If you’re interested in enrolling in one of the Master of Science: Biodiversity Conservation and Management’s stackable, graduate certificates, you might be wondering what careers in environmental science, conservation or other related fields you can pursue upon completion.
By completing all three stackable certificates plus the capstone project you’ll earn the Master of Science in Biodiversity Conservation and Management. The foundational certificate provides an introduction to the field by covering topics in biodiversity science, data management, and conservation leadership.
The program is designed to give you maximum flexibility in choosing what skills you develop, whether that’s by completing a certificate or the master’s degree.
Available certificates include:
- Graduate Certificate in Biodiversity and Conservation Science (stackable)
- Graduate Certificate in Conservation Data Management and Analysis (stackable)
- Graduate Certificate in Conservation Leadership, Policy, and Management (stackable)
- Graduate Certificate in Foundations of Biodiversity Conservation and Management (foundational)
Skills and knowledge developed in the certificates can lead to career advancement if you’re already in one of these roles, or help you land your first job in a conservation career. Some examples:
- Restoration specialist, who works to preserve areas of the environment;
- Land manager of natural areas or properties, who looks at science and applies technologies and monitoring techniques;
- Wildlife or fisheries biologist;
- Museum curator in a natural history or field museum, like the Richter Museum of Natural History at UW-Green Bay
- Community outreach specialist, who communicates conservation efforts and the importance of the environment to local communities;
- Social scientist, who studies the roles humans play in the environment, like when managing and protecting natural resources;
- Naturalist, who translates conservation information to the general public;
- Environmental educator; and
- Environmental planner, who studies the environment and works to mitigate potentially negative impacts.
The World Economic Forum says “nature-positive economic models in key sectors” could provide up to 400 million jobs by 2030, making conservation careers more relevant than ever. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of environmental scientists and specialists and employment of conservation scientists and foresters is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
What If I Don’t Have a Background in Conservation or Science?
While many students in the program already work in conservation or other science and biodiversity-related fields, there are just as many who hail from different backgrounds and bring their skills and experience in various fields to the program, creating a unique learning experience for all students.
“A lot of students that are in certificate areas and in the program are coming from non-science and non-conservation backgrounds,” says Amy Carrozino-Lyon, a restoration scientist and faculty member for the Biodiversity and Conservation Management program. “It’s very common. Maybe [science] is a passion of yours you’ve had since you were young and you’re circling back around to find a way to use skills you already have that will impact the environment and conservation.”
Completing a certificate also shows future employers that you’re dedicated to learning about conservation. It could be a foot in the door for a new job or experience.
Aaron Sens, who works as a pension actuary, recently completed the Foundations certificate as a self-described passion project.
“I’ve always kind of wanted to do something for the last stage of my career that I feel is a little more helpful to society,” Aaron says. “I can’t complain about the career I’ve had so far. Paid the bills and put my kids through school. And I work with a lot of great people. But [I enrolled in the certificate program because of] a desire for something a little more meaningful in the long run.”
However, he hopes his graduate education will lead to a new career, though it would likely be one in an office–perhaps at a nonprofit or environmentally-focused organization. With his background in accounting and corporate finance, he can build on skills he already uses everyday to find a role that also intersects with his environmental interests.
“I feel like that’s kind of where I would fit into more of a leadership role,” he adds.
Where are the Biodiversity and Conservation Jobs?
The good news is that biodiversity and conservation careers are worldwide, and even if you are working locally, there is a good chance you’ll work with others across the globe. Each graduate certificate was designed with those outcomes in mind and can be a credential that you can list on your resume, indicating that you have the background and skills in particular conservation-related subject areas.
About half of the students currently enrolled in the program are from Wisconsin, with others coming from states including Washington, New York, California, Ohio, Oklahoma, Montana, and Midwest states like Minnesota and Illinois. Because the program is online, students located anywhere can enroll and experience the benefits of learning about biodiversity and conservation. While many of the course instructors are located in Wisconsin, the actual courses include national and global case studies with practical applications because conservation is global.
Conservation careers can be found in local, state, and federal government agencies, like the National Park Service or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or non-profit agencies that work on a local to global level, like The Nature Conservancy, the Wildlife Conservation Society or the Environmental Defense Fund.
While a certificate can help you build specific skills, for example, in conservation data management, the courses are also designed to allow students to choose subject matter they’d like to work with.
“If you’re interested in pollinators, and want to write a grant proposal to request a pollinator garden, you can do that in your own community,” Amy says. “You can apply it to where you live. There’s a lot of self-selective opportunities. You can choose your own species, based on where you live.”
“The skills you’re going to build will give you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge in that area and that you’ve taken courses in that area,” she adds. “It’s a good career builder for everyone and it’s very applicable beyond Wisconsin. While that’s where many of us are, we want it to be relevant for you.”
The certificates provide opportunities for students who are not interested or do not need to complete a master’s degree, whether they’re fulfilling personal goals or seeking a way to brush up or add new skills to their resume.
Career Resources for Students Seeking Conservation Jobs
If you’re seeking additional career advice, the UW-Green Bay career services department can assist students in the program with questions. Advisers on staff with science backgrounds can also help with specific needs.
The capstone is ultimately an opportunity for you to pursue an experiential project on a topic that’s of great interest to you, potentially with a conservation-oriented organization. This opportunity is a great way to progress your career or transition into a new role.
In the Capstone Prep course, BCM 790, typically taken in the semester before the capstone, students will have an opportunity to work with faculty on their resumes and a cover letter for conservation-specific jobs – a benefit of pursuing all three graduate certificates for the master’s degree.
Are you interested in pursuing a certificate in the Biodiversity Conservation and Management program? Contact an enrollment adviser today to learn more about which path is right for you.