The Undergraduate Catalog shows a listing of Natural Resources courses, and the degree audit shows the curricula requirements for this major. If you are interested in expanding your career options, consider double-majoring and/or adding a minor.

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Skills You Develop In This Major

• Assessment
• Critical Thinking
• Problem solving
• Measuring and monitoring

Gaining Career-Related Experience

You are strongly encouraged to gain career-related experience prior to graduation in the form of an internship, summer job, or co-op.

Co-op is a program of alternating semesters of work and school. Paid work terms of increasing responsibility enable students to graduate with the minimum equivalent of one year of relevant work experience. Full-time enrollment during the semester prior to the first work term is required. You can begin co-op after completion of at least two semesters (30 credit hours) at NC State (one semester for transfers and graduate students). An NC State transcript must show grades and admission to a degree program. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.50 (3.00 for graduate students) is required. The Co-op Office web site lists the Orientation Schedule, which is the first step to program participation.

Internships are typically full-time during the summer or (for some) part-time during the semester. You can start interning or seeking summer jobs related to your field, whenever you are ready. The University Career Center provides services to help you get started.

Participate in ePack, the Career Center's on-line system that connects employees with students through internship postings, on-campus interviews, information sessions, and resume searches. You may activate your ePack account at any time.

Internship Example

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Sample Career Titles and Possible Work Settings

The following lists provide a brief sampling of the kind of jobs and work environments you might find with a degree in this major. These titles and work settings are by no means an exhaustive listing. Because the world of work is always changing, over time job titles and work settings can change. The below listing is provided in hopes of giving you initial insight into a particular career field that would employ the skills and knowledge gained through this major.

Sample Career Titles	Sample Work Settings
Consultant	Environmental Firm
Environmental Regulation	State or Federal Government
Environmental Restoration	Self-employed
Research Technician	University
Director	Non-profit organization
Lobbyist	Non-profit organization

Careers Needing Advanced Degrees

• Professor
• Researcher
• Director of State or Federal Agency

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Salary

Baccalaureate - $ 31.037 national average; check with the department for more information
From National Asso. of Colleges & Employers-July 2010

The salary listed above is an average starting salary based on skills and experiences gained at the Bachelors level. Keep in mind that salary level typically increases with additional experience and/or educational degrees.

Furthermore, you may have the opportunity to mold an entry-level position into your dream job and subsequently increase your salary as you learn more, add responsibilities and gain experience.

NC State Related Organizations & Clubs

CFR Council
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Adrianna Kirkman, 515.6191, adrianna_kirkman@ncsu.edu

National Association of Environmental Professionals - Student Chapter
Faculty Adviser: Dr. Bob Bruck, 515.2086, bob_bruck@ncsu.edu

Professional Resources (Outside NC State)

These resources include organizations, clubs, and conferences not affiliated with NC State and can be an important part of your career pursuit.

• National Association of Environmental Professionals

Links to Related Resources

• University Career Center
• For more specific information on occupation/job skills, expectations, and salary, go to the Occupational Information Network site and search for a specific job. (hint: for salary info, select a report on one of the jobs and find the wages link at the bottom of the page.)
• The list of available Minors at NC State.
• Experimental Courses Listing (a.k.a. Special Topics)
• Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
• College of Natural Resources
• Cooperative Education Program
  

Next Steps

Need more information about this major? Contact the expert on this major,
Coordinator of Advising.

Don't want this major? Continue exploring the available majors.
Still unsure of your major and/or not sure what to do next?
You know you want this major. What do you need to do now?

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Last updated: 12th of October, 2010 at 9:52:08 AM

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