How the Natural Resources and Conservation Major Prepares You for the Job Market
The planet is full of amazing wildlife, habitats, and other wonders that make life enriching for humans, animals, and all other organisms. Unfortunately, the rapid development of human technology has resulted in the destruction of many of the resources that the planet provides. The human footprint on the Earth is huge. As of 2002, 107.3 million acres of the 1.983 billion total acres of land area in the U.S. has been developed, and that number increases every year as the population rises and cities swell out into previously unused land, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Conservation is now more important than ever. Natural resources and conservation majors focus on conservation techniques and environmental policy. These majors take courses in resource management, statistics, biology, and other topics that will expand student knowledge on how to better maintain our wildlife and woods. The formal education received gives natural resources and conservation majors the foundation they need to successfully join the field upon graduation.

Best Career Paths for Natural Resources and Conservation Majors
Natural resources and conservation majors can work in positions that will help save the planet. The best career paths for natural resources and conservation majors are:

• Conservation Scientist. Conservation scientists are responsible for the management of the nationís natural resources. They work with the government and other land owners to determine the best ways for those landowners to develop their property with as little impact on the existing ecosystem as possible. For example, ranchers who need to clear land for their livestock to graze may consult with conservation scientists to determine the best way to do so without permanently destroying the land. Conservation scientists can specialize in a number of fields and hold special titles, such as range managers, who work primarily with open spaces like grasslands, or soil and water conservationists, who work primarily with issues of erosion and groundwater supplies. Conservation scientists make an average salary of $58,720 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Environmental Scientist. Environmental scientists conduct research into the causes of environmental stressors and develop methods of lessening those effects. For example, environmental scientists may analyze the effects of deforestation, taking into account the changes in climate, soil composition, and wildlife population that the act causes. Then, scientists may develop alternative ways to obtain the materials gathered during deforestation so that less land will need to be cleared in the future. Environmental scientists also assess waste disposal sites to ensure safety and prevent contamination, write risk reports, and develop environmental policies for the government and private companies. Environmental scientists earn an average salary of $59,750 annually, according to the Bureau.

How to Market Your Natural Resources and Conservation Degree
After spending years in the classroom and participating in internships, you finally earned your natural resources and conservation degree. Make certain that potential employers understand the value of your hard-earned education as you begin looking for work upon graduation. Elaborate on all of the skills and knowledge you obtained from your college career, such as your research, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities that were honed through projects and course work. If you participated in outside work related to conservation, mention how your classroom knowledge helped you gain insight into the field. The best way to market your natural resources and conservation degree is to prove to employers that you can take what youíve learned from your college education and apply that knowledge to real-world working situations.