After Graduation

Environmental Studies graduates can work in a wide variety of fields including conservation and natural resource management; energy policy; environmental advocacy; consulting, economics, education, engineering, health, journalism, law, or policy; green architecture and green design; parks and recreation; waste management; toxicology; and wildlife biology. The range of careers is expanding and the demand for experts in the field is growing. In addition, graduates can also pursue law school or graduate school in a variety of fields related to the environment. Finally, several service programs, such as Peace Corps and Teach for America, are open to graduates with interests in the environment and social justice. Students should consult with their advisor early on to determine the best course of undergraduate study at IWU to prepare them for pursuing their career goals.

To learn what ES alumni have done with their degrees, or contact alumni in fields of interest, check out our featured alumni.

Career Directories          Graduate Programs          Service Programs

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Career Directories

Chicagoland Environmental Network
Cyber-Sierra
EarthWorks
The Environment Directory
Environmental Career Opportunities
Environmental Career Center 
Green Dream Jobs
Idealist's Non-Profit Jobs Directory
Society of Wetland Scientists (wetland-related jobs)
Texas A&M's Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Sciences Job Board
USA-JOBS (government)

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Graduate Programs

The following schools offer highly respected graduate programs in various environmental fields. This list is by no means comprehensive, so be sure to check out the graduate and law school resources located on the Environmental Studies bulletin board and in the file outside Dr. Jahiel's office, or the graduate school directories listed below.

The Princeton Review offers helpful timelines to guide students along the graduate application process. View the graduate school and law school application timelines.

Environmental Graduate Program Directories
Colby College's List of Graduate Programs
GradSchools
Graduate Guide
Macalester College's Recommended Graduate Programs by Concentration
Penn State's List of Graduate Programs
Western Washington University's Guide to Graduate Programs

General Environmental Programs
Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs
Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences
Indiana University's School of Public and Environmental Affairs
University of California at Berkeley's College of Natural Resources
University of Illinois at Springfield's Environmental Studies Program
University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability
University of Wisconsin's Department of Urban and Regional Planning
Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies

Environmental Architecture and Engineering
Case Western Reserve
Columbia University
Dartmouth College
University of Virginia's School of Architecture
Washington University in St. Louis

Environmental Law
Lewis and Clark Law School
Pace Law School
Vermont Law School
University of Maryland School of Law
University of Colorado Law School

Environmental Programs Abroad
Lund University's Environmental Studies and Sustainable Science Program, Sweden
Wageningen University's Environmental Governance and Management Program or
Environmental Policy Program, Netherlands
University of Leeds' School of Earth and Environment - Various Programs,  UK
The London School of Economics' Environmental Policy and Regulation Program, UK
Institute of Social Studies' Environmental and Sustainable Development Program Specialization, Netherlands  
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam's Environment and Resources Management Program, Netherlands
Keele University's Environmental Politics Program, UK

 

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Service Programs

AmeriCorps is an intensive service program that places volunteers in education, public safety, health and environmental assignments. AmeriCorps members, who receive a living and educational allowance, serve with more than 2,000 non-profits, public agencies, and faith-based and community organizations.

City Year is a year-long program of full-time, rigorous community service, leadership development, and civic engagement. Corps members serve as teachers' aides in public schools, run after-school programs, do physical service, run service-learning programs, and teach health and public-safety curricula. Corps members receive a weekly stipend and  are eligible for additional funds toward college tuition or job training.

Green Corps hires recent college graduates to launch their organizing and advocacy careers through hands-on training and experience. The program is a one-year, full time, paid opportunity.

Peace Corps volunteers work in a developing country for 27 months in the following areas: education, youth outreach, and community development; business development; agriculture and environment; health and HIV/AIDS; and information technology. Volunteers receive a monthly living allowance and a stipend upon completion.

Public Allies participants work four days each week for ten months at a nonprofit organization to strengthen the community by working in areas such as youth development, community development, public health, and economic development. Each Ally is provided a monthly stipend as well as an educational grant.

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world.

Teach for America recruits high-achieving seniors from top colleges to teach for two years in inner-city or rural schools. Students do not need to have a background in Education, and receive a salary and benefits.

The White House Fellow Program offers exceptional young men and women first-hand experience working at the highest levels of the Federal government. White House Fellows typically spend a year working as full-time, paid special assistants to senior White House Staff, the Vice President, Cabinet Secretaries and other top-ranking government officials.

WorldTeach arranges for volunteers to teach for one year in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Namibia, the Marshall Islands, and China. There is also a summer program to teach in all these countries. No teaching experience is require